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
Considering the MTD water company, with the view that the Working nature of this project is not always really certain, in This case it would not be advisable to implement resource smoothing, reason been that it will add more costs to it, as the project already have much costs so it would not be advisable or proper to add more costs, therefore as a project manager I will advise the MTD company to implement Resource levelling which can only extend the deadline but work with available or agreed resources, communicate with the stakeholders, the team n the client/customer to create awareness regarding the change in deadline “extension” for the company to be able to deliver and maintain the quality of the project with the available resource.
Considering MTD and Glasgow project management I think a total revision of the project scope by the stakeholders is very important so as to determine a more efficient approach based on cost and other variables because resource smoothing will increase cost of the project which may have already been expensive while resource levelling will not increase cost but will extend the project time frame which may also be catastrophic.
Resource smoothing would have been best with clients complete agreement because extra costs are going to be inccured
Resource levelling changes the project deadline, postponing an event because of contractor failure to deliver is unacceptable, unless there some float between event day and project deadline
At MTD, the water installation is not certain and applying the resource smoothing strategy might be helpful due to the scope of project and the time frame needed to satisfy clients and stakeholders. Applying the Resource levelling approach may not be the best choice applicable in tune with the scope of the project and also the costs implication.
Lanssina TO
Cohort 7, Team 6, Group 3
Resources smoothing will be the best option to go through the project until ending.
Resources levelling will affect entirely the project deadline.
Considering the MTD company, the working nature of this project is not always that certain which means that at some point in time other approach might be considered to present a result. Project levelling might play a vital role in this scenario considering that the original cost of the project might be too expensive to add more cost – project smoothing to deliver the job with specified deadline. Therefore in other not to add more cost, I think it best the project nature be discussed with the clients and all the stakeholders of the project by presenting how the levelling process will be used according to deliver a quality project although at different deadline
As a Project Manager for MTD I’ll rather apply resource leveling.
Resource leveling does not alter the existing resource capacity but instead emphasizes rescheduling, which may have an impact on project deadlines.
Resource levelling is not the best for MTD water project since it is used when there are resource constraints or conflicts within a project. However, MTD water project is much more about time management which requires the completion of the project within a specific period of time. Hence, adopting resource levelling or resource smoothing depends on the project’s particular circumstances.
Using the MTD Water project as an example;
Resource Smoothing is the best option base on the fact that it focuses 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.
If resource levelling is applied, there would be loads of consequences for the team and even the clients such as not meeting up with the deadline and rescheduling of projects due to delays.
Resource smoothing aims to maintain original product deadline while increasing cost of project.
Resource levelling does not change the alternative capability but can emphasize rescheduling. MTD may adopt both base on the scope of the awarded project.
In order to execute a project for MTD Resources smoothing should be considered as the best technique to use, it increases the cost and time management and it is very essential and quality assurance.the project can be completed before or on the deadline.