Resource Leveling
Where
Where We
WeAre
Are Now
Now
82
The
The Resource
Resource Problem
Problem
Resources and Priorities
Project network times are not a schedule
until resources have been assigned.
The implicit assumption is that resources will be
available in the required amounts when needed.
Adding new projects requires making realistic
judgments of resource availability and project
durations.
Cost estimates are not a budget
until they have been time-phased.
83
Project
Project Planning
Planning Process
Process
FIGURE 8.1
84
The
The Resource
Resource Problem
Problem (contd)
(contd)
Resource Smoothing (or Leveling)
Involves attempting to even out varying demands
on resources by using slack (delaying noncritical
activities) to manage resource utilization when
resources are adequate over the life of the project.
Resource-Constrained Scheduling
The duration of a project may be increased by
delaying the late start of some of its activities if
resources are not adequate to meet peak demands.
85
Types
Types of
of Project
Project Constraints
Constraints
Technical or Logic Constraints
Constraints related to the networked sequence
in which project activities must occur.
Physical Constraints
Activities that cannot occur in parallel or are affected by
contractual or environmental conditions.
Resource Constraints
The absence, shortage, or unique interrelationship and
interaction characteristics of resources that require a particular
sequencing of project activities
Kinds of Resource Constraints
People, materials, equipment
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Classification
Classification of
of AAScheduling
Scheduling Problem
Problem
Classification of Problem
Using a priority matrix will help determine if
the project is time or resource constrained.
Time-Constrained Project
Must be completed by an imposed date.
Time is fixed, resources are flexible: additional resources
are required to ensure project meets schedule.
Resource-Constrained Project
Is one in which the level of resources available cannot be
exceeded.
Resources are fixed, time is flexible: inadequate
resources
will delay the project.
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Resource
Resource Allocation
Allocation Methods
Methods
Limiting Assumptions
Splitting activities is not allowedonce an
activity is start, it is carried to completion.
Level of resources used for an activity cannot
be changed.
Risk Assumptions
Activities with the most slack pose the least risk.
Reduction of flexibility does not increase risk.
The nature of an activity (easy, complex) doesnt
increase risk.
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Resource
Resource Allocation
Allocation Methods
Methods (contd)
(contd)
Time-Constrained Projects
Must be completed by an imposed date.
Require use of leveling techniques that focus
on balancing or smoothing resource demands.
Use positive slack (delaying noncritical activities)
to manage resource utilization over the duration
of the project.
Peak resource demands are reduced.
Resources over the life of the project are reduced.
Fluctuation in resource demand is minimized.
89
Resource
Resource Allocation
Allocation Methods
Methods (contd)
(contd)
Resource Demand Leveling Techniques
for Time-Constrained Projects
Advantages
Peak resource demands are reduced.
Resources over the life of the project are
reduced.
Fluctuation in resource demand is minimized.
Disadvantages
Loss of flexibility that occurs from reducing slack.
Increases in the criticality of all activities.
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Resource
Resource Allocation
Allocation Methods
Methods (contd)
(contd)
Resource-Constrained Projects
Resources are limited in quantity or availability.
Activities are scheduled using heuristics
(rules-of-thumb) that focus on:
1. Minimum slack
2. Smallest (least) duration
3. Lowest activity identification number
The parallel method is used to apply heuristics
An iterative process starting at the first time period
of the project and scheduling period-by-period the
start of any activities using the three priority rules.
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Resource-Constrained
Resource-ConstrainedSchedule
Schedule through
through Period
Period223
3
FIGURE 8.4
812
Resource-Constrained
Resource-ConstrainedSchedule
Schedule through
through Period
Period223
3
FIGURE 8.4 (contd)
813
Resource-Constrained
Resource-ConstrainedSchedule
Schedule through
through Period
Period223
3
FIGURE 8.4 (contd)
814
Resource-Constrained
Resource-ConstrainedSchedule
Schedule through
through Period
Period556
6
FIGURE 8.5
815
Resource-Constrained
Resource-ConstrainedSchedule
Schedule through
through Period
Period556
6
FIGURE 8.5 (contd)
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The
The Impacts
Impacts of
of Resource-Constrained
Resource-Constrained
Scheduling
Scheduling
Reduces delay but reduces flexibility.
Increases criticality of events.
Increases scheduling complexity.
May make the traditional critical path
no longer meaningful.
Can break sequence of events.
May cause parallel activities to become
sequential and critical activities with slack to
become noncritical.
817
Benefits
Benefits of
of Scheduling
Scheduling Resources
Resources
Leaves time for consideration
of reasonable alternatives:
Cost-time tradeoffs
Changes in priorities
Provides information for time-phased
work package budgets to assess:
Impact of unforeseen events
Amount of flexibility in available resources
818
Multiproject
Multiproject Resource
Resource Schedules
Schedules
Multiproject Scheduling Problems
1. Overall project slippage
Delay on one project create delays for other
projects
2. Inefficient resource application
The peaks and valleys of resource demands create
scheduling problems and delays for projects.
3. Resource bottlenecks
Shortages of critical resources required for
multiple projects cause delays and schedule
extensions.
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Multiproject
Multiproject Resource
Resource Schedules
Schedules (contd)
(contd)
Managing Multiproject Scheduling:
Create project offices or departments to oversee
the scheduling of resources across projects.
Use a project priority queuing system: first come,
first served for resources.
Centralize project management: treat all projects
as a part of a megaproject.
Outsource projects to reduce the number
of projects handled internally.
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