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 it would not be feasible to implement a resource-leveling approach in this scenario. This is because the project was executed under a deadline and every activity was as important as the others, if they implemented resource leveling, the project would have finished overtime which would have affected the event to happen on time and created customer dissatisfaction however I think they would have implemented resource smoothing where they look for an additional resource that will help them to finish the task within scheduled time though it implies cost increase it protect and preserve the reputation and name of the company for future projects
With the Glasgow MTD project, hardly will the delivery date be feasible, because of the gravity of the unforeseen situation that came up. in my opinion, it will not be advisable to implement the levelling approach due to deadline issues, and the ricocheting effects on all layers and actors involved in the project. i will most probably go for the resource smoothing approach, even though costing more, a failure cost was already built into the original budget, this is the advantage of building that cost into the budget. but it will get the job done and on schedule, thereby maintaining integrity and professionalism.
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Resource leveling in MTD water project. Resource Smoothing for me would have been the best since it focuses on preserving planned deadlines even though it increases the project cost when new resource is added to the team without affecting the dealine of the project. E.g when a caterer is given a project to cook for 30 people for an occasion, she will bill you based on the 30 people but maybe along the process you added extra 10 people and you still want her to meet up that day, it will cost you more because the resources available might not reach the 40 people and she will still deliver that day instead of rescheduling the event due to lack of resources which will bring delay nd more cost too.
Noted that if resource levelling is applied, the team will experience huge setbacks and even the clients will be affected by you not meeting up with the deadline and rescheduling of projects due to delays.
Resource smoothing is best for MTD, the water installation events company, and the Glasgow event so as to preserve project deadline, though it would invariably increase project cost. But you cannot afford for deadline to be affected as it is for an event.
Resource levelling would impact the deadline of the project which would impact the company’s future rating due to inability to meet a project deadline for an event.
Resource leveling in the MTD Water Project
Resource leveling will have a time impact on the MTD project as it needs some processes to be done at a certain time and in sequence before others.
MTD will deliver the project but if they try to do it with only the resources available per time they will deliver the project late, this is where the vote to apply resource smoothing comes in.
Implementing a resource levelling approach for MTD’s water installation project would have been the option but because in this project some phases are considered before another, it’s a project that one job must be completed before another one comes in. With the knowledge of resource levelling, they do not change the current capacity. It’s more of rescheduling which obviously can’t work in MTD but when resource smoothing comes in there will be an increase in project cost but the deadline will be fixed and preserved.
Applying resources leveling in MTD project could cause a great set back and make the project slown,thereby not been deliver at expected time
Using the MTD Water project as an example;
Resource Smoothing is the best based on the fact that it tends to focus on preserving planned deadlines though it increases project cost when a new resource is added to the team without affecting the deadline of the project.
On the other hand, If resource levelling is applied, the team will experience huge setbacks and even the clients such as not meeting up with the deadline and rescheduling of projects due to delays.
I agree with you, resource smoothing seems to be the best approach here
Implementing a resource leveling approach for MTD’s water installation events in Glasgow could help optimize resource usage, prevent overallocation, and ensure a smoother execution. Factors such as event complexity, timeline, and resource availability would need to be considered for a comprehensive feasibility assessment.
I will not agree to resource leveling having great impact on MTD water project because in this project some phases are considered before another, its like saying a job must be completed before another one comes in. With the knowledge of resource levelling that they do not change the current capacity. It’s more of rescheduling which obviously can’t work in MTD but when resource smoothing comes in tho there will be increase in project cost but the deadline will be fixed and preserved.
The additional cost will be invested which will yield good outcomes as the deadline for the project phases remain intact.
For Glasglow I believe with all these videos about the firm resource leveling will be good for them.
This is a good defense of the resource smoothing and I like your username.