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 reference to MTD, the water installation events company and the Glasgow event, I think applying a resource levelling approach will not be the best for them, because it will change the delivery date of the project and already the client / customers / end users of the facility are already waiting for them to deliver, been a running process that undertake expansion project from time to time to increase their capacity. They have to plan well, deploy the right resources on schedule to meet the project delivery time line, to avoid delays, cost overruns, lengthening project duration.
No, resource levelling will not work. The project is time bound. I suggest they apply resource smoothing
Putting into consideration MTD water project, time is of essence . Applying resource levelling approach is possible because :
Resource levelling will balance the workload on their resource in order to align with their available capacity by applying either the
Delay non- critical activities strategy of resource levelling, which will not affect the project as long as it is completed within the period of available float. Or
Extend non-critical activity durations within the available float.
Group 1
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
NNAMDI MICHAEL
group 10
Cohort 7
If the MTD is compelled to maintain the original project deadline it is proper to apply the resource smoothing approach, which will result to an increase in project cost. But if the deadline or time schedule can be shifted it will be more profitable for the MTD company to apply the resource levelling approach because by so doing the existing resource capacity will not be altered but it will definitely have an impact on the project deadline as it will be shifted.
So the approach to use depends on the flexibility of the project guidelines
Projects like MTD that seem linear in nature better fits into the resource smoothing. Resource levelling doesn’t get handy as timek deadlines are imperative for such projects.
I think it would be possible to apply resource levelling approach to tackle the issue of resource shortfall arising from issue of venue at the MTD water event, so as to avoid resource overallocation or over capacity. This is because it entails resource limited scheduling (within the available resources) which has different strategies associated with it, one of the strategies is the delay of non-critical activities within the available float, especially when considering the issue with the venue. this will incur no additional project cost, however possibility of shift planned end date.
Resource smoothing is targeted at maintaining the original project deadlines with an increase in project costs. while resource leveling tends not alter the existing resource capacity but instead emphasizes on rescheduling, which may have an impact or a shift on project deadlines.
Resource leveling is preferred considering the cost involved in executing the project.
Hello everyone;
Using the challenges faced by MTD as a case study; they had to rely on resource smoothing – and solely beat the higher cost; as deadline initially planned must be met.
Revision of project scope is never an option; as time management is paramount, neither does Resource levelling come in at all.
Thank you
Clare Marie Ukaegbu
I will prefer resource leveling to ensure that because it will help me to predict the time line correctly and conflicts arising out of time, scope, or insufficient resources can be tackled early on without it snowballing into a huge problem, forcing my employees to work overtime. In applying leveling resources, informations are vital and enhancing productivity and reducing burnout by eliminating over-allocation and minimizing the risk of resource burnout.
Thanks.
MTD has limited time and resources levelling holds the capacity and reschedule the planned deadline.
Resource Levelling is better with project that have enough non-critical path which allows for time adjustment in order to stay within the planned costs.
MTD in this case, would need to use resource smoothing in order to deliver within the limited time. Therefore resource Levelling is not a good idea for MTD water project.
Yes resources smoothing can be apply to the MTD water project,because it will help to maintain a form of balance in the project duration
As resource leveling provides room for rescheduling, it is possible. 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.The 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.