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
For the MTD project, resource leveling is not considered the best approach, but rather resource smoothing as it focuses on preserving planned deadlines rather than rescheduling which would cause an impact on project deadlines
Since there isn’t enough time for the event to accommodate resource leveling for the MTD project, I’ll recommend resource smoothing instead because the cost of the water will not be as detrimental as missing the deadline.
Therefore, even if it has a financial and resource effect, my recommendation for MTD is to remain with resource smoothing since resource leveling will change the project deadline, which could compromise the company’s reputation.
Resource smoothing is important to the successful completion of project.When resources utilization fluctuates wildly_that is, when there are large peaks and valleys in the workflow _it can result in a project going over in terms of budget and timeline.By smoothing out the workflow,the project can be more effectively managed, reducing the budget and timeline.
Furthermore, getting on accurate timeline also helps with resource allocation,as the team can better predict which resource will be needed and when.
In view of these resource smoothing will be more effective in MTD project.
My advise for MTD is to stick to resource smoothing though its has a cost and resource effect，the deadlines for the project will be met.
On the other hand，using resource leveling would have serious impact on the project＇s deadline and the already communicate dates for the events will be negatively affected. This can result to a serious devastation for Glasgow management. Hence， resource smoothing is better than
resource leveling because the latter will alter the project deadline which can affect the company integrity.
MTD should consider Resource smoothing to enable them meet stipulated deadlines. Though they will incur more cost.
Resource smoothing is obviously the better option for them
Resources smoothing is the best approach for the company
Resource smoothing is the best option for MTD since deadlines are almost fixed.
At MTD and with the nature to f the project, Resource smoothing which considers deadlines and when it has to do with water, it will involve drinking as well, which price tag cannot be placed on the value of life. So the increase in costs should not be applied.
With the MTD project applying resource leveling is a wrong choice as there is no buffer time for the event to accommodate that, instead I will advise resource smoothing as the water cost will not hurt like not meeting the deadline .
For the MTD project, resource smoothing is a better option especially because meeting a client’s deadline is of utmost importance as well as upholding the company’s integrity while paying for extra cost