---
title: "Resource schedule; leveling vs smoothing"
subject: "Project Engineering"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_7/project_engineering:resource-schedule-leveling-smoothing"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/resource-schedule-leveling-smoothing
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Resource schedule; leveling vs smoothing

Project Engineering · Chapter 3: Project Planning and Scheduling

- Asked in: 2074 Asoj, 4 marks; 2080 Baisakh, 1+3 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [PMBOK® Guide: Resource Optimization - Resource Levelling & Resource Smoothing for PMP Success](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64Z__faxcr0) — iZenBridge Consultancy Pvt Ltd.
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/resource-schedule-leveling-smoothing
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-3

## Question

Define resource schedule. Differentiate between resource levelling and resource smoothing.

## Short answer

A resource schedule shows resource requirements per time period. Resource levelling adjusts activities to keep demand within a fixed resource limit, possibly extending duration. Resource smoothing adjusts non-critical activities within float to make demand uniform without altering project duration.

## Answer

A **resource schedule** shows how many units of each resource (manpower, equipment, materials, money) are needed in each time period of the project, based on the activity schedule. It is shown by a resource histogram or table.

| Basis | Resource levelling | Resource smoothing |
|---|---|---|
| Constraint | Resource limit is fixed (resource-constrained) | Project duration is fixed (time-constrained) |
| Aim | Keep demand within the available limit | Make demand as uniform as possible |
| Project duration | May increase | Does not change |
| Float used | Total float, and critical activities may also be delayed | Only available float of non-critical activities |
| Critical activities | May be delayed | Not changed |
| Used when | Resources are scarce | Deadline is rigid and demand is uneven |

## Check yourself

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

1. A resource schedule shows:
   A. Units of each resource needed in each time period
   B. Only cost
   C. Only critical path
   D. Contract terms
   Answer: A. It is shown by a histogram or table. (Key point: Resource schedule)

2. Resource smoothing is:
   A. Resource-constrained
   B. Time-constrained with duration fixed
   C. Cost-constrained
   D. Unconstrained
   Answer: B. Smoothing keeps the deadline. (Key point: Constraint)

3. In leveling, critical activities:
   A. Are never changed
   B. May be delayed
   C. Are removed
   D. Are shortened
   Answer: B. Leveling can delay critical activities; smoothing cannot. (Key point: Critical activities)

## Related in Project Engineering

- [Resource leveling and smoothing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aresource-leveling-smoothing-wbs-4level) — Project Engineering, chapter 3
- [Short note: Resource allocation and smoothing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aresource-allocation-smoothing-note) — Project Engineering, chapter 3, asked 4×
- [Short note: Resource leveling](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aresource-leveling-note) — Project Engineering, chapter 3, asked 3×
- [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 histogram, leveling, limited allocation, WBS](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aresource-terms-histogram-wbs) — Project Engineering, chapter 3

## Related in other subjects

- [Resource utilization vs conservation: hydropower](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aresource-use-vs-conservation) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 4