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
MTD project is based on time sensitivity and deliverables, which involves all the quality they’d deliver for water outflow so here, Resource Smoothing is best for them
Resource smoothing is used when the time constraint takes priority. The objective is for the work to be completed by the required date while avoiding peaks and troughs of resource demand while resource levelling is used when limits on the availability of resources are paramount in that case for MTD project hitch in Glasgow, resource smoothing seems to be the best approach since leveling will affect the project duration and cost. Another reason being the fact that quality water supply and meeting deadline is key to MTD company, resource smoothing would work best for the company as it would not affect the deadline though it affects the cost.
Abiayi Mercy
Cohort 7
Team 6
Looking at the MTD water project, I will say that resource smoothing is the best option to go with as it will aid maintaining deadline of project delivery and also maintain the project quality.
Uchechukwu Okochua
Cohort7
Team 10
Having in mind that meeting up with the targeted deadline is aim, then resource smoothing will be right approach in order to deliver, however, the cost will definitely go higher but the quality will be maintained.
The Case study of MTD and Glasgow Event company, Resource smoothing strategy is the best strategy that sooths both. To enable both companies deliver tasks and KPI’s of target market and stakeholders and must all be done without exceeding the timeline,
Considering the scope of the project involved by MTD, resource smoothing will be the better option. The objective is to ensure job completion at the set date while peaks and troughs of resource demand are avoided.
Considering MTD’s work scope, resource leveling will not work due to stakeholders expectations and concerns , however, resource smoothing will be a perfect fit.
It is not feasible to apply resource levelling to the MTD water installation project for the Glasgow event, since resource levelling may lead to an extension to the water installation project which may have a direct causal effect on the Glasgow event.
MTD should consider resource smoothing and as such:
i. Use overtime
ii. Add new resources
iii. Combine both I and ii stated above.
On the contrary, Glasgow may choose to revisit the project scope.
Michael O. Nwenne
Cohort 7
Group 6.
Looking at MTD project scope, resource smoothing will be the option.
Yes, a resource leveling approach can be applied to balance the workload of resources across the project. Resource leveling is a technique that adjusts the project schedule to balance the demand for resources with their availability. By using resource leveling, we can ensure that resources are not over-allocated or under-utilized, which can help to reduce project delays and costs. The resource leveling approach involves identifying resource requirements, analyzing resource availability, and adjusting the project schedule to balance the workload of resources. This approach can be applied to the MTD Project regardless of its size or complexity.
Looking at MTD project scope, resource smoothing will be the option. Their objective is to complete the work by the required date while avoiding peaks and troughs of resource demand.