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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I think it would be more feasible to implement a resource smoothing approach so as to meet the assigned project deadline rather than restructuring using the resource levelling approach.
Resource smoothing Is the best to me as a project manager in achieving my set goal because my project with be done within the stipulated time, timeline of the project will not be affected.
While in the Case of resource leveling the timeline will be extended thereby incurring most cost to the project.
For the scenario with MTD, resource levelling is possible. A reassessment may have to be done to find overcapacity and then reschedule activities. This could also reduce cost.
The impact of the project cost and the willingness of clients to accept the increase in project cost will largely determine the resource allocation strategies that better suit the project.
Considering the MTD case study where the service provision (Water Supply) is essential and without options, the resource smoothing strategy will be critical to ensure that the project is delivered within the scheduled timeline and within the expected quality not minding the slight increase in cost.
I do not think that applying a resource levelling approach will bode well. This is because MTD projects are very time sensitive and have very little leeway for float periods or reschedulling; the events they set up waterworks for are time sensitive. A resource levelling approach may cause significant impact on project delivery deadline and may render the project a failure.
Resource smoothing is the best approach to be able to deliver quality water on time. This will impact project costs which are usually absorbed by contingency costs that are embedded during initial project planning and costing.
In MTD project, I would lean towards implementing a resource smoothing approach. It focuses on balancing resource demand over time, which can help ensure that resources are allocated efficiently while still meeting the deadline.
Resource smoothing is the best approach for MTD project because it focuses on preserving planned deadlines but, it will increase the costs.
Resource smoothing focuses on preserving planned deadline though the project cost will increase while Resource levelling does not change the current capacity but focuses on rescheduling with a possible impact on project deadlines.
Looking at the difference between the two strategies, the MTD water project has to been delivered to the users at an estimated time, hence the best strategy to apply is the Resources smoothing while taking into cognizance that the cost will increase.
As a project manager, putting in to consideration MTD the water installation events and the Glasgow event. The best approach is resource smoothing which the original project death lines will be maintained, although there must be increase in cost of project same of the factor to play with are time, cost and quality within the project as manager.
Resource smoothing aims to achieve the original project deadlines although project costs will be increased . while resource leveling does not alter the existing resource capacity but emphasizes on rescheduling, which may have an impact on project deadline.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. But quality will be obtained and you will be able to deliver on time.
Resources rescheduling due to its impact on deliverables deadline will not work for MTD but rather a time- limited scheduling approach, that is resource smoothening because it preserved planned deadlines though it comes at an additional cost, Hower, the MTD have always included contingency, redundancy
costs etc into their budgets and events organisers were always ready to absorb the extra cost while MTD breaks even.
Resource leveling is the adjustment of project start and ending days to align for short resources while resource smoothing is the adjustment done to ensure that project is completed according to available timeline
Applying resource leveling for the MTD Water Project is feasible but MTD projects are for events and the events are timebound, hence resource smoothing will be the best approach because it focuses on preserving the planned deadlines.
Due to the time frame and the MTD projects that is majorly for events, resources levelling may not be the best approach because it will definitely after the delivery date, hence resources smoothing will be far better since their is contigencies cost already included in the budget .
I bargain for resource smoothing, due to the fact that, MTD caters for events which are time bound, the cost increase could be factor into the continencies and redundancy cost already programmed for.