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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Okafor Innocent
Group 5
For an Organization like MTD and Glasgow it is not advisable to consider resource leveling rather I would advise resource smoothing because resource leveling would serious impact of the already communicate date for the event and create serious devastation for Glasgow management, athletes, spectators and the media.
Resource leveling would require a change in the already schedule date for the event which could cause catastrophe for the project.
For a company like MTD resource leveling will not be the best. Instead the resource smoothing should be adopted.
Executing resource levelling is not feasible, particularly for MTD pure water supplies. The project would result in delays and increased costs, as acknowledged by the project manager in one of the videos. To meet the immediate water requirements and ensure clean, uncontaminated water for the upcoming event just three days away, the project team had to resort to using water tankers and buffer bags. This approach, known as project smoothing, required additional expenses but allowed them to deliver water on time despite the contamination of the initial planned water delivery source or pipe, with the event organizers covering the extra costs.
MTD WATER PROJEC: It is crucial to adopt a resource leveling strategy to achieve the desired objectives.
Considering the delay non-critical tasks approach in resource levelling, the project can maintain its progress within the available float period without affecting the critical path. This approach aims to balance the demand on resources while considering their potential and capacity.
This approach is indeed viable as it ensures a stable workload without altering the existing resource capacity. Instead, it focuses on rescheduling, which may impact project deadlines. Whatever the cost required to complete the project, it will be made feasible. If additional workforce is needed to expedite a process, it will be arranged accordingly.
Resource smoothing focus on maintaining project deadline even as the project cost increases. While resource leveling in the other hand,does not destroy or bring down the capacity of the existing resource but rather reschedule which may have infact on the project deadline.
Either resource smoothing or levelling can be applied to the MDT project depending on whether or not the change requiring resources allocation is on the critical path of the project plan or not.
It’s best to use the Resource smoothing rather than the rwsouce levlling because it available MTD stick by the planned deadlines so the clients don’t run out of water at any point but just increasing the cost.
I don’t think implementing levelling approach is advisable because rescheduling is required water company and it is difficult if not impossible to achieve with this approach.
I would suggest the use of resource smoothing which makes gives room for original project deadlines
I don’t believe that the resource leveling technique will be a good choice for this project because it will have an impact on the project schedule and incur more costs. Since time is of the essence for the MTD project, resource smoothing will instead be an effective approach.
Due to the status of the project at hand, I would go with resource smoothing, although it would have an impact on the cost but it would help stay on track, finish the project at the expected date and also help maintain quality.
Resource Leveling for the MTD, the water installation events company and the Glasgow event would not be advisable because rescheduling will have a major impact on the project deadlines which will affect the stakeholders and project manager deliverables.
But I will suggest we implement Resource smoothing which aims to maintain original project deadlines while increasing project costs. At first, Increasing project costs might not be comfortable but at the long run, hiring more hands on the project will maintain the project deadline while producing effective results.