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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Resource smoothing approach is adviced, such project demands serious time frame and the time frame should be strictly adhered to..
While resource smoothing seeks to preserve the date and increase the costs to achieve a successful project, Resource leveling, focuses on maintaining the available resources and increasing the deadline of the project to achieve a successfully project.
Now, applying this to MTD, the water installation company, and the Glasgow events company, to achieve a successful installation of water by the project managers, Resource smoothing is the best approach to implement when handling the water installation project
As PM of MTD you need to analyse the advantage of each resource and the program at hand, this is either levelling or smoothing. Since deadline is of more important to this project resource smoothing will be the right one to use.
For every project, there is a paramount outcome. As a PM on MTD , knowing fully well that deadline most be met. I will subscribe to resource smoothing, as this will be the best approach. Increase in cost might be the price to pay , however, project will be met and delivered to the client before deadline. As long as QUALITY is not compromise in the long run.
However, in a situation where deadline can be adjusted. I will always subscribe to resource leveler, as it helps one to manage resources better, reschedule if need be because I believe above all things, effective management of resources is the core of a PM job
Resource Smoothing focuses on balancing resource utilization while allowing some flexibility in the project schedule to accommodate fluctuations in resource availability.
Resource Leveling aims to achieve a constant and steady resource utilization rate throughout the project, often with less schedule flexibility, by redistributing tasks or activities. The best approach for MTD would be Resource Smoothing. However, Extra cost will be incurred during the project.
Since MTD is an event Planning Organization that has a deadline for the supply of water for Glasgow, I think Resource Smoothing approach will be best for the organization
Considering all the factors in resource levelling and resource smoothing, the best for MTD to use for the project is Resource Smoothing: because it is a time conscious approach which is one of the keys in MTD project seen so far.
Since MTD is an event-planning organization. It should be a combination depending on the context and time contraints.
Given the pre-scheduled event with a fixed deadline, it is apparent that the Resource Levelling approach is not suitable for MTD (the project in question). In this scenario, the most viable option is Resource Smoothing, albeit with the associated consequence of an incremental increase in project costs.
Resource smoothing should be considered by MTD because it’s focus is to preserve the planned project duration and it’s deadlines. So in other for them to meet up with the stipulated timeframe, resource smoothing is best though exra cost will be invited.