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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I think resource leveling approach will work better with MTD water system because the project is not complex and volatile. But for Gaslow project entails a lot of complexities and the environment is also volatile.
Considering the situation with MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event, it might be possible to apply a resource leveling approach. Resource leveling is a technique used in project management to address resource shortfalls or excesses by adjusting the project schedule. Given the context of the company and the event, here are some considerations:
1. Resource Smoothing or Time-Limited Scheduling:
– This approach involves adjusting the project schedule to smooth out resource requirements. It could be useful for MTD if they have fluctuations in resource demand during the Glasgow event preparation. By redistributing the workload more evenly over the project duration, MTD could potentially manage resources more effectively.
2. Reschedule or Increase Resources:
– MTD could consider rescheduling tasks or increasing resources if certain activities are experiencing resource shortfalls. This might involve adjusting the timeline of specific tasks or bringing in additional resources to meet demand.
3. Hold End Date:
– If MTD is facing resource constraints, they might need to consider extending the project timeline to accommodate the limitations. This approach could allow them to complete the work without overloading their resources.
4. Do the Best with What You Have:
– In some cases, MTD might need to make the best of the resources available to them and adjust their plans accordingly. This approach involves optimizing resource usage and finding alternative solutions to work within the given constraints.
5. End Date Slips:
– If resource shortages persist and cannot be easily resolved, MTD may need to consider allowing the project end date to be delayed. This would give them more time to manage resource constraints and complete the project effectively.
6. Resource Leveling or Resource-Limited Scheduling:
– This approach involves examining resource availability and adjusting the project schedule to smooth out resource demand. MTD could use this method to ensure that resources are allocated in a balanced manner throughout the project, helping to manage any shortages or excesses.
Finally, applying a resource leveling approach could potentially help MTD manage resource constraints and ensure efficient utilization of resources during the Glasgow event preparation. However, the specific approach to be used would depend on the nature of the resource constraints and the unique circumstances of the project.
Resource smoothing is the best choice as both ways will still attract additional cost at the end of the day
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 guidelines 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
Prominent event firms such as MTD and Glasgow Events prioritize the timely completion of projects. When faced with a choice between meeting project deadlines at a higher expense or entirely rescheduling delivery, management might prefer the former. This is because, despite a slight increase in costs, adhering to project timelines in the events industry has a positive influence on the reputation of events management. Consequently, in this scenario, opting for resource smoothing is potentially a more favorable approach than resource-leveling.
Though both resource leveling and resource smoothing are good, as they create impact on projects cost in their different ways, considering this circumstance, resource smoothing is ideal, reason being that, even while coat increases, there is the assurance of meeting deadlines, with quality projects as a priority.
Resource Smoothing is better of, there’s increase in cost , and workload in other to achieve quality results within the specified time.
MTD and the Glasgow events are high profile events firms that would prefer certain deadlines on projects being met. If the management is faced between delivering projects according to initial deadlines at increased cost and complet reschedule of delivery time, may prefer the former. This may be due to the fact that timely delivery of projects in the events sector has a corresponding positive influence on events management profile irrespective of slight increase in cost. Hence, resource levelling may not be a feasible concept here, rather, resource smoothing may be preferred.
Both Resource smoothing and resource leveling affects project cost in their own ways . So for this case . Resource smoothing is better because it ensures project deadline is met while cost increases . Unless stakeholder of a particular thinks project deadline can be extended without minding, then resource leveling can come into play
I don’t think it will be posible because they will loose the trust of the client