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Short note: Resource allocation and smoothing

Short answer

Resource allocation assigns manpower, machines, etc. to scheduled activities. Resource smoothing (manpower levelling) shifts non-critical activities within their float to flatten the resource demand histogram without extending the project duration, reducing peaks and valleys.

Write a short note on resource allocation and smoothing (manpower levelling).

Resource allocation is the assigning of available resources (manpower, machines, materials, money) to the activities of a schedule so that the work can be done.

When activities are scheduled at their earliest times, the demand for a resource usually has high peaks and deep valleys, which is costly (hiring and firing, idle machines).

Resource smoothing (manpower levelling) rearranges the non-critical activities within their float so that the resource demand becomes as uniform as possible, without changing the project duration.

Process

  1. Draw the network and bar chart at earliest start.
  2. Prepare the resource histogram (resource vs time).
  3. Find the peaks and valleys.
  4. Shift non-critical activities within total float from peak periods to low periods.
  5. Redraw the histogram; repeat until the profile is as flat as possible.
  6. Critical activities are not moved.
Before        After
 |   ##          |  ## ##
 | ####          | ## ## ## 
 | ######        | ## ## ##
 +--------       +--------
 peak/valley     levelled

Benefits: lower peak demand, less idle time, better cost control, and easier procurement.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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