The complexity of the optimization algorithm for staff utilization in any medium to large organization can cause major problems in meeting schedules while still keeping all of the work force in full employment, working at a level appropriate to their experience, and also giving staff an opportunity to develop new skills and experiences that will both enrich the company and also significantly contribute to the individual's job satisfaction. A prototype expert system has been developed which provides advice both on the staff suitable for a particular task and the nature of tasks suitable for a particular member of staff, while taking a holistic view of the work the organization seeks to undertake within a given time frame. The resources to be allocated were based on those of an academic computing department modelling the current staffing, teaching, and research commitments. The prototype running on an IBM PC XT was successful in achieving its original aim of ameliorating the difficulties encountered in human resource allocation in a real life situation. The major difficulties encountered were in the area of knowledge engineering and fact finding rather than design and implementation, although a production system would require a faster machine if it were to produce results in an acceptable response time. (2 figures and 10 references) (Author/EW)