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
Considering the Glasgow event and MTD, the water installation events company, I think applying a resource levelling approach might be challenging. Here’s why:
Resource levelling involves rescheduling tasks to match the available resources, without changing the current capacity. However, in the context of the Glasgow event, which involves installing water systems for a large number of attendees, rescheduling tasks might not be feasible due to:
1. Time constraints: The event has a fixed timeline, and delays in installation might impact the overall event schedule.
2. Resource limitations: The company might not have the flexibility to adjust resource allocation without impacting the event’s overall quality.
3. Interdependencies: The installation process might involve interdependent tasks, making it difficult to reschedule without affecting the entire project.
Given these constraints, a resource smoothing approach, which involves increasing resources to meet the planned deadlines, might be more suitable. However, this would require careful consideration of the additional costs and potential impact on the project’s overall budget.
Rescheduling deadlines of projects most is necessary for effective delivery and this should also be considered from the inception of project planning.
After thoroughly reflecting on the difference between resource smoothing and resource levelling, I understand that resource smoothing prioritizes meeting deadlines while increasing costs, whereas resource levelling focuses on rescheduling without changing capacity, potentially impacting deadlines.
Considering MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event, I think applying a resource leveling approach could be possible. Given the event’s complexity and the need to manage resources efficiently, resource leveling could help MTD:
1. Identify and allocate resources more effectively
2. Reschedule tasks to minimize delays and optimize resource utilization
3. Potentially reduce costs by avoiding overtime or additional resources
However, it’s essential to consider the potential impact on deadlines and the overall project timeline. MTD would need to weigh the benefits of resource leveling against any potential delays or consequences.
I think that the MTD project will work more effectively if the project manager and the team will leverage on the reality of resource levelling. By this, all non-critical activities within their available float will be delayed while non-critical activity durations within the available float will be extended.
Due to the fixed date on the MTD Glasgow event, I will recommend resource smoothing.
Resource smoothing and resource levelling both come into play where there is a pressure on time to deliver and the pressure on managing the limited resources in order to get the project.
While resource smoothing faces the pressure accomplishing the project at the planned project time, resource levelling faces the pressure of managing the limited resources available to keep the project going.
Considering the MTD water installation company and the Glasgow event, resource levelling can be implemented if peradventure the event is still ongoing but they MTD discovered shortage of water from the tank indicated by the real time meter, they can decide shutdown water supply in certain areas where there is non-critical water usage and allow water supply for where critical water usage is required.
At the same time resource smoothing can be adopted by introducing more truck tankers to supply water in order to see to it that the event continues until it ends without hitches of limited water supply.
Therefore, in both cases of resource smoothing and resource levelling, there’s limited resources that they tend to manage.
Thank you for this opportunity to study project management @learnwithDEXA.
Resource levelling will be very difficult to implement, reason being that it is an event that has been stated to hold that day, and this issue arose when mtd company got to the event center to carry out their project, no extension of deadlines or duration could be worthy at the moment, the best approach in that regard is resource smoothing whereby the time, duration and deadline is still preserved and reinforcement of new resources or capacities is required, though the cost is increased.
The resource levelling approach will be quiet difficult and challenging to implement and achieve in the MTD project considering it needs adjusting the project timeline. Problems will arise during the project which may include; limited flexibility, increased cost, quality reduction etc
Resource smoothing should be the best approach to be applied.
Resource leveling would be difficult to achieve considering the event. It’s important to note that not all event deadlines can be shifted or rescheduled.
However, it is feasible
Resource leveling would be very difficult to achieve condlsifering the volatile nature of the MTD water supply event tram since this project focuses on meeting planned deadline and circumstance are clearly unpredictable.
The resource leveling approach will be challenging to implement in the MTD project as it may require adjusting the project timeline or resource allocation.
Problem that will be faced during the project may include limited flexibility to adjust the project timeline or resource allocation, increase in the risk of delays, cost overruns, or reduced quality.
The fixed deadline may limit the ability to acquire additional resources or adjust resource allocation.
So this approach should not be implemented.
MTD implementing a resource leveling approach,would be very be very challenging, considering the time they have to deliver on each project.
They deal with projects, that have fixed delivery time,thereby giving no room for extension.
Resource smoothing is best to be applied.