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 most definitely appears a better option in these cases. This is especially so as the critical and non-critical factors can not afford to be delayed. Time is of the essence and thus requires more allocation of resources with earlier deadlines maintained.
In MTD ,it wouldn’t be a good idea to use resource levelling , other than that , it can’t work , cause in MTD , THE CRITICAL AND NON CRITICAL EVENTS can’t be delayed or extended cause they required following steps to achieve good distribution of the water and making sure to follow the normal guidlines so as to not have issues with the local authorities and to deliver with the best quality making sure the health of the people who consumes the water is considered . In MTD , i think it would be great to use RESOURCE SMOOTHING to fix the issue of resource overloading
For MTD AND GLASGLOW, Resource smoothing is the best approach to be used in order to be able to meet up with all the deliverables within the timelines for the project.
Considerating Organisation like MTD,i advice that the best approach or process to use is the resource smoothing since it aims at meeting deadlines. Every phases and stage of the project plans would not change or implies more cost implications.
Well, resource smoothing is the best approach to the MTD AND GLASGLOW, after the whole event then there will be a post calculation to prevent the problem form repeating itself
For MTD projects, I think resource smoothing is best approach because it is a time-based project.
Since the major focus for MTD is to maintain the project timeline. Resource smoothing also called time-limited scheduling is the best strategy to deploy.
In the case of MTD projects, I don’t think it will be okay to apply a resource leveling approach to their project as this can affect the deadline date, preferably resource smoothing can be applied to MTD projects.But in situations where there is still some time left before the planned deadline of a particular project, project leveling can be applied.
With respect to the MTD project, the best option is to use both resource leveling and resource smoothing. This will keep both the cost and the date of delivery in check. because MTD can not afford increase in the cost of production as this will affect selling price; and they lose customers.
In the case of MTD projects, I don’t think it will be okay to apply a resource leveling approach to their project as this can affect the deadline date. But in situations where there is still some time left before the planned deadline of a particular project, project leveling can be applied.