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
Resources smoothing will be the best option for MTD project in order to complete the project at the deadline date, although it will increase the cost, but time management is very important and quality assurance
As a PM in MTD, I would opt for resource levelling, the project can be rescheduled, with costs Managed properly
Adopting the resource smoothing technique for the MTD water project would be acceptable and prudent.
Although project costs will rise, the deadline will be met because every project depends on it.
It increases the project manager’s dependability.
I will consider resource smoothing for MTD Water project implementation as it will preserve planned deadline.
Resource Smoothing is perfect for this project as it preservs the planned deadlines which of course should focus on meeting it’s deadline
Implementation of Resource Smoothing is a better option to use on the MTD water project, as it maintains deadline given and also retains the quality of the project.
For MTD, resource smoothing would be the most suitable approach. Though it will incur extra cost, but there will be no reason to reschedule the deadline.
For MTD, resource smoothing would be the most suitable approach. Though it will incur extra cost, but at the end the deadline is met.
For MTD resource Smoothing should be implemented ,this is to meet up with the project deadline.
Implementation of Resource Smoothing is a better option to use on the MTD water project, as it maintains deadline given and also retains the quality of the project.
Leveling retains the capacity while MTD manages its limited time and resources, and a new deadline is set.
It is advisable to use resource leveling for projects that have a sufficient amount of non-critical path, which enables time adjustment to stay within the budgeted expenses.
To complete the delivery within the allotted time, MTD in this situation would need to apply resource smoothing. For the MTD water project, resource levelling is therefore not a suitable concept.
Resource Smoothing is good because the resources are available and the resources
helps to enhance the work flow to meet deadlines. And increase project costs.
ANENE AMARACHI SARAH
COHORT 8,TEAM 2.