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
With respect to the MTD project, the best option is to use resource smoothing. Although it will increase the cost of actualizing the project, the fact that it will enable prompt delivery of the project makes it a good alternative. After All the clients will be satisfied with the outcome.
Given that the Glasgow event has a set schedule, resource leveling will not be possible, hence as a project manager, I would only take resource smoothing into consideration. This is when the proposed contingency plans from the project planning stage would be useful. Even if spreading out resources costs more, it is more crucial to match the client’s expectations for quality.
Resource smoothing is suitable for MTD water project because the project activities is schedule with the available floats to enable them deal with resource overload.
It is advisable to apply the leveling approach. Smoothing is not advisable as resources are not readily available.
Resource levelling won’t work for both MTD water and Gasglow
Resource levelling won’t work for both MTD water and Glasgow project now
I will suggest resource smoothing
I would Advice resource smoothing as it permits the meatimg of deadline and brings in more hands to ensure they meat deadline according to stakeholder requirement. Seeing that levelling will inconvenience stakeholders.
As the PM, I would go for Resource smoothing since the project is time limited. Increasing the cost will help us maintain the overall quality and we get to finish within the estimated timeline.
For MTD, Resource Smoothing will be the best approach because their projects are always time bound. Most times, Project owners/sponsors do not shift dates because their projects are event driven
In these two case studies, I will implement resource smoothing. This will preserve planned deadline, even though it will attract additional costs. This is because the date for the event(s) has already been fixed, and can not be altered.
As a project manager for MTD, I will adopt the resource smoothing approach even if it more expensive, quality will be maintain and target will be meet.
This method brings about customer satisfaction and more referrals.
I understand that resource levelling can be cost effective, however it might have an impact on the project deadline. Resource smoothing has an increasing effect on the cost of the project and not the deadline.
In accordance to our case study that is MTD company and the Glasgow event resource smoothing would be recommended, because the deadline cannot be moved due to the fact that an event has been fixed which cannot be postponed.
Event smoothing would be our best bet
In regards to the MTD water and the Glasgow projects,it was very important to maintain the resource smoothing approach so as to be able to meet up with the deadline, since it’s tied to a program with a defined definite date. This no doubt has its own disadvantage, in this situation a higher cost for the project, than what was originally proposed. Whatever approach the PM wants to take my be suited to the availability of the project as proposed, which maybe be fraught with challenges. The best option therefore is proper planning, putting into consideration circumstances that may arise which was not planned for.