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 resource smoothing is more prefferable in the MTD scenario. although methods can be apply.
All of the options below are most likely going to affect your project deadline
1. Thoughtless optimism
2. Demand equal to resource capacity
3. The ‘student syndrome’
4. Multitasking to reduce idle time
5. Complex schedules
6. Motivation
7. Game-playing
The appropriate approach may vary based on the specific circumstances of the case. However, in the majority of instances concerning projects similar to those managed by MTD, the resource smoothing approach tends to be more relevant and applicable.
Hence the deadline is close, Resource smoothing is ideal. We earlier discussed quality in the context of managing projects. So in this case, inorder not to delay delivery to the event, a feasible adjustment wouldn’t be a much lapse compared to extending time of execution which will affect quality of job and the end users might not exhibit such patience.
Adanna Ekenna Mbah.
Cohort 7, Team 1.
Availability of resources at the disposal of MTD and the Glasgow event project manager will determine which idea to adopt and why. I would advice the resource smoothing option though, since the company’s not coming cheap, it means there is a large enough buffer for such contingencies and still be in profit, whilst also having a satiated client or sponsor.
Resource levelling can come in once the compulsory tasks are achieved, if it still aids the ability to meet set deadline.
Oke Omotayo Babatola
Cohort 7, Team 7
Looking at the scenario mentioned about late discovery about the project by MTD, resource smoothing is the best approach owing to the fact that the event being prepared for has already gotten a start date the project ought to have been delivered days before the event.
Now that this discoveries have been made, returning to the drawing board with project sponsor to release more fund so more experts could be recruited into the project in order to meet project deadline is but the best way to go since project leveling approach is inconsiderable.
Looking at the scenario mentioned about late discovery about the project by MTD, resource smoothing is the best approach owing to the fact that the event being prepared for has already gotten a start date the project ought to have been delivered days before the event.
Now that this discoveries have been made, returning to the drawing board with project sponsor to release more fund so more experts could be recruited into the project in order to meet project deadline is but the best way to go since project leveling approach is inconsiderable.
Resource leveling – This is used when scheduling the production of available resources is limited and needs to be used optimally.
Resource smoothing – This is used when time constraints are the biggest factor blocking production. The idea is to finish a project on time while avoiding peaks and dips in.
For the MTD project for Glasgow event, resource smoothing is the best
Considering the type of project being executed by MTD, resource smoothing is the best option because its gives the company the advantage of meeting up with their deadline which is very important as opposed to resource to resource leveling which won’t maintain the deadline but save resources.
Considering the scenario of MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event, it’s essential to evaluate the specific circumstances to determine if a resource leveling approach would be feasible. However, based on the information provided, it seems that resource smoothing would be more applicable in this case.
Resource smoothing focuses on preserving planned deadlines while increasing project costs. In the context of the Glasgow event, if MTD is faced with a limited resource capacity or availability constraints, resource smoothing could be used to adjust the project schedule by reallocating resources in a way that minimizes fluctuations in resource utilization. This approach aims to smooth out peaks and valleys in resource demand, ensuring that resources are utilized as evenly as possible while still meeting project deadlines.
Resource leveling, on the other hand, involves rescheduling tasks to accommodate resource constraints without changing the overall resource capacity. In the case of MTD, if there are no significant limitations on resource capacity, and the main concern is the scheduling of tasks to avoid overloading resources, resource leveling might not be necessary.
It’s important to note that the applicability of resource leveling or resource smoothing depends on the specific constraints, goals, and priorities of the project. In the case of MTD and the Glasgow event, a detailed analysis of resource availability, project deadlines, and the impact of resource adjustments would be needed to determine the most suitable approach.