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
Resource levelling can be applied in the MTD water installation project but resource smoothing should be applied to the Glasgow project because it is towards an event which already has a fixed date and can not be moved.
Considering the MTD events and deadline, I will apply the rescues smoothing approach though it will increase the cost of the project but it will help achieve the original plan and ensure the project is delivered in record time with the quality required.
Regarding the resource management for the MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event, it has been determined that resource leveling would not be advisable. Rescheduling these events would have a significant impact on project deadlines, which would ultimately affect the stakeholders and the deliverables of the project manager.
However, we recommend implementing resource smoothing instead. This approach aims to maintain the original project deadlines while acknowledging that it may result in increased project costs. While the idea of increased costs may initially be uncomfortable, we believe that hiring additional personnel for the project will help maintain the project deadline and ultimately lead to more effective results.
Based on the provided figure, it seems that implementing a resource leveling approach in the MTD Glasgow event scenario would be feasible. Resource leveling involves rescheduling activities to avoid resource overallocation, which is a common issue in project management. In the case of MTD, it appears that there are several instances of resource overallocation, particularly in the lead-up to the event. By rescheduling activities, MTD could avoid overloading their resources and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget. However, it’s important to note that resource leveling may require trade-offs between time, cost, and quality, and MTD would need to carefully consider these factors when making scheduling decisions.
Implementation of resources leveling approach and resources smoothing.
As a PM, I would apply my approach based on the project I am handling.
I could use part of resources leveling approach and part of resources smoothing for better results.
With the MTD water project, and the issue of deadline, I don’t thing resource levelling is the best approach, due to the fact that, the event has a fixed date to start and all necessary arrangements has been put in place, it just for MTD to complete there own expect of the project, I feel resource smoothing is a more suitable approach to implement. When resource smoothing is apply it shows the level of understanding the project manager and the sponsor has, and it shows how important timing and deadline is to MTD.
It’s gives the organization more credibility and earn the organization more trust from the stakeholders.
With all the delays in activities and extension of deadline, resource levelling will not be the best approach to implement. If resource levelling is implemented MTD will encounter a lot of issues with the sponsor, the stakeholders and the public in general.
I know quality is very important in project delivery, if the cost can be increased (more resources are made available), and also the right personnel with a right amount of experience are engaged, the quality of project delivery will still be intact, the deadline is mat. So I feel resource smoothing is the best approach to implement.
Resource smoothing is used when the time constraint takes priority. The objective is to complete the work by the required date while avoiding peaks and troughs of resource demand. Resource levelling is used when limits on the availability of resources are paramount.
Here are some reasons why your team can benefit from resource leveling approach
-To optimize your resources
-To minimize deficits.
-To prevent task overloading.
-To ensure the quality of a project output
-Critical Path Method (CPM)
-Fast tracking.
-Crashing.
-Critical chain method
Resource leveling is important because it: Eliminates over-allocation: by balancing the demands of project tasks with resource capacity, resource leveling removes the risks of over-allocating resources. Enhances productivity and reduces burnout: by removing over-allocation, the risk of resource burnout is reduced.
Looking at the MTD project the application of resource smoothing will be a better choice than resource leveling it will increase cost but it will maintain project original timing
Implementing resource leveling approach will be relevant to this scenario because the resource that will be used will be the same and there will be possibility of rescheduling the time.
Using MTD Water as a cited example, Resource Smoothing is the better option. As we all know, Water is a necessity at every point in time and at every event. If resource levelling is going to be considered, there would be loads of consequences for the team and even the clients.
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.