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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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
Considering the high cost of resources smoothing, implementing it is good and should be discussed to the sponsors. As the MTD works resources leveling will not be advised, because water is a very essential need in life. Looking at all that has been written the resources smoothing is to be implemented.
We have been told that MTD which is majorly a water installation company at event centre is usually the last company to move to site after all other facilities have been installed eg the brick work, furniture work and even the plumbing work etc. Its even a hectic fight having to get out 3 to 4 days for them to fit in the water works before the start of the event proper.
With such constrain on time, Resource Leveling that impact deadline but no added cost will not be recommended. However Resources Smoothing which preserves deadline duration with not too significant impact on Resource capacity/ Budget would be most ideal.
Since the event date is fixed and sacrosanct its best to deploy/absorb more cost by employing Resource Smoothing to prevent fluctuatons and shift in deadline / timing so as to preserve the event.
Resource smoothing will be the best approach to get the job done. Although it will bring about extra cost, the project will be delivered as at the agreed time.
With a tight deadline and of course expedited deliverable, i will advise MTD apply resource smoothing, discuss with the sponsors or organization, elucidate on why it is necessary and get the job done
In a stable and advanced community with premium value on the timely comfort of its inhabitants, such a project – handled by MTD Company – will be advised to employ resource smoothing. This will ensure prompt delivery with strict compliance. Except for unforeseen circumstances that may request for employing resource-leveling.
MTD is an installation water company and best approach which can be used is resource smoothing which will make the delivery more costly but more efficient. Except for unforseen circumstances which can lead to reschedule that is resources levelling.
Resource smoothing will be favourable for the event company because events comes with fixed dates and it will be totally disruptive to alter the schedule. Resource Leveling working with the float or increase the schedule will be more suitable for MTD the water company. This will increase the project cost, however the deliverable will meet acceptable criteria.
The terms “resource smoothing” and “resource leveling” are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between the two. Resource smoothing is a general term that refers to any process of balancing the workload of a team or project over time. This can include spreading tasks out evenly over the course of a project, or ensuring that each team member has a balanced workload. Resource leveling is a specific technique within resource smoothing that focuses on spreading the workload evenly across all resources. So, while resource leveling is a type of resource smoothing, the terms are not exactly the same.
Because of the MTD company, the project’s operational nature is not always certain, so at some point, alternative approaches to presenting the results may be taken into consideration. Given that the initial project cost may have been too high to incur additional costs for project smoothing in order to complete the work by the deadline, project leveling may be essential in this situation. Thus, in order to avoid incurring additional costs, I believe it is best to discuss the project’s nature with clients and all other stakeholders by outlining how the leveling process will be applied in order to produce a high-quality project, albeit with a different deadline.
Some projects does not give room for completion date adjustment which would have fit in into resource leveling. In a project where the delivery date can not be adjusted forward, I prefer using resource smoothing. Although my cost will increase but I will deliver on the due date.