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 smoothing focuses on preserving planned deadlines while increasing project costs; resource levelling does not change current capacity but focuses on rescheduling but impacts the project deadline
Resource leveling may not be feasible in this scenario since the events cannot be easily rescheduled, and any attempts to do so would incur significant costs. This is primarily because invitations, tickets, and event advertisements have already been created and distributed. Consequently, resource smoothing emerges as a more viable option as it allows for the completion of the task by the anticipated deadline or possibly even earlier.
As the MTD project manager mentioned, it would be better to apply the resource levelling to allocate resources according to their availability and after gathering quality information that would help the production of quality product. Though the resource levelling impacts on the deadlines but all the stakeholders are informed as long as the cost remain unchanged in order to finally provide the quality water distribution system.
Resource leveling will not suit MTD’s project case scenario. There’s a fixed date for the event and resource leveling can extend deadlines, this would be catastrophic for the whole event.
I would consider resource leveling for the MDT water cooperation because levelling balances workload and still impacts on project deadlines.
Whatever the nature of a project, both the human, physical, and time continuum impact the planning and decision-making. For example, when a project is of a hybrid nature, like MTD, resource scarcity is unavoidable.
However, a project manager has to reconsider the project scope by either rescheduling the deadline or maintaining the deadline and playing around with the rest of the resources available.
All in all, every project has conditions to fulfill and has constraints related to resources. The solution depends on how a project manager reacts to every situation in the project life cycle.
For MTD resource smoothing is the best option for the company as the project has been planned and has an end date.
Resources leveling suits MTD’s projects in my opinion because resource leveling balances workload and still impacts on project deadlines
I will consider resource levelling as the best option for MTD , as it involve balancing workload on resources although it might be cost but it could be reduced through better scheduling. it will also help reduce the risk of stress.
In my own opinion , For MTD that operates on deadlines, resource smoothing is the way to go. Project price will be impacted but we must note that delivery is a major factor.
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