How do resource smoothing and resource leveling differ from each other?
Resource smoothing aims to maintain original project deadlines while increasing project costs. On the other hand, resource leveling does not alter the existing resource capacity but instead emphasizes rescheduling, which may have an impact on project deadlines.
The accompanying diagram, sourced from the APM Body of Knowledge, provides a comparison between the two approaches.
Resource levelling and smoothing options (APM, 2019, p. 179)
© Association for Project Management (APM) (2019) APM Body of Knowledge (7th edn), Princes Risborough: APM.
At a more significant level of impact, certain projects undergo more than just rescheduling or resource allocation adjustments. They may undergo a reevaluation of their project scope by the project sponsor. This involves a broader analysis of the entire project and requires reconsideration of how time, cost, and quality interact within the project.
A prime example is the review of large-scale infrastructure projects like railways. Such projects often undergo rescaling due to increased costs, resulting in significant deviations from the original plans. The consequences of these revisions can affect the client and a wider range of stakeholders and may even result in the loss of subsequent work opportunities (Kerzner, 2009, p. 529).
Now, let’s consider MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event that you have been following in the course videos thus far. When examining the provided figure, do you think it would be feasible to implement a resource leveling approach in this scenario?
Share your thoughts and join the discussion below.
© The Open University
Using the scenario of MTD and the Glasgow event, it is feasible to apply a resource leveling even though there is the possibility of encountering challenges.
Resource leveling has to do with adjusting the project schedule to ensure that resource usage is distributed evenly over time, which can lead to prevention of resource overloads and delays. In the context of the Glasgow event, where MTD is involved in water installation, this approach could help in managing resources more effectively and ensuring that they are not overextended during peak periods.
However, events could have fixed deadlines and specific requirements, which could make it difficult to adjust schedules without impacting other aspects of the project. Additionally, the availability of certain resources, such as equipment or skilled labor, may be limited and not easily adjustable.
Therefore, while resource leveling could be considered for the Glasgow event, it would require careful planning and coordination to ensure that it does not adversely affect project timelines, quality, or stakeholder satisfaction.
Implementing a resource leveling approach in a water installation events company like MTD can be feasible if there are significant fluctuations in resource demand over time.
Resource leveling aims to balance the allocation of resources such as manpower, equipment, and materials to avoid peaks and valleys in resource utilization, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased costs.
If MTD experiences fluctuations in demand for resources due to varying project schedules or seasonal trends, resource leveling could help optimize resource utilization and improve overall project efficiency.
Considering the MTD events company and Glasgow event. It is feasible to implement a resource leveling approach because it helps to define the project scope including all tasks and activities required to complete it. It Identifies all the resources required to complete each task or activity within the project scope. Using resource leveling techniques would optimize resource utilization and avoid overallocation or underutilization of resources. This may involve adjusting task durations, rescheduling tasks, or reallocating resources to different tasks as needed.
Applying resource levelling approach for a water installation event with MTD would be
because the Resource levelling technique aims to optimize resource utilization and ensure a more balanced workload across projects.
Using the resource levelling approach will lead to;
• Minimized conflicts and delays.
• Leads to a smoother operation
• Reduces bottlenecks
• Reduced risk of project overrun
In some situations however it may not be feasible to level resources if there are specific requirements for the project with regards to specific timelines.
Considering the scenario of MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event, applying a resource leveling approach might be feasible but could encounter challenges.
Resource leveling involves adjusting the project schedule to ensure that resource usage is distributed evenly over time, which can help to prevent resource overloads and delays. In the context of the Glasgow event, where MTD is involved in water installation, this approach could help in managing resources more effectively and ensuring that they are not overextended during peak periods.
However, there are factors unique to event management projects like the Glasgow event that may complicate resource leveling. Events often have fixed deadlines and specific requirements, making it difficult to adjust schedules without impacting other aspects of the project. Additionally, the availability of certain resources, such as equipment or skilled labor, may be limited and not easily adjustable.
Therefore, while resource leveling could be considered for the Glasgow event, it would require careful planning and coordination to ensure that it does not adversely affect project timelines, quality, or stakeholder satisfaction.
Considering the MTD project cost, resource leveling is the most suitable for this project because it will maintain the initial projects; however it will affect the project deadline compared to resource smoothing which can increase the cost capacity of the projects.
Considering MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event, implementing a resource leveling approach could be viable based on the project’s unique circumstances. Resource leveling entails balancing resource utilization across the project timeline to prevent uneven peaks and troughs in allocation.
Contrarily, resource leveling maintains the current resource capacity but prioritizes rescheduling tasks to prevent resource conflicts. Its objective is to ensure resource usage stays within available capacity limits. While effective in averting shortages and bottlenecks, this method could necessitate adjustments to the project schedule, possibly causing delays in project delivery.
Overall, while resource leveling could be feasible for the Glasgow event, it would require careful planning and consideration of various factors to ensure its successful implementation.
MTD wouldn’t be able to use resource levelling as it directly impacts the time taken for quality eater to be delivered at the venue. Being a lobal event of that magnitude, the dates cannot be postponed. So, they can work on resource smoothing or modifying the scope of work to reduce the water quantity/or water points at the venue.
Well , To me i don’t think a resource leveling approach will be a good option for these companies because they are companies that renders services to a event. So trying to postpone might not be a good thing for their profile buh i suggest they add more resources because it will be better
I do not think a resource leveling approach will work because MTD is serving event programmes that are already fixed with set dates and publicity done on event dates. This will make it difficult to move deadline but instead resource smoothing becomes the only way out.