{"id":1359,"date":"2021-02-06T00:00:42","date_gmt":"2021-02-06T00:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ec2-52-95-249-27.ap-south-1.compute.amazonaws.com:8000\/blog\/?p=1359"},"modified":"2023-12-21T07:19:33","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T07:19:33","slug":"getting-resource-levelling-right-for-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ec2-52-95-249-27.ap-south-1.compute.amazonaws.com:8000\/blog\/getting-resource-levelling-right-for-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Resource Leveling Right for Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"

The workforce is the most valuable asset for any organization. Their core competencies, hard work, and dedication help you succeed and make a mark in the industry. Managers must therefore implement the right resourcing measures<\/strong> to utilize their skills to the maximum while maintaining the resource health index.<\/p>\n

However, a Forbes survey<\/a> says that 61% of employees<\/strong> are burned out on the job. <\/span><\/p>\n

To keep this percentage to a minimum, the onus is on managers and decision-makers to ensure that none of their employees are over-utilized, disengaged, or burned out at the workplace. However, often it happens when an ad hoc task comes up, and due to limited resource availability<\/a>, you assign it to an employee who is booked for his\/her total capacity. Overloading the resource<\/strong> will eventually lead to burn out<\/strong> and lowered productivity<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Project managers<\/a> can combat this challenge with smart project planning<\/strong><\/a> and certain resource optimization techniques. Resource leveling<\/strong> is one such technique that helps you manage resource schedules<\/strong> efficiently. Implementing this technique will enable the decision-makers to accomplish critical project tasks in the stipulated time.<\/p>\n

This blog emphasizes the basic concepts of resource leveling<\/strong> and its importance in the project management<\/a> landscape.<\/p>\n

\"Optimize<\/a>
\nLet\u2019s begin by understanding the definition,<\/p>\n

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

According to the Project Management Body of Knowledge<\/strong> (PMBOK) Guide, resource leveling<\/strong> is defined as \u2018A technique in which start and finish dates are adjusted based on resource constraints with the goal of balancing the demand for resources with the available supply\u2019.<\/p>\n

Consider an example for better understanding,<\/p>\n

One of your project tasks is allocated to a resource<\/a> who is working on two other projects in parallel. In this case, there is a chance that the resource is working beyond his\/her capacity<\/a>. To ensure that the employee is not over-utilized, you go ahead and adjust the project timeline in accord with the availability of that critical employee.<\/p>\n

This process of extending the project deadlines<\/strong> or adjusting the project commence dates<\/strong> to align the resource demand<\/a> against the available capacity<\/strong><\/a> is known as resource-leveling. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Getting<\/a><\/p>\n

Another technique often used to optimize resource allocation<\/a> is resource smoothing. Here is a brief comparison of the two:<\/p>\n

Resource leveling vs. Resource smoothing<\/h2>\n

As mentioned earlier, the main constraint in resource leveling is the availability of resources. On the contrary, the project deadline (the end date) is a limitation in resource smoothing.<\/p>\n

Resource smoothing<\/strong>, also known as Time Constrained Scheduling<\/strong>, is a technique used to optimize the resource schedules<\/a> without altering the project timeline. For instance, your resource is booked on a task for 8 hours for 10 days. However, the actual time required to accomplish the task is 60 hours. In this case, managers can go ahead and redistribute the schedule to 6 hours a day.<\/p>\n

This practice eases the employee\u2019s schedule and allows him\/her to focus on other projects or tasks without hampering the deadline.<\/p>\n

The key difference<\/strong> between leveling and smoothing<\/strong> is that managers can modify the timeline<\/strong> and critical path method<\/strong> in leveling unlike in resource smoothing. In addition to this, resource leveling<\/strong> is done when the workforce is overutilized<\/strong><\/a> while resource smoothing<\/strong> is performed in case of uneven resource allocation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Getting<\/a><\/p>\n

Real-life examples<\/h3>\n

Resource Leveling<\/h3>\n

An ideal scenario where resource-leveling<\/strong> works the best is a research project<\/strong>. It demands scientists with niche expertise to carry out the research and accomplish the project. However, these resources are not readily available to take up the job.<\/p>\n

This is when Resource leveling<\/strong> comes into the picture where the project end dates are usually extended to assign the task to the right person without over-allocating them<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Resource Smoothing<\/h3>\n

As mentioned earlier, resource smoothing<\/strong> is deployed when projects have a time constraint. A prime example is a banking project<\/strong>. Usually, firms have a deadline when they are filing bank applications, or else they might face a loss. Thus, extending the project timeline is not the right choice here.<\/p>\n

Instead, to deliver the project on time, project managers<\/a> implement resource smoothing to even the resource allocations<\/strong>. They can also book an additional resource to finish the task faster and avoid over-scheduling<\/strong> one employee.<\/p>\n

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

Let us now understand how does resource leveling help in the project management realm:<\/p>\n

Benefits of Resource Leveling in Project Management<\/h2>\n

The motive behind implementing resource leveling is to avoid over-utilization of the available resources and prevent employee burnout.<\/p>\n

When your resources are over-worked, it gradually lowers down their productivity<\/a>, and they focus on meeting the deadline instead of delivering quality. <\/span><\/p>\n

Resource leveling<\/strong> ensures that your employees give undivided attention<\/strong> to the high-priority project<\/strong> by shifting or altering the end dates. Here are the major benefits<\/strong> you can reap by practicing this technique:<\/p>\n