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
Resource leveling is the practice of adjusting a project’s start and end dates to accommodate for limited resources. Resource smoothing, meanwhile, entails adjusting the project’s activities to ensure work is completed according to existing timelines
For MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event, Resource smoothing is the strategy they could adopt because it focuses on preserving deadlines. Managing project for a large scale event requires that the project deadline be met irrespective of the risks or challenges faced in the process of executing it. Cost, floats and other budgeted resources might increase but it should not affect the project deadline as it could affect the sponsors event.
Based on the past experience, complexity of the project, the project scope and unpredicted environment, rescheduling resources within their available capacity will be a better option for MTD project.
This approach leverage on stable workload in order to avoid the risk of stress.
Resource leveling focuses on rescheduling with a possible impact/ extension on the project deadline. This would not be feasible to implement by MTD during the Glasgow event because, the deadline of the event cannot be changed or shifted.
Applying resource smoothing would be more advisable even if it meant increased additional project costs, as this would preserve the planned end date.
Resource leveling might be challenging to fully implement for MTD’s Glasgow event due to its fixed date. Unlike projects with flexible deadlines, rescheduling activities to match resource availability could be impractical.
However, resource smoothing could be beneficial. By adjusting start and finish dates within the event’s timeframe, MTD can aim to balance the workload and prevent resource overloads. For example, if setup tasks can be slightly delayed without impacting the event’s success, it could alleviate pressure on the team.
Ultimately, a combination of both approaches, tailored to the event’s specific constraints, might be most effective.
Oku Blessing
Cohort 17
Team 8
Resource levelling involves a realignment/ balancing of the workload on resources with an extension of the deadline of the project. With this in mind, this is ill advised for the Glasgow event as they would want to adhere to the timelines they have. Resource smoothing would be a better option with preserving the planned duration, with additional cost implications. Should the costs be above budget, then this should be communicated to the client to see if the scope can be reviewed to meet the cost demands.
However, should they need to rely on resources levelling, MTD can split an activity into non- sequential pieces to free up the overload and also delay the non-critical activities as long as there’s room within the available floats. Throughout the adjustment process, they should be communicating and transparent with the client to ensure that they are on the same page.
If you want to get quality work done, it won’t be cheap and it will take time but if you want it fast, you won’t get quality.
Rowena Avoh
Cohort 17 Team 9
Resource Leveling and Smoothing for MTD.
Resource leveling might be challenging to apply fully to MTD’s Glasgow event. Unlike projects with flexible deadlines, the event has a fixed date. Rescheduling activities to match resource availability could be impractical.
However, resource smoothing could be beneficial. By adjusting start and finish dates within the event’s timeframe, MTD can aim to balance workload and prevent resource overloads. For instance, if setup tasks can be slightly delayed without impacting the event’s success, it could alleviate pressure on the team.
Finally, a combination of both approaches, considering the event’s specific constraints, might be most effective.
Resource Leveling and Smoothing for MTD
Resource leveling might be challenging to apply fully to MTD’s Glasgow event. Unlike projects with flexible deadlines, the event has a fixed date. Rescheduling activities to match resource availability could be impractical.
However, resource smoothing could be beneficial. By adjusting start and finish dates within the event’s timeframe, MTD can aim to balance workload and prevent resource overloads. For instance, if setup tasks can be slightly delayed without impacting the event’s success, it could alleviate pressure on the team.
Finally, a combination of both approaches, considering the event’s specific constraints, might be most effective.
I think it would not be feasible to apply a resource levelling approach as it will have an impact on the deadline of the project so much likely extra resources will likely be incorporated into the project so as to meet up with the client’s expectations (at extra costs).
NDIDI IFEDIBA NWOKEDI
COHORT 17, TEAM 5
Resource smoothing focuses on sustaining projected deadlines while raising project expenses, whereas resource levelling does not modify present capacity but instead focuses on rescheduling, which may affect project deadlines.