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CHAPTER 4.3

RESOURCE LEVELING AND
GAMES OF CHANCE

In Chapter 3.1, we alert you to possible deficiencies in traditional resource
scheduling software. That function is most commonly called resource leveling.
In this chapter we dig deeper into this situation, disclosing results from tests con-
ducted on several products and looking at remedies for such deficiencies. The ac-
tual testing was conducted several years ago, so we won’t reveal the actual
products (these versions are no longer available). However, the test results still
serve to illustrate the problem and provide a basis for discussion on techniques
that work. The benefit to you, from this discussion, will be increased knowledge
of what is involved in resource leveling, increased awareness of the critical issues
in software selection and use, and practical approaches toward achieving reason-
able resource-loaded schedules.

Is It Blackjack?
We start this chapter off with a trick question. Let’s say that you play a game 30
times. Thirteen times, you come up with 17. Nine times you come up with 16. Six
times you come up with 18. Once you get a 20, and once you get a 15. What game
are you playing?

Sounds a bit like blackjack, doesn’t it? But it’s not! How about roulette? Wrong
again! I know—it’s the resource leveling game. Right on! It’s the actual results that
I obtained from a resource leveling test.

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