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
Resource smoothing focuses on preserving planned deadlines but increasing project costs.
Resource levelling does not change the current capability but focuses instead on rescheduling, with a possible on project deadlines.
Resource smoothing is also known as time-limited scheduling while resource leveling is also called resource – limited scheduling.
Resource smoothing is planned end date.
Resource leveling is new end date.
Resource leveling adjusts activity start and finish dates to ensure resource demand does not exceed available supply. While this prevents overallocation, it typically extends the project duration (APM, 2019).
For MTD’s Glasgow event, this approach is not suitable because the event date is fixed. Key tasks, such as water installation, must be completed before the venue opens. Delaying activities to match resource availability would risk missing the critical deadline, resulting in client dissatisfaction and reputational harm.
A more practical solution is resource smoothing. By redistributing tasks within available float, or by hiring temporary staff and subcontractors at additional cost, MTD can avoid resource clashes while still meeting the fixed deadline.
Resource leveling is used to address overallocation of resources by adjusting the start and finish dates of tasks. It’s typically done without changing the project scope, but it can potentially extend the project duration.
This approach is not feasible because events like The Glasgow Event usually have non-negotiable start and end dates. It often involves multiple stakeholders (e.g., electrical, sanitation, venue prep). Resources are already tightly bound, the use of resource leveling could risk delays. A resource smoothing approach (less impactful on timeline) is a better alternative.
Resource leveling adjusts activity start and finish dates so that resource demand does not exceed available supply. While this ensures resources are not over-allocated, it often extends the overall project duration (APM, 2019).
In the context of MTD’s Glasgow event, this approach is not feasible. The event date is fixed and immovable, meaning activities such as water installation must be completed before the venue opens. If MTD delayed tasks to align with available resource capacity, it would risk missing the critical deadline, leading to client dissatisfaction and reputational damage.
Instead, resource smoothing would be the more practical method. By redistributing tasks within available float, or by bringing in additional temporary staff and subcontractors at higher cost, MTD could meet the required deadline while avoiding the resource clashes shown in the APM figure.
Conclusion: Resource leveling is unsuitable for the Glasgow event because deadlines cannot shift. Resource smoothing, supported by cost flexibility, offers a more viable solution for MTD.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
I do not think that we could utilize resource leveling on the MTD project. That is mainly because events are usually fixed times, and the project must align with that date. There is no extended offer of time. However, if buffer times or floats were included in the initial planning process, it would be possible to resource level without affecting the actual delivery date of the project.