What is Resource Leveling?

What is Resource Leveling?

• A. A technique to resolve resource over-allocations by delaying tasks to balance resource usage
• B. A method to identify critical path
• C. A technique to crash the schedule
• D. A process to assign resources earlier than planned

Answer: (A)

Resource leveling is adjusting the project schedule to resolve resource over-allocations by delaying tasks within their available slack so that resource usage is more evenly distributed over time. When a resource is needed for more work than is available at some points, leveling shifts task start and finish dates to balance demand, which can extend the overall project duration and may shift which tasks are on the critical path. This approach focuses on fitting the work to the resource constraints rather than rushing tasks or identifying the longest path. It’s not about identifying the critical path, crashing the schedule to shorten duration, or moving resources earlier than planned; it’s about smoothing resource usage by postponing work within permissible limits.

Resource leveling is adjusting the project schedule to resolve resource over-allocations by delaying tasks within their available slack so that resource usage is more evenly distributed over time. When a resource is needed for more work than is available at some points, leveling shifts task start and finish dates to balance demand, which can extend the overall project duration and may shift which tasks are on the critical path. This approach focuses on fitting the work to the resource constraints rather than rushing tasks or identifying the longest path. It’s not about identifying the critical path, crashing the schedule to shorten duration, or moving resources earlier than planned; it’s about smoothing resource usage by postponing work within permissible limits.