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
It might be feasible to implement Resource leveling but depending on several factors cox Resource leveling involves adjusting the project schedule to address resource constraints, ensuring that resource demand does not exceed availability. In the case of MTD and the Glasgow event, whether resource leveling is feasible depends on several factors. Like the project deadline, event specific requirement like Set up, testing etc… allocation of resources.
It won’t be feasible implementing a resource leveling approach because an event has been fixed and stakeholders are eagerly waiting for the delivery. However, resource smoothing can be used to fasten up the process and meet deadlines.
I think it would be feasible to implement a resource leveling approach if the situation requires it. We need to understand the project and how far it has gone in order to consider it.
In this case it depends on the urgency or intended reason the project was initially planned and scheduled for that deadline. It the event can not be pushed back due to a good reason, for instance national day etc, then resources smoothing and not resources leveling should be employed to meet up the deadline. Although it is a tough decision, as it is more likely to strain the available resources or project team, but I believe the project team will be glad they pushed further to impress their client by meeting up with the intended deadline. However, it should be spelt out to the project sponsor the effect it will have on the cost of the project.
In a situation where the date for the event can be rescheduled, then resources leveling should be employed, as this will safe extra cost being incurred on the project.
I think it depends on the project at hand and all that has happened so far. No project is the same. It’s at the project manager’s discretion on whether to apply resource levelling or resource smoothing.
For me I would prefer resource smoothing as a result of the required deadline to meet.
resources smoothing is the best approach since resources leveling will affect the deadline. and there is a deadline to keep
I don’t think resource levelling is a good approach to adopt because meeting the deadline for the event is very crucial. Resource smoothing is the better option in my opinion
Resource smoothing should be the best approach for MTD since they have important deadlines to meet and they can afford to have deadlines
I’d say the best approach should be resource smoothing as there is a deadline to meet up.
Resource smoothing should be the best approach for MTD since they have important deadlines to meet.