Resource Leveling versus Resource Smoothing - Key Project Management Concepts from the PMBOK

Summary

This video explains the key differences between resource leveling and resource smoothing in project management, particularly for PMP exam preparation. Resource leveling adjusts resource use to match availability, often changing the critical path by shifting tasks. It’s useful when resources are over-allocated, such as a single person assigned to multiple tasks simultaneously. In contrast, resource smoothing adjusts activities within their float to avoid changing the critical path, using available schedule flexibility. The video provides examples and emphasizes the importance of understanding these techniques for effective project scheduling.

Takeaways

• 📚 Resource optimization adjusts start and finish dates of activities to match resource availability, avoiding overallocation.
• ⚖️ Resource leveling is used when shared or critically required resources are overallocated during the same time period.
• 🔄 Resource leveling can cause changes to the original critical path due to shifting activities to balance resource use.
• 👥 Example: If a person is assigned to two tasks simultaneously, one task must be shifted to another time period to avoid overallocation.
• 🕒 Resource leveling extends the time frame of activities, which can affect the overall project schedule.
• 🔧 Resource smoothing adjusts activities within their available float without changing the critical path.
• 🛠️ Unlike resource leveling, resource smoothing only uses available slack time and does not extend the project duration.
• 📈 Critical path remains unchanged during resource smoothing as it only adjusts activities within their float.
• 🗓️ Example: A task with 5 days of float can be delayed without affecting the project timeline, maintaining schedule integrity.
• 💡 Understanding the difference between resource leveling and smoothing is crucial for project management, especially for PMP exams.

Q & A

What is resource optimization in project management?

Resource optimization is used to adjust the start and finish dates of activities to align planned resource usage with actual resource availability. This helps ensure that more resources aren't used than are available, avoiding delays due to a lack of resources.

What are the two techniques used for resource optimization?

The two techniques used for resource optimization are resource leveling and resource smoothing.

How does resource leveling differ from resource smoothing?

Resource leveling adjusts the resources by moving their assignments and can extend the project schedule, potentially changing the critical path. Resource smoothing, on the other hand, adjusts activities within their available float, ensuring the critical path and overall schedule remain unchanged.

When is resource leveling typically used?

Resource leveling is used when shared or critically required resources are over-allocated, meaning they are assigned to two or more activities during the same time period.

What impact does resource leveling have on the critical path?

Resource leveling can change the critical path because it adjusts the schedule to level out resource usage, which may extend the project's timeline.

Can you give an example of resource leveling in action?

In resource leveling, if Sue is assigned to two activities (A and B) during the same time period, the project manager would move activity B to a different time period, ensuring Sue is not working on two tasks simultaneously. This adjustment might extend the project's timeline.

What is the purpose of resource smoothing?

Resource smoothing aims to adjust activities within their free and total float without changing the critical path. It ensures that resources are used efficiently without extending the project timeline.

How does resource smoothing affect the project schedule?

Resource smoothing does not change the critical path or the overall project schedule because it only shifts activities within the available float.

What is the difference between free float and total float?

Free float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the subsequent activity, while total float is the time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project's overall finish date.

Why is it important to understand resource leveling and smoothing for the PMP exam?

It is important to understand these concepts because they are frequently tested on the PMP exam, and confusion between the two could lead to incorrect answers. Understanding when to use each technique and their effects on the project schedule is crucial.