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
MTD, the water installation company, and Glasgow Events Company often work on events with set start and end dates. It’s recommended to use a resource-smoothing strategy, even if it might lead to higher costs. The main aim is to ensure the project is finished on time. This is crucial to avoid disappointing event sponsors who have invested significantly in organizing the event within a specific timeframe. The priority is delivering a final product or service that meets the required standards and quality.
In this scenario, Resource levelling has more advantages because it involves smoothing out the allocation of resources to prevent peaks and troughs, ensuring a more consistent workflow. Factors such as the project timeline, available resources, and potential challenges in resource allocation would need to be considered to determine the feasibility of implementing a resource-leveling approach in this particular scenario.
The MTD water project is tasked with delivering onsite water facilities by a set event date, making resource smoothing the key solution for timely delivery
Given the frequent involvement of MTD, the water installation company, and Glasgow Events Company in events with fixed start and end dates, adopting a resource-smoothing strategy is advisable. Despite potential increased costs, the primary goal is to guarantee the on-time completion of the project. This approach is vital to prevent any dissatisfaction among event sponsors who have made substantial investments in organizing the event within the specified timeframe. The focus should be on delivering a final product or service that aligns with the necessary standards and quality.
In my opinion, the best approach to adopt in this instance is resources smoothing where the agreed timeline is retained. Resource smoothing will be advisable so that deadlines will be met.
Resource smoothing focuses on preserving planned deadlines but increasing project costs; resource levelling does not change the current capacity but focuses instead on rescheduling, with a possible impact on project deadlines.
It would be best for the water installation event company should adopt the resources smoothing approach which focuses on preserving planned deadlines but increasing projects cost without changing the current capacity..
Due to the event date, it is not feasible to implement a resource leveling approach within the given deadline for completion.
Resource smoothing will be considered at this point, in order to meet up with the deadline of the project event organized. MTD water project had already a defined date and risk of losing future projects and customers has to be considered by bringing in other strategies to meet the deadline though it affects the project cost
Advisable in this situation is resource smoothing to ensure meeting deadlines. The project phases and plans would remain largely unchanged, with cost implications being the primary consideration. The MTD water project is tasked with delivering onsite water facilities by a set event date, making resource smoothing the key solution for timely delivery
In this scenario, Resource levelling has more advantages because it involves smoothing out the allocation of resources to prevent peaks and troughs, ensuring a more consistent workflow. Factors such as the project timeline, available resources, and potential challenges in resource allocation would need to be considered to determine the feasibility of implementing a resource-leveling approach in this particular scenario.
In this scenario, resource smoothing will be advisable so that deadlines will be met. The phases and project plans wouldn’t change that much except cost implications. MTD water project has the responsibility to deliver onsite water facilities to meet the need of the users at an already established event date, so the solution that will help with the delivery date would be resource smoothing.