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
Resource leveling vs resource smoothing: The basics Resource leveling is the practice of adjusting a project’s start and end dates to accommodate for limited resources. Resource smoothing, meanwhile, entails adjusting the project’s activities to ensure work is completed according to existing timelines.
Resource smoothing is the best approach for the MTD project, since it is an event which is time bound, Only that the cost for the project might increase and there might have to be adjustments. All the same the quality of the project will be same as it was intended in the beginning of the project.
Projects have deadlines and they must be maintained for various benefits. Resource smoothing can be appropriate in this project to meet the completion date.
Resource smoothing is the appropriate strategy to adopt based on the clients MTD works with and the nature of the client’s project because MTD clients always have a defined start date to begin their projects, and such a set date cannot be changed once fixed.
The best approach for the MTD project is resource something because it has a planned deadline even tho it might increase the project cost to be able to meet the deadline on has planned
The best approach for the MTD project is resource smoothing. Though it requires extra cost the deadline must be met.
Resource smoothing can indeed be a beneficial approach for the MTD water project in the given circumstances. It allows for the adjustment of resources, such as adding new ones or using overtime, to ensure that the project stays on schedule and aligns with the required finish date. This method can be effective in managing time constraints and preserving the planned project duration. However, it’s important to carefully balance resource allocation to avoid overloading or causing burnout among the project team members when using overtime. Additionally, monitoring and controlling costs associated with resource adjustments is crucial to ensure the project remains within budget.
The better approach to take for MTD project is Resource Smoothing since it involves a set deadline which is important to meet. Though this approach would require that there is increase in cost, it is a better approach than Research levelling.
I don’t think resource levelling will work in a project like MTD, this project is time-bound as it is for an event { planned date cannot be rescheduled ) so instead of levelling i will go for smoothing.
Considering the MTD water project, resource smoothing is the best approach since the require date has been set and there is a time constraint and it focuses on preserving the planned project duration and its finish date by adding new resources to the project or substituting current resources with a new one with greater capacity and also by using overtime to increase the availability of resources this is to keep the project align with the scheduled.
Thanks
The best approach is the Resource Smoothing since it is a time based project.
Resource smoothing is about preserving planned deadlines but increasing project cost, this should be applicable to the MTD project in Glasgow. The event in question has been scheduled to go life in 3days, so invoking the resource levelling wouldn’t have been feasible and they would have gone past the initial planned deadline. Using the resource smoothing method is the best approach since there is a build in redundancy in the project cost for such occurance in anticipation of any setback.
The most reliable and approach is the Resources smoothing it gives guide to project manager and teams also, so every one keed their eye and mind fixed on the date the project need to be completed more importantly it helps manager to plan and coordinate the project progress in sequence manner. Thanks
Resource smoothing is best used in a certain project to meet up the deadline;though,the cost will be allocated to get the best results while resource leveling it maintain same cost though the deadline will slow and cost will be managed