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
The MTD Water Project is time-sensitive, imaging the team coming to install the water after the sporting event has started, the purpose of the project would have been defeated, MTD’s priority is quality and timely delivery for customers’ satisfaction. For the Glasgow event, I recommend resource smoothing.
Resource leveling on the MTD project could be appropriate because there was need for maintaining the time frame and enhance collaboration.
Resource leveling could avert over spending or overallocation of resources .
The Resources Levelling strategy is not a feasible route for the MTD for a singular obvious reason which is the event for which they cater which is mostly live.
While resource leveling might peel off their costs it will shift and affect the project timeline. The timeline using MTD and their services as a reference is very strict as a sporting game and other live events cannot be moved due to some shortfalls such as water availability
The strength of this resource management strategy lies in identifying critical and non-critical project activities, and shifting, spreading, or splitting non-critical activities however the subject of drinkable water at sporting events demands a more linear response with the iterative response coming in wherever seems to be a challenge so the management of MTD will have to go the Resource smoothing route though it will affect the project original cost but ensure timely delivery.
Team 3
A comprehensive view on resource overload ( PM Course discussion)
Considering the MTD scenario, it would have still be possible and better to apply Resource Leveling because of the following considerations:
1. Advantage: Leveling aims to minimize resource overallocation and ensures a more even distribution of workload throughout the project duration. It prioritizes resource availability and adherence to the project schedule.
2. Schedule Stability: Leveling focuses on maintaining the project schedule and eliminating resource conflicts by adjusting task dependencies and extending project timelines if necessary.
3. Resource Utilization: Leveling helps in optimizing resource utilization by preventing overloading, ensuring resources are not strained or stretched beyond their capacity.
4. Enhanced Collaboration: By preventing resource conflicts, leveling promotes smoother collaboration among team members, allowing them to work on their tasks without unnecessary delays.
Efficient utilization of resources is a key element towards success of a project and indeed leveling comes in handy.
Considering the critical nature of the Glasgow event and the fact that is time bound, I will recommend resource smoothing for MTD Water Project. MTD’s priority is quality and timely delivery for customers’ satisfaction. For the Glasgow event, cost was not the major thing that was considered but quality and delivery time which was why the went extra mile to create an alternative means to meet the immediate water requirements and ensure clean, uncontaminated water for the event. The project team had to bring in water tankers and buffer bags. This definitely help them to meet deadline but increase cost which mostly are covered by event organizers and sponsors.
I agree with your view. this is my view as well.
Pedro Akhimien, Cohort 12, Team 9
For me, I feel it will be okay to apply the resource leveling approach to the MTD and Glasgow project.
This resource management strategy concentrates on re-scheduling while not altering the resource capacity. This usually does not affect the costs but may affect project timelines/deadlines.
The strength of this resource management strategy lies in identifying critical and non-critical project activities, and shifting, spreading, or splitting non-critical activities along the project lifecycle but within their float.
“‘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”.
As regards MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event. I will suggest the resource smoothing as the solution. This is due to the fact that resource smoothing tends to maintain the original deadline for the project but at a higher cost. The event date has been fixed and altering the date will not make sense. Hence the need to add extra “experts” to meet the deadline.
The advantages of resource smoothing include.
-It prevents missed deadlines
-It maximizes resource utilization
-It reduces stress and burnout
Referencing the MTD, Water Installation Company, and Glasgow Event Company. Yes, it is feasible to implement a resource-leveling approach in such a scenario. The resource leveling won’t alter the existing resource capacity but instead underlines rescheduling, which may only affect project deadlines.
And it helps MTD peel off resource scarcity/excess, and maintain budgeted costs to deliver a quality project.
For the MTD water installation, I think it will be good if they use resource leveling not minding that it will make the project not to be delivered at the appointed time but it will bring in much more good in terms of rescheduling for proper handling of the project…
Micah Chijioke Madu
Project Management
Cohort 12
Team 6
I think it to be quite feasible to apply the resource levelling approach to the MTD/Glasgow project.
This resource management strategy concentrates on rescheduling while not altering resource capacity. This usually does not affect cost, but may affect project deadlines.
The strength of this resource management strategy lies in identifying critical and none critical project activities, and shifting, spreading or splitting none critical activities along the project lifecycle but within their float.
This can easily be applied to a project scope like that of the water installation events company MTD, and the Glasgow event. This will aid MTD mitigate resource scarcity/overload, maintain budgeted cost, deliver expected quality, and achieve project deadline.