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
The MTD project has a particular time given to them to deliver ,so for them to accomplish it- resource levelling cannot be the best option because they are working with specific time.They have to put more resources to maintain company integrity by delivery at a given time or schedule time .I believe adapting smoothing will be far better in this case
Resources Leveling is sure option for the MTD water company rather than resource smoothing as you may run out of what you have.
Resource leveling gives more time to ensure a perfect project.
For the MTDs water supply company I think resource smoothing will be much effective tho costly but it will ensure the delivery of the project on time without having to reschedule due to lack of resources
Yes, a resource leveling approach can be applied to balance the workload of resources across the project. Resource leveling is a technique that adjusts the project schedule to balance the demand for resources with their availability.
For quality to be achieved in the MTD project, resource smoothing is the best option.
Resource smoothing will work effectively with the MTD project, the cost might be high but it will be more effective
Resource smoothing is the best option for MTD project because the deadline will be maintained unlike Resource leveling which won’t be feasible in MTD project because the Glagslow event is time based, the start date for the event has been fixed and cannot be rescheduled.
For the MTD Water Installation project, resource leveling should be used, while for the Glasgow event resource smoothing is the best option as there was a hitch and additional resources was added to meet up a deadline for the event which cannot be rescheduled.
Resource Leveling by moving or delaying non- critical activities will work
And also resource smoothing because the deadline for the event is not flexible.
Onyinyechi Ofulozor
Resource leveling won’t be a good idea for such projects because the date and deadlines have been fixed and can not be rescheduled defense Resource Smoothing.
It might for ideal for MTD but for Glasgow, it’s not advisable because rescheduling will affect the initial plan/deadline which is not too good for stakeholders and plan deliverables.
Resources leveling won’t be best for such project because the date and deadline is fixed and cannot be rescheduled. Therefore project smoothing is the best approach because it maintains the deadline.
Resource smooth would be ideal the project