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
COHORT 9, TEAM 3. CYNTHIA ONYINYE OKEKE.
Considering the MTD, water installation company and the event at Glasgow, Resource levelling will only be possible if the issues is discovered at the early phase of the project.
If the issue is discovered during the final phase of executing the project and the deadline is fast approaching, Resource smoothing in the form of additional resource (calling for backup from a similar company) or working overtime by the MTD project team will be the best option at the time because the project deadline is time sensitive, even though it will add to the project cost. That is why the MTD project manager mentioned that the clients are encouraged to budget for unforeseen cost. Though it is expensive, it ensures that the quality of the project deliverables are maintained.
I think resource smoothing is best for MTD, the water installation events company and Glasglow event. Adding new resources to project will help meet project deadline and may also lead to the production of quality output.
What safeguards the project’s time frame is putting resources in place for project like MTD. THIS IS CRUCIAL in timely delivery.
My take using the MTD water project as a case file, is to go with resource levelling because the industry is a sensitive one and I would rather pay ample attention to quality than cost.
Resource smoothing would give the PM and team time to go over every step, check and recheck quality, proper audit, more professional can be brought in to evaluate the project’s original intended value/ expectation.
However, this would mean rescheduling the deadline by extension. Having a satisfied client with clean and safe water is more beneficial as a PM
Using MTD and Glasgow event’s,
Smoothing will be the best approach to avoid altering customers deadline given that the project has a fixed time. This will increase opex but project will be delivered on time. Leveling will extend deadline hence affecting customers expectations.
Keneth Juma Walumoli Cohort 9-Team 6
Absolutely, applying a resource leveling approach could be highly beneficial for MTD, the water installation events company, particularly when considering the Glasgow event featured in the course videos. Resource leveling involves adjusting project activities to even out resource utilization, thereby preventing overloading and ensuring a more balanced workload for the available resources.
In the context of MTD and the Glasgow event, resource leveling could address various challenges. For instance, if certain tasks require specialized equipment or skilled personnel, resource leveling could help ensure that these resources are efficiently allocated without causing bottlenecks or delays. This approach could also aid in managing the availability of materials, preventing shortages and avoiding last-minute rushes that might compromise the quality of the event setup.
Furthermore, given the unpredictable nature of event planning, resource leveling could provide a structured way to handle unexpected changes or additional tasks that might arise during the event preparation phase. By optimizing resource allocation and maintaining a smoother workflow, MTD can enhance its overall efficiency and deliver a successful event experience.
However, it’s important to note that resource leveling might require adjustments to project timelines and potentially impact the critical path of the project. This could influence event deadlines and dependencies, so careful planning and communication are key. Overall, when implemented thoughtfully, resource leveling can play a crucial role in enhancing MTD’s ability to manage its water installation events and deliver exceptional results for clients.
Team 1 cohort 9
Adeola
Cohort 9, Team 9
I would recommend resource smoothing for MTD’s water project for their event management program. MTD deals with sponsors who work with dead lines and have time bound for each project.
In the short video by the project manager, the major problem was not cost but delivery time. This made him to create an alternative which was the introduction of a sprint. The alteration did not affect the time of delivery and this is the aim os resource smoothing which I will strongly recommend.
I would recommend resource smoothing for MTD’s water project for their event management program. MTD deals with sponsors who work with dead lines and have time bound for each project. From the video by the project manager, cost was not the major problem but delivery time, this is why they went extra mile to create an alternative. There was a sprint application that was a mini project in the main work float, that sprint was created to ensure they met the dead line which was most important at that time for that particular project. The alterations made did not affect the initial delivery time only the work float that wasn’t incorporated initially. As long as the job was delivered within the stipulated time, which was the focus of the company. Resource smoothing aims at delivering in line with such challenge and I would recommend it for this particular event project.
Resource leveling is not feasible, particularly for MTD pure water supplies. The project would result in delays and increased costs, as acknowledged by the project manager in one of the videos. To meet the immediate water requirements and ensure clean, uncontaminated water for the upcoming event just three days away, the project team had to resort to using water tankers and buffer bags. This approach, known as project smoothing, required additional expenses but allowed them to deliver water on time despite the contamination of the initial planned water delivery source or pipe, with the event organizers covering the extra costs.
MTD WATER PROJEC: It is crucial to adopt a resource-leveling strategy to achieve the desired objectives.
Considering the delayed non-critical tasks approach in resource leveling, the project can maintain its progress within the available float period without affecting the critical path. This approach aims to balance the demand for resources while considering their potential and capacity.
This approach is indeed viable as it ensures a stable workload without altering the existing resource capacity. Instead, it focuses on rescheduling, which may impact project deadlines. Whatever the cost required to complete the project, it will be made feasible. If additional workforce is needed to expedite a process, it will be arranged accordingly.
According to the lesson, it is made clear that 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
It is obvious that Resource smoothing aims to maintain original project deadlines while increasing project costs.
I think that resource smoothing helps to maintain deadlines which will be the best approach for MTD project. I suggest in choosing this method they should employ more hands in other to meet up with the time.
I do not think that resource levelling will be the best approach for MTD project. This is because they usually have to work within a tight schedule and beating deadline is critical. There is usually little or no time flexibility, so the float window may not be available to cushion the effect of rescheduling without encroaching into the delivery deadline
Joel Nnamani, team 5, cohort 9.
I would recommend resource smoothing for MTD instead of leveling.
This is because MTD deals with events and events are time bound. Choosing resource leveling may plunge the project into longer time.
And this may lead to penalty charge by the client. MTD should explore the option of resource smoothing but employing extra hands to enable them deliver within the time bound of the project.