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
The resource leveling approach will be the wrong approach when it comes to the MTD due to deadline and resources available.
Due to the possible impact on project deadline resource leveling integrates, adopting it to the MTD water installation in Glasgow is definitely a wrong turn.
Resource leveling may be a viable strategy for MTD’s Glasgow event, provided that the project allows for flexible deadlines. This approach aids in optimizing resource utilization and mitigating the risk of over-allocation. Nevertheless, given the time-sensitive nature of the event, any delays resulting from leveling could adversely affect the overall schedule. Therefore, the choice to implement this method must take into account resource availability, the critical path, and the potential implications for time, cost, and quality.
I think it would be challenging to apply a resource levelling approach to the MTD water installation event in Glasgow due to the fixed deadline and limited resources
In the case of MTD, I think rescheduling will be a better strategy as it will create room for adequate preparation and further enhance goal accomplishment.
The water installation events company and the Glasgow event are larger projects in which costs can increase, events can be rescheduled and the deadlines can change. So, sponsors have to reconsider the matter of time, cost and quality of the project.
I think that it would be possible to apply levelling approach because these are bigger projects in which things may appear differently from the original plans.
Making use of resource levelling approach on the MTD project can still play a great role because as a top organization additional time will allow them to do the project effectively and also make a reputation for quality even though it can still cost them an additional cost.
In the case of MTD, resource levelling would be counterproductive as it would disrupt the predetermined time expected to complete the project and would bring disappointment to on the side of the sponsor of the project.
however, resource smoothing approach would be more beneficial as it would help in delivering the project at the predetermined time by working overtime and also sourcing for external or alternative water supply to maintain the steadiness of the service while trying to fix the issue, the only factor it would affect is the cost that would definitely be increased.
Peter Benedict
Using the case study of MTD and Glasglow using the resource levelling
Will be beneficial because an additional time need to be added in order to achieve the goal and resources will be made available.
I think resource levelling will be beneficial in the MTD water project because the additional time required will aid in better managing the resources and ensure better delivery.