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
I don’t think resource levelling is ideal in this scenerio. For example the MTD project which had to do with human lives and safety, being economical with the resources will impact negatively on the people. Also, people’s lives are on the line, hence, the project deadline must be respected.
So I think resource smoothing would be the perfect fit for the project as resources will be increased for a better output while the timeline is still respected .
Problems that affect scheduling resources based on my experience are:
* Thoughtless optimism of the project manager, most times adequate resources are not properly scoped to enable effective campaign delivery process especially at the ward level where some of the personnel will have to use their personal funds to execute their daily task.
* The students syndrome, on several occasions the personnel delay in work at the initial stage of the project until when is getting close to mop up days where campaign is gradually coming to an end.
* Complex schedules: due to the nature of campaign with several dependent bodies, campaign most times is been delayed because approval needs to be sought before proceeding with the next activities.
I believe resource smoothing will be a better option for a company that provides services for events like MTD. Since this method preserves deadline and schedules and MTD does not have a say or influence over fixing the event date, they would need a method that will help them deliver by the set date since they can’t change the vent schedule.
Resource smoothing involves preserving the planned project duration and it’s deadlines while applying some strategies.
So, I thing for the project of the MTG to be achieved, resource smoothing should be applied.
With the definition of resource smoothing and what it entails in mind, it means that whatever extra it would cost to deliver a project may have already been taken care of.
For MTD water company, resource leveling is not really a good idea because the stakeholders especially the end users which includes the athletes would have already be in the city in the agreed date to commence the competition, hence waiting for the project to be delivered.
Delaying the deadline will mean shifting the competition and all that which will not be good to the project sponsor hence rather than use resource leveling, it is best to use resource smoothing wherein additional cost may apply but the project be delivered on the agreed deadline
For MTD water, it is best they use resource smoothing, because the end user’s would already been on ground than using resource levelling which will mean delaying the project, of which it will not be good for the project sponsor, so therefore resource levelling is a no no.
Since MTD, only have few days to go, using resource levelling is no no for them, because it will chanwge the date of the project delivering. So i will suggest resource smoothing. Is the best optikn in irder to complete the projecr before the deadline daye. It is bettee to accumulate more costs than to fail on delivering at the plan date of the project. Time management is the key for quality assurance and trust from the clients.
Resource leveling is a project management technique used to balance and optimize the allocation of resources in order to minimize fluctuations in resource demand and avoid overloading or underutilization of resources.
Since the goal of resource leveling is to achieve a more realistic and manageable schedule that optimizes resource utilization while maintaining project objectives, adopting this approach will be feasible.
Let’s say you have a project that requires two developers working on the back end of a website. But you have only one developer to do the job. You can complete the project successfully without overworking your team members using resource leveling. For example, you can split tasks so that your team members have enough time to complete their activities, or you can extend the planned duration of the activity.
Resource leveling is a technique where project constraints are managed by balancing available resources and the project schedule.
Resource leveling involves adjusting activities’ start and end dates within a specific project. The changes can occur immediately after the project schedule is created or even during the project itself to account for shortages.
For MTD project hitch in Glasgow, resource smoothing is the best strategy to adopt because leveling will affect duration and cost as well.
The MTD projects usually has fixed deadlines to commission its project. therefore, resource leveling isn’t a good approach to be use. And on the other hand resource smoothing allows rescheduling of projects when there is an extension on it hence making it flexible for the MTD
Considering that quality water supply and meeting deadline is key to MTD company, resource smoothing would work best for the company since it would not alter the deadline though it involves more resources and costs.
This would enable the company to supply guality water while meeting the deadline
The implementation of resource leveling, especially for MTD pure water supplies, is impractical. The project manager acknowledged in one of the videos that it would lead to delays and increased costs. To address the immediate water requirements and guarantee clean, uncontaminated water for an upcoming event just three days away, the project team had to resort to alternative measures such as using water tankers and buffer bags. This approach, known as project smoothing, incurred additional expenses but ensured timely water delivery despite the contamination of the original water source or pipe. The event organizers covered the extra costs.
To achieve the desired objectives of the MTD water project, it is crucial to adopt a resource leveling strategy.
By employing the approach of delaying non-critical tasks in resource leveling, the project can maintain its progress within the available float period without affecting the critical path. The objective is to balance the demand on resources while considering their potential and capacity.
Furthermore, any extension of non-critical activity durations should be limited to the allowed float duration.
This approach is indeed feasible as it ensures a consistent 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 necessary to expedite a process, appropriate arrangements will be made.