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.
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Considering the fact that MTD Water Project is an event project which is based on a time frame for delivery, resource levelling will not work. I suggest they apply resource smoothing.
MTD and glasgow as we have been following throughout this course are companies which events have deadlines and the stakeholders involved may not have the luxury of time to reschedule events hence, a resource smoothing would be advised in order to ensure that the event is preserved
I would recommend resource smoothing for MTD’s water project for their event management program. Resource smoothing aims to maintain original project deadlines while increasing project costs. Resource smoothing aims at delivering in line with such challenge and employing extra hands to enable them deliver within the time bound of the project.
In this context of MTD water project, resource smoothening would work better in the sense that the project has originally been planned to be executed within a specified timeframe and the resources addition can cover up for gap that would otherwise extend the deadline of the project
MTD deals with planned events, these events have deadlines and the stakeholders involved may not have the luxury of time to reschedule events. In this case, resource leveling will not suffice rather a resource smoothing will have to be considered to preserve the event.
Now the problem becomes who bears the cost, MTD or project sponsor. To look at this issue, the PM will have to understand where the problem originated from. Let’s say, the water supplied by the client is not suitable for the event for failing consumption test, the client will have to bear the cost, similarly if it was as a result of poor information from the sponsor the sponsor bears the cost so also if was a result of poor resource allocation by the PM he will also bear the cost.
MTD projects have to do with events which have deadlines such as; date of deployment & execution to meet up with scheduled on a timeline. It could be too demanding on all stakeholders involved to have project execution rescheduled for instance.
Resource smoothing applies here in order to meet up with scheduled timelines. .
Considering MTD, the water installation and the Glasgow event we’ve been following so far in this I believe it would it be possible to apply a resource levelling approach, this is possible because shifting the scheduling of project activities within their available floats. That way workload on resources would align with resources available without any increment in costs
COHORT 9 TEAM 8
Using MTD and glasgow event as a case study, I will rather recommend resource smoothing as to meet up with the fixed deadline for deliverable and quality outcome and output is expected while extending time frame by resource leveling approach is not advisable
MTD deals with planned events, these events have deadlines and the stakeholders involved may not have the luxury of time to reschedule events. In this case, resource leveling will not suffice rather a resource smoothing will have to be considered to preserve the event.
Now the problem becomes who bears the cost, MTD or project sponsor. To look at this issue, the PM will have to understand where the problem originated from. Let’s say, the water supplied by the client is not suitable for the event for failing consumption test, the client will have to bear the cost, similarly if it was as a result of poor information from the sponsor the sponsor bears the cost so also if was a result of poor resource allocation by the PM he will also bear the cost.
In my opinion taking MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event as a case study, resource smoothing might possibly be the best option. This is due to the fact that the project has already fixed date and the sponsor is already aware. Using resource leveling can disrupt planned activities for the event day, which invariably will have a negative impact on the image of the company
Using MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event as a case study, I will recommend resource smoothing. This is because the event working towards has already fixed date and the client/sponsor must have sent out invitations. Using resource leveling (deadline rescheduling) can eat up into the event day and this is capable of affecting the company’s reputation.
For MTD is will be really difficult to apply resources levelling for them because the have a bottled next time line to deliver the process,but resources levelling can only be applied if the project was started much earlier,but this is subject to discussion with stakeholders.
The best method that can work best for the company is resources smoothing,so they can bring in more work force and complete the project within time frame though at an extra cost.
Should the project become very difficult,a visit of the scope of the scope with the stakeholders will be the best option necessary.