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
PAUL NWEKE
COHORT 16
TEAM 9.
Considering the MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow and the provided figure, Resource Smoothing. This aims to maintain original project deadlines even though project costs will increase.
The Resource Leveling does not alter the existing resource capacity but emphasizes rescheduling, which may have an impact on project deadlines, it is better not to use or apply here. This will lead to customer dissatisfaction and loosing of stakeholders and projects as well.
Using resource leveling for the MTD project won’t be feasible as it’s operating within a fixed deadline, instead resource smoothing is best advised
Based on the figure above, Resource leveling, which prioritizes rescheduling, may lead to client dissatisfaction and potentially jeopardize the success of planned outcomes. Additionally, this could result in missed opportunities for future collaborations with the company.
Resource smoothing is best in this Glasgow and MTD events. There is a fixed date and using resource levelling won’t be right
Nnadi Stella Chidinma
Team 7
In the MTD and Glasgow event, there’s a date for the program and resource levelling will not be the best at it could affect project deadline and in turn affect client and customer relationship.
Resource smoothing is better as it meets the planned deadline but only increasing project costs.
This should be discussed with the clients to know which fits the client.
My name is Charles Ntanta. Yes i will prefer to apply Resource Levelling to maintain the time line for the projects. Issues like non critical activity can be delayed and extended too in so far, it will not increase the cost of the project and . If i try to smoothing, not only will it increase cost, it will equally affect getting subsequent projects in future.
Their contract was signed for an event scheduled for a specific date. This date cannot be postponed.
Which means that, as far as I’m concerned, it’s only the resource smoothing that will be applied here. The cost could go up, but the priority is really to do everything possible to meet the deadline without any loss of quality in the service to be provided.
MTD specializes in water installation events, and the Glasgow event is likely a complex, time-sensitive project with specific milestones. Such events often require various skilled resources, including:
• Planners and coordinators.
• Installation technicians.
• Support staff for logistics and customer service.
Feasibility of Resource Leveling
1. Resource Availability and Demand:
• Availability: If MTD has a limited pool of technicians or equipment, leveling could help distribute their work more evenly.
• Demand: Events like the one in Glasgow might have peak times (e.g., setup days, main event days) where resource demands are high. Leveling could help mitigate this by redistributing tasks.
2. Task Flexibility:
• Certain tasks might be flexible in their timing (e.g., preliminary site surveys, initial setups), allowing for leveling.
• Critical tasks with fixed deadlines (e.g., final installations, live event support) are less flexible, posing a challenge to leveling.
3. Project Timeline:
• If the project timeline has some buffer, leveling could be more easily implemented. However, if the event is tightly scheduled, leveling could delay critical tasks.
• Incorporating buffer periods in non-critical times could provide opportunities for leveling.
4. Resource Skills and Dependencies:
• If resources are highly specialized, reassigning tasks could be difficult. Cross-training staff might be a strategy to increase flexibility.
• Dependencies between tasks need to be carefully managed to avoid creating bottlenecks.
Practical Application for MTD
Given the above considerations, applying a resource leveling approach to MTD and the Glasgow event could be feasible under the following conditions:
• Pre-Event Planning: Identify tasks that can be moved or adjusted without impacting critical paths. Early planning is crucial to find these opportunities.
• Flexible Workforce: Cross-training employees or hiring temporary staff during peak times could help balance the workload.
• Advanced Scheduling Tools: Use project management software to visualize resource allocation and identify leveling opportunities.
• Communication: Ensure clear communication with all stakeholders about the potential adjustments to timelines and tasks.
Conclusion
While there are challenges, resource leveling could be beneficial for MTD to optimize resource use and prevent overloading staff during peak periods of the Glasgow event. Careful planning, flexibility in task scheduling, and effective use of project management tools will be key to successfully implementing this approach.
MTD project in Glasgow is for an event that already has a deadline,and for any event to be successful it is expected that all things be in place before the start date of the event . If the project must undergo any adjustments or reevaluation it should be done using the Resource smoothing this will maintain the project deadline despite the increase in cost, but at least the event will begin as the staplated time while maintaining the quality.
MTD And Glasgow project it will be feasible to implement an approach Resource leveling approach my answer is a Yes. Resource leveling may require changing task sequences or extending project deadline. Though it might increase cost due to extension of the project and enable the PM to complete project at deadline