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
For projects as the MTD water installation , resources levelling might not be the suitable approach cause resource levelling does not change the current capacity but focuses instead of rescheduling while resource smoothing might be the best approach cause its focuses on preserving planned deadlines.
Looking at the MTD water installation event in Glasgow I would say that it is possible to apply a resource levelling approach
Resource levelling might not be the best strategy for projects like the Glasgow initiatives, and the MTD water installation event. Events have set dates and deadlines, and any delays in their implementation could jeopardise the timeline and, in the end, undermine stakeholder trust and the organization’s reputation. Resource smoothing is the best course of action in these situations since it guarantees that the project will be completed by the important deadlines. This ensures timely delivery, which is crucial for event-based projects, even though it could come with extra expenses like hiring more staff or paying for overtime.
I don’t think resource levelling will work as the project had a stated deadline ,the project needs the deadline preserved.
For the MTD water installation event, resource levelling may not be feasible, as the event ate is already fixed and the team is constrained by a strict deadline. A
Alternatively, adopting resource smoothing, though it may increase costs, can enable the team to meet required timeline
Regarding the MTD water installation event, taking up resource levelling might not work out. This is because the event is already fixed and the team is working towards a deadline. Employing resource smoothing can increase cost but then it can help the team meet up with the deadline.
For projects such as the MTD water installation event and the Glasgow initiatives, resource levelling may not be the most suitable approach. Events are time-bound with fixed dates, and any delay in execution can compromise the schedule and ultimately damage stakeholder confidence and organizational reputation. In such cases, resource smoothing is the preferred strategy, as it ensures the project meets its critical deadlines. While this may involve additional costs such as bringing in extra resources or paying for overtime it guarantees timely delivery, which is paramount for event-based projects.
For projects such as the MTD water installation event and the Glasgow initiatives, resource levelling may not be the most suitable approach. Events are time-bound with fixed dates, and any delay in execution can compromise the schedule and ultimately damage stakeholder confidence and organizational reputation. In such cases, resource smoothing is the preferred strategy, as it ensures the project meets its critical deadlines. While this may involve additional costs—such as bringing in extra resources or paying for overtime—it guarantees timely delivery, which is paramount for event-based projects.