---
title: "Short note: Resource allocation and smoothing"
subject: "Project Engineering"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_7/project_engineering:resource-allocation-smoothing-note"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/resource-allocation-smoothing-note
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Resource allocation and smoothing

Project Engineering · Chapter 3: Project Planning and Scheduling

- Asked in: 2066 Bhadra (old course), 4 marks; 2067 Asar (old course), 4 marks; 2065 Shrawan (old course), 4 marks; 2068 Baisakh (old course), 4 marks (asked 4 times)
- Video: [Resource Leveling versus Resource Smoothing - Key Project Management Concepts from the PMBOK](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnYhXHcn2zs) — David McLachlan
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/resource-allocation-smoothing-note
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-3

## Question

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

## 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.

## Answer

**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.

```text
Before        After
 |   ##          |  ## ##
 | ####          | ## ## ## 
 | ######        | ## ## ##
 +--------       +--------
 peak/valley     levelled
```

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

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Resource smoothing changes the project duration:
   A. By increasing it
   B. By decreasing it
   C. Not at all
   D. By doubling it
   Answer: C. Smoothing rearranges within float without changing duration. (Key point: Smoothing duration)

2. Which activities are shifted in smoothing?
   A. Critical activities
   B. Non-critical activities within total float
   C. All activities
   D. None
   Answer: B. Critical activities are not moved. (Key point: Which activities move)

3. Why is uneven resource demand costly?
   A. Hiring and firing and idle machines
   B. Faster work
   C. Lower wages
   D. More float
   Answer: A. Peaks and valleys cause hiring/firing and idle machines. (Key point: Why)

## Related in Project Engineering

- [Gantt chart; resource allocation and smoothing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Agantt-chart-resource-allocation-smoothing) — Project Engineering, chapter 3
- [Limited resource allocation and smoothing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Alimited-resource-allocation-smoothing-application) — Project Engineering, chapter 3
- [Resource schedule; leveling vs smoothing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aresource-schedule-leveling-smoothing) — Project Engineering, chapter 3, asked 2×
- [Resource histogram, leveling, limited allocation, WBS](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aresource-terms-histogram-wbs) — Project Engineering, chapter 3
- [Resource leveling and smoothing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aresource-leveling-smoothing-wbs-4level) — Project Engineering, chapter 3

## Related in other subjects

- [Deadlock detection with allocation matrices](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Foperating_system%3Adeadlock-detection-matrices) — Operating System, chapter 7