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
Resource smoothing may be appropriate for the MTD project considering the nature of the project and the availability of resources.
In the case of MTD project, smoothing would be the best approach to carry out the task because they would be able to deliver at stipulated time, but the cost will increase which they need to carry people that are involved in financing the project along.
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Resource Smoothing will be a more acceptable option for MTD Project so as to be able to meet the deadline. The cost can be increased if there is need for that just to ensure that quality is maintained.
On MTD water project, Resource smoothing will be a better approach to use since the project will be delivered at a given deadline even though it will impact on the cost.
Resource Smoothing is advisable because the resources are readily available and it would enhance the work flow to meet the project deadlines.
Smoothing is not advisable as resources are not readily available. Implementing resource leveling would be the ideal solution for MTD water company.
About the MTD water project, resource smoothing is the best option. It is because it will make them meet up with the deadline since time is huge considerable factor.
Resource smoothing is the best approach to used because the project will be delivered at the stated deadlines though, it will increase in cost .
For MTD water project, Resource smoothing is the best option because it will help them meet up their deadline though they will have to use more resources or make the team work overtime.
To achieve the set project target since time is a priority, Resource smoothing is the idea approach.
This will speed the work process and ensures the overall efficiency and productivity of the team is well optimized, this implies that project scope will not be affected and quality achieved without compromising on the deadlines.
The MTD water company that had to fix an issue at Glasglow could not have applied the strategies for resource levelling as this could alter the deliverables as to make the project an effective one they will rely on the strategies for resource smoothing for an effective output.
MTD dates, concern delivering valve water distribution for consumers as early as possible. So smoothing will be the best option if there are not enough floats on the schedule. But if there are enough floats on the schedule then leveling is best so as to maintain duration and cost.