Define 'resource leveling' in project management.

Resource leveling in project management is a technique used to smooth out resource allocation by redistributing tasks to ensure that resources are used more effectively and efficiently throughout the project duration. The primary goal is to address over-allocations, where team members or equipment may have too many tasks scheduled in a given time period, potentially leading to burnout or resource conflict.

By redistributing tasks, project managers can balance workloads across the available resources, ensuring that no one resource is overburdened or underutilized. This approach helps in maintaining a steady workflow and can lead to improved productivity as resources are allocated at a more sustainable pace. Additionally, resource leveling can help in the optimization of project schedules, allowing for adjustments in tasks that do not critically affect project timelines.

The other choices do not capture the essence of resource leveling. While minimizing project costs through outsourcing could be a beneficial strategy, it does not specifically relate to the redistribution of tasks and managing resource loads. Enhancing team collaboration is important, but it addresses interpersonal dynamics rather than the allocation of resources. Likewise, determining project scope changes pertains to defining what is included in the project rather than the optimization of resource usage. Thus, the definition that aligns with resource leveling is the one focusing on smoothing out resource allocation by redis