Resource Leveling

Term Definition
Resource leveling is scheduling decisions, which are driven by resource management concerns, such as limited resource availability. Resource leveling is the part of the scheduling process in which the start and end dates of tasks are driven by resource limitations, i.e. limited availability of resources or hard to manage resource levels. One of the objectives of project scheduling is to ensure that resources are not over-allocated or over-burdened, and that there are not significant ups and downs in the resource schedule.

A resource is over-allocated when scheduled to perform more work than is possible within the resource's schedule.  For example, if a resource (human) is assigned to work 8 hours on a project on Monday and then is scheduled to work full time on four tasks on Monday, the resource would need to put in thirty-two hours of work in order to stay on plan. Obviously it is impossible to work 32 hours in one day so the resource is over allocated. Realistic project plans must have accurate resource leveling capabilities.

Resource leveling is a way to fix resource over-allocation. Typically there are two ways to level resources: delay tasks or split tasks. The delay of tasks can be assignment delay or leveling delay. Splitting a task is the process of interrupting the task schedule. In this way, part of the task is done when planned and the rest of it is done later when the assigned resource has time. The methods you choose to reduce over-allocations depend on the limitations of your project, including budget, resource availability, finish date, and the amount of flexibility available for scheduling tasks.

In order to avoid extending the duration of the project, and thus on time completion, it is important to avoid extending or delaying tasks that are on the critical path. Therefore, it is important to know the float of tasks before resources are adjusted.

If networks are used as the primary planning method there are two approaches to resource leveling or smoothing. Time-limited resource considerations – emphasis is placed on completing the project within a specified time, which is typically determined by network analysis. Adjustments in the timing of an activity and the resources allocated at a given time are made within the available float. Activities on the critical path are not adjusted. Resource-limited resource considerations – in this approach, projects must be completed with the available resources, even if that means extending the duration of the project. If the total resource demand exceeds the resource availability, at any time, then some of the activities must be delayed until there is sufficient resource availability.

In both approaches, information concerning the earliest and the latest start times and float will be used to level resources.

Area of Application
Project Management

Related Terms
Availability
Resource Calendar
Resource Planning

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