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
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.
Abiye Ngeribara
Task: In what ways do these values and norms impact on the ethical and environmental considerations of running Projects for the company?
The MTD core values being
passion for what we do , drive of our employee, support of everyone and quality of infrastructure have positive impart on the entire scope of ethics and if there is a gap or break of these MTD core values and the scope of ethics then the possible effect will be
1. Violation of rules and regulation and as well as rules of conduct can affect the nature of the project therefore it calls for environmental disaster
2. Moral principles,ethical practices and values will give birth to quality infrastructure and along side with passion and drive when the project is finally executed else it becomes environmental problem because poor quality of infrastructure may be achieved due to lack of the above scope of ethics mentioned
In mtd recource soothing or leveling can be applied to it depending on if the scheduling or timming doest affect things or events and it’s been implemented efficiently
Time is really important to them when it comes to the MTD water project. However, it is viable to adopt the resource leveling strategy because:
Applying either the Delay non-critical activities approach of resource levelling, which won’t have an impact on the project as long as it is finished within the period of available float, will balance the demand on their resource in order to line with their available capacity. Alternately, extend non-critical activity times within the float that is at hand.
Either resource smoothing or levelling can be applied to the MDT project depending on whether or not the change requiring resources allocation is on the critical path of the project plan or not.
for MTD in a scenario where water required increased unexpectedly, or a member of the team is unavoidable unavailable, resource smoothing could be applied.
Yes it is possible if they implement resources levelling approach to balance workload and productivity.
For the MTD water installation company and the glass glow company,the implementation of resource levelling can be feasible….
The scope of every project does not only resolve around time,but cost and quality put together..
Resources levelling will help as it works with float,some strategies may affect cost and duration but not as much as resources smoothing that involves bringing in or adding a new resource,that may require training,review,re- evaluation of project, stress and low quality and burn out.
Yes. it is possible to apply the resource levelling approach to the water installation event of MTD if the scheduling does not affect critical events.
It’s possible,as resource leveling provides room for rescheduling.Most times, when a particular period has been earmarked for a project,some unforeseen circumstances can come into play which can alter the predicted time for the completion of the project.Tge MTD can be faced with the challenge of not meeting up with the completion of the installation,if all that will be needed are not provided.
With MTD, the water installation events company and the Glasgow event its possible to apply resource levelling approach considering Resource smoothing focuses on preserving planned deadlines but increasing project costs; resource levelling does not change the current capacity but focuses instead on rescheduling, with a possible impact on project deadlines.