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
I believe resource smoothing and not resource leveling would be appropriate for an organisation like MTD with regards to the Glasgow event. This is because the timeline for the event is fixed and strict, so resource levelling may not be feasible as it could lead to delays that are unacceptable.
Resource levelling would have been the best approach, but considering the fact that the project is time-based, resource smoothing should then be applied to ensure that deadlines are met.
Resource smoothing is the most appropriate for MTD here due to time constraint.
Considering the two scenarios, resource levelling approach is feasible to implement as this can create balance in the workload on resources in order to align resource usage with their available capacity. Resource levelling will not change the current capacity but focused on rescheduling, with a possible impact on project deadlines. This is contrast to resource smoothing, new resources can be added and this affects the project cost.
In resource levelling, the cost advantages relate to a steady distribution of cost over time, because cost of selection, hiring and then lay offs are often high and can be reduced through better scheduling and meet deadlines.
Olivia Sarah Aber, Project Management Cohort 26, Team 1
Following the MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event I think it would be feasible to implement a resource leveling approach in this scenario because the installation of the water project and the preparation of the event must happen at the same time, thus there is a high possibility that resource availability and usage will be an important aspect for both activities to be a success. The only way to achieve target is to implement leveling by identifying the existence of slack from both projects so that there is no usage of any resource in any project.
Immanuella O. Obazele
Cohort 26, Team 5
For such events which MTD caters to, the resource smoothing approach is most advisable because it maintains the deadlines or event dates, which are a primary requirement in their project delivery and execution.
Making use of the resource leveling approach on the MTD project can still play a great role because it enhances morale and reduces the risks of stress, it doesn’t change the current capacity but focuses instead on rescheduling with a possible impact on project deadlines, while resource smoothing on the other hand focuses on preserving planned deadlines but increasing project costs.
The resource smooth can be used when the time constraints is the priority the MTD water project meets its fixed event deadline without significantly altering the project phases or plans, though it may increase costs. Timely completion is crucial, so resource smoothing helps maintain the schedule. Resource leveling would only be suitable if the event date were flexible.
The scope is of the mtd is to meet up with the specific time there for the resources smoothing is best at this time neglecting the additional costs
In this scenario, resource smoothing is recommended to ensure the MTD water project meets its fixed event deadline without significantly altering the project phases or plans, though it may increase costs. Timely completion is crucial, so resource smoothing helps maintain the schedule. Resource leveling would only be suitable if the event date were flexible.
Well, Resource smoothing is used when the time constraint takes priority. The objective is to complete the work by the required date while avoiding peaks and troughs of resource demand. Resource levelling is used when limits on the availability of resources are paramount. It simply answers the question With the resources available, when will the work be finished?
Few re-usable resources are limitless, so the time schedule has to be adjusted to take into account the limited availability of resources over time. There are two approaches to reconciling resource limits and time constraints; resource smoothing (or time limited resource scheduling) and resource levelling (or resource limited scheduling).
Resource levelling will be ideal for the MTD water project if the due date for the event is not close, but whereby the event date is close and there are still jobs to be done, resource smoothing will be the better option.
Feature Resource Leveling Resource Smoothing
Project End Date May change Does not change
Critical Path Impact May be affected Not affected
Flexibility Adjusts tasks freely Adjusts only within float
Goal Resolve over-allocation Optimize resource usage
Resource leveling is feasible for non-critical path tasks or pre-event preparation, where some delay is acceptable. But for critical installations close to event day, it could create unacceptable risks.
If strict deadlines are in place (as in most events), a hybrid approach—using resource smoothing for critical paths and leveling for flexible activities—might be more practical.