{"id":2178,"date":"2022-03-10T15:07:41","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T15:07:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weekwise.com\/?p=2178"},"modified":"2023-04-20T10:48:59","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T10:48:59","slug":"resource-leveling-vs-smoothing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weekwise.com\/cs\/resource-leveling-vs-smoothing\/","title":{"rendered":"Resource Leveling vs. Resource Smoothing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Effective resource allocation is key to the success of any project. But, there are always some resource limits. These limits could be deadlines, simultaneous projects, or the resources themselves – if you\u2019re missing them.). Luckily, you can work around the obstacles with the right techniques and still have a successful outcome. Depending on your obstacles, you can choose from these two tactics: resource smoothing or resource leveling.<\/p>\n

\"Resource<\/p>\n\n

What is resource smoothing?<\/h2>\n\n

Resource smoothing in project management is also sometimes called time-limited resource scheduling. Resource smoothing involves organizing and reorganizing your resources to make sure the project finishes on time<\/strong>. Basically, it refers to the flexibility of your resources within an inflexible deadline.<\/p>\n\n

There are two key concepts of time<\/strong> in resource smoothing<\/strong>: total float and free float.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

Total float is the amount of time that you can delay a project activity without delaying the overall duration of the project. So, total float looks at activity time compared to the deadline of the project. Total float is also sometimes referred to simply as float or slack.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

Free float is the amount of time a project activity can be delayed without affecting the start of the following activity. So, free float looks at time in relation to each project activity.<\/p>\n\n

When resource smoothing should be used<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Resource smoothing is used when your main constraint is time<\/strong>: the project is absolutely timebound and a determined finishing date is the number one priority. If you use WeekWise you can easily identify, allocate, and adjust resources within a project\u2019s deadline.<\/p>\n\n

Here\u2019s a brief resource smoothing example.
<\/strong>There are 5 project activities with four-week cycles with an unchangeable eight-week deadline. The outputs of Activities 4 and 5 result in the project\u2019s successful outcome. Activities 1, 2, and 3 can be completed at the same time. Activity 4 is dependent on Activities 1 and 2 so cannot start until they are completed. But, activity 5 is dependent on Activity 3. Activity 1 gets a bit delayed (free float) and needs Activity 2\u2019s resource to help out. Activity 3 finishes before Activities 1 and 2, so Activity 5 can start earlier than Activity 4 (free float). Activity 4 can be slightly delayed because Activity 5 will finish before Activity 4 and then Activity 5\u2019s resources can be moved to Activity 4 (free float) to ensure Activity 4 also finishes on time (total float).<\/p>\n\n

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Pros and cons of resource smoothing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Pros of resource smoothing include finishing on time, cost-effectiveness, and general efficiency.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

Cons include potential overwork and burnout from stress, the potential for inappropriate task assignments to meet a deadline.<\/p>\n

Find out more on How to manage the stress of compelling a project.\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n

What is resource leveling?<\/h2>\n\n

Resource leveling in project management involves assessing when your resources are available and what constraints they might have<\/strong>. Then you make or adjust the project schedule based on the resource capacity<\/strong><\/a>. This means the project might start earlier or, more commonly, finish later than originally planned. Resource leveling is sometimes called resource-limited scheduling.<\/p>\n\n

All resource leveling techniques must analyze and assess the constraints on resources. Examples of constraints that may apply to your resources are<\/p>\n\n