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
Yes,it would be feasible to implement a resource leveling approach in this scenario.
Resource leveling involves smoothing out resource usage to prevent peaks and valleys in resource allocation. For an event like the one MTD is organizing in Glasgow, resource leveling could help ensure that resources such as staff, equipment, and materials are allocated efficiently throughout the project timeline. This can help prevent bottlenecks and optimize resource utilization.
Resource leveling seeks to balance resource availability and demand by delaying or splitting tasks to minimize resource overloads and resolve conflicts. Resource smoothing seeks to sustain a steady rate of resource utilization over time by modifying non-critical activities within their float.
Although they apply different methodologies and emphasize different goals, both techniques aid in the efficient management of project schedules and resource utilization.
Cohort 13 Team 6
Due to time constraints, resource smoothing will be a more feasible approach than resource levelling in the MTD events, because there’s already a fixed timeline which may have been communicated to end users. Rescheduling the time may have a great negative impact to the project than increasing cost, due to the project being a time sensitive one.
Ogheneochuko Ogheneruona
MTD is a water installation company for event and every of their projects has stipulated time line, Hence resource leveling might not be suitable if adopted as it involves rescheduling of time frame due to limited resources which will invariably affect the project deadline.
But if project sponsors are will to increase project cost or resources then resources smoothing would be the best option.
Resource levelling is the best approach using the water installation approach. It definitely will be good to make rescheduling and making appropriate approaches to tackle the project.
Given that MTD must to the deadline of the Glasgow event, which date cannot be shifted, i believe resource levelling will not be most appropriate strategy to use here. Rather, resource smoothing, which will preserve the deadline but increase project cost will be more suitable.
Yeah
I think it’s totally possible to utilise resource levelling for the MDT Project
Since the MTD water installation is for a purpose that’s stipulated to start at a given time, provided the water must be installed before the commencement of the event, resources leveling is the best option in balancing the work load on the resources. Any other compromises could alter the deliverable time.
In order avoid rises and falls in resource usage, resource levelling entails rescheduling operations within the limitations of current resource capacities. Resource leveling could be a workable tactic to balance resource demand across the project timeline in the given situation if there are variations in resource availability or if some resources are over-allocated during particular project periods.
Resource leveling would be best used, because it balances work on resources.