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.
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Yes, I believe resource levelling can be applied here.
There was a conflict of information which would have caused some miscalculations. There would have been a delay but they were able to get everything right and done. This on the other hand would have led to increase in costs.
Resource levelling was best done
Resource levelling can be applied to any project that lacks enough resources. This occurs when there are many projects competing for the available resources, and when there is scarcity.
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believe that resource leveling can be applied to any project where resources are limited and there is a need to optimize their utilization. It is particularly useful when:
* There are multiple projects competing for the same resources.
* Resources are expensive or scarce.
* There are constraints on resource availability.
When you evaluate your project resources, then you can apply what is best for the situatioon.
I believe that resource leveling can be applied to any project where resources are limited and there is a need to optimize their utilization. It is particularly useful when:
* There are multiple projects competing for the same resources.
* Resources are expensive or scarce.
* There are constraints on resource availability.
When you evaluate your project resources, then you can apply what is best for the situatioon.
From the lesson, I learnt that the following strategies were used by Mr. Wootten in managing quality, resources and conflict.
At Glasgow, MTD struggled with the amount of venue and stakeholders involved. The size of the connection required at the venue was a particular source of conflict and any disruption that was going to be caused while the event was going on.
To address this conflict, communication was established with the technical department at the venue, the organizers and Scottish water to enable the company to have the size of connection they needed for the capacity of water that was going to be used during the event. R3egular meetings locally within the venues with all the stakeholders: power, water, venue and organizer. Of course, this meant that extra resources were needed.
With good communication and stakeholder management, a solution was reached, and the conflicts were resolved.
Conflicts and its potential sources
In many cases that I am aware of, conflict usually arise within the project team itself, as many people are brought together from different background and with different experiences to execute a project.
It is the responsibility of the Project Manager to adopt the right strategies in dealing with these conflicts when, not if, they occur.
No. Moving the water installations completion date would have a wider negative impact on the organizer Glasgow event.
Resource levelling option is not applicable in the case of MTD and the Glasgow event because event dates are fixed. Rather, resource smoothing option is the best in this case so as to meet deadlines.
USing resource leveling will not work for the MTD project because it has a deadline to meet, rather resources will need to be added which will make the budget to be adjusted in order to meet deadline