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
On the case of MTD and Event Glasgow, resource smoothing methodology can not be compromised on this project. Even though, the time, cost and quality are very important elements to consider, the fact remains that the purpose of this water projects awarded to MTD is for the purpose of the Glasgow Sport events that has already been fixed to commence on a particular date.
Every stakeholders of this events must have been involved, and it’ll be too late to fail in delivering at a stretched time beyond the agreed project delivering date.
Resource smoothing which should be the best approach against Resource Leveling should be the second to non decision. The truth holds that, it’s going to add more to cost because of some overtime workload, add more hands if the need be among others, the implication this may carry may include increase in domestic accidents at the work place, health risks among the workers, increase in the budget allocated.
Despite all these, the truth remains that, nothing can be better than making a project of the kind delivered at the slated time and or date.
Resource leveling may be better since it won’t alter the project resources capability but gives room for improvement.
So, it’s better adjust the project duration than adding more costs.
MTD did not use the resource-levelling approach which was not possible due to the delivery dateline. Rather they used resource-smoothing by requesting for the additional volume of water from a nearby facility.
Resource leveling may be better since it won’t alter the project resources capability but gives room for adjustments and to me it’s better to affect the project duration than adding more costs.
For a MTD, resource leveling would probably be the better option. Since the company’s goal is likely to complete the installation as quickly as possible, the goal of resource leveling (completing the project quickly) aligns with the company’s overall goal. The main drawback of resource leveling is that it can result in periods of underutilization for resources. However, in the case of a water installation company, it’s likely that the resources (such as construction workers) are specialized and not easily interchangeable, so the risk of underutilization is lower.
Resource leveling will be better for MTD because it will not alter the existing resource capacity but will give room for rescheduling which will not have impact on the project deadlines.
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.
Resource leveling will be better for MTD because it will not alter the existing resource capacity but will give room for rescheduling which may have impact on the project deadlines.
Resource leveling will be best for MTD because it gives room for because it won’t affect the duration or deadline of the project
Resource levelling maintain the project deadline but increase the resources, manpower and it doesn’t alter the project resources, in the case of MTD the water installation event, resource levelling might be possible cause as it won’t affect the project deadline and the scope of the project just addition resources will be added.