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
The best approach is resource Smoothing which is best for a time-based project like MTD installation project because of the nature of the event.
Resource smoothing will be the best approach to use because the event company has a deadline to meet. When this deadline is missed, it will have a great impact on the purpose of the project
The best approach would be resource smoothing for a project like MTD’s
resource smoothing is the best option in this case because the project has a deadline that cannot be altered.
As a PM, resource levelling is better hence it does not change the current capacity but focuses instead on rescheduling, with a possible impact on project deadline.
Taking a look into the MTD Water project, resource smoothing is best advisable to kick against a delay in project delivery while incurring additional cost and training. The Glasglow event has a specified delivery date which the company cannot afford to extend further, therefore resource smoothing is best fit to keep to date.
Fromu understanding Resource smoothing aims to maintain original project deadlines while increasing project costs whic smooth the running of the project while 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.
Delaying the deadline might be catastrophic
So, resource smoothing is the best option…unless all the stakeholders are agree to postpone the deadline
From Cohort 9 Team 6,
Based on the type of clients MTD deals with and the nature of the client’s project, Resource Smoothing is the best approach to apply because MTD clients always have a fixed start date to commence their projects and such set date cannot be changed once fixed.
Well, in this senerio resource levelling can be applied at the beginning of the project. When the event has not commenced. MTD water installation events company can ask for additional time which will enable them to arrive the venue some days to the event, so as to check their equipment Incase there is any issue on ground and rectify it on time. But as soon as the event commences there will be no room to ask for additional time to fix any problem, rather more resources will be put in place, which means extra cost. This is where resource smoothing comes into play.
So I would say that it is possible to apply resource levelling approach to the Glasgow event.
I would go for resource smoothing
Since to delay the supply of water will put on hold so many other things dependent on it, then resource smoothing will be the best option for me.