scholarly journals Generalized Resource-Constrained Critical Path Method to Improve Sustainability in Construction Project Scheduling

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 8918
Author(s):  
Kyunghwan Kim

Delays by limited supply of resources are common in many construction projects and may cause serious monetary disputes between project participants. Since the dispute resolution may require unnecessary additional time and cost, preventing delays in advance is an important goal in sustainable construction project management. To prevent delays, a feasible plan must be implemented, which reflects limited resources and provides reliable activity information. For this purpose, this study proposes a generalized resource-constrained critical path method (eRCPM). It consists of three steps to identify resource-dependent activity relationships (resource links) based on the result of resource-constrained scheduling (RCS) under multiple resource constraints. Compared to the existing resource-constrained critical path methods, the eRCPM has the advantage of identifying resource links irrespective of the applied RCS technique because it is based on the result rather than the RCS process. Further, this study presents a Microsoft (MS) Excel-based half-automated prototype system that is linked using file export and import functions to both P6 and MS Project software packages. The detailed process of the eRCPM algorithm and the operation process of the prototype system are described using an example schedule. Through a case study, it was demonstrated that eRCPM appropriately identifies the necessary resource links and provides reliable total floats.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-24
Author(s):  
Mia Syafrina ◽  
Fandy Bestario Harlan

Construction projects are generally the most high-risk businesses, especially shipbuilding projects. Efforts to reduce the risk can be done by minimizing the potential risk. This study aims to see potential high risk and prevent delays in the completion of ship construction using the Critical Path Method CPM at PT. XYZ. By using the Critical Path Method CPM critical paths can be given more attention so that they will not interfere ship construction projects. In addition, it is also a form of anticipation if there is a delay, it is possible to reschedule.


1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Wing Ming Tam ◽  
Ekambaram Palaneeswaran

Scheduling of construction projects is normally performed with the critical path method (CPM). The popular CPM/PERT network techniques are based on the assumption that sufficient resources will be available when needed to complete all project activities on schedule. This unrealistic assumption can lead to ineffective resource usage and project delays. For scheduling of the project activities with resource constraints, other algorithms have to be used. This technical note first outlines the suitability of ranked positional weight method (RPWM), a heuristic resource scheduling method, to construction project scheduling. It then focuses on a new heuristic technique, the enhanced positional weight method (EPWM), which is an improved version of the RPWM. Some interesting comparisons between the results given by Primavera, Microsoft Project, RPWM, and EPWM are also presented.Key words: ranked positional weight method, enhanced positional weight method, and critical path method.


1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Wing Ming Tam ◽  
Pujitha Bandara Gamagedera Dissanayake

Construction projects are commonly scheduled by the critical path method or its similar methods, with the assumption that resources are unlimited. The ranked positional weight method, which may be used for project scheduling and resource allocation for both constrained and unconstrained resource scheduling, is found to be relatively easy in application. In construction, the availability of resources is sometimes limited and this leads to an extension of project duration. The critical path method and similar approaches cannot provide an answer in this scenario. A bridge construction project is used to illustrate how the method can be applied.Key words: scheduling, resource allocation, ranked positional weight method.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5531
Author(s):  
Linlin Xie ◽  
Yajiao Chen ◽  
Ruidong Chang

Prefabricated buildings are the direction of the future development of the construction industry and have received widespread attention. The effective execution of prefabricated construction project scheduling should consider resource constraints and the supply arrangement of prefabricated components. However, the traditional construction resource-constrained project scheduling implementation method cannot simultaneously consider the characteristics of the linkage between component production and on-site assembly construction. It cannot also fully adapt to the scheduling implementation method of the prefabricated construction projects. It is difficult to work out a reasonable project schedule and resource allocation table. In order to determine the relevant schedule parameters that can reflect the actual construction situation of the prefabricated building and meet the scheduling requirements of the prefabricated project, this study proposes a prefabricated construction project scheduling model that considers project resource constraints and prefabricated component supply constraints. Additionally, it improves the design of traditional genetic algorithms (GAs). Research results of the experimental calculation and engineering application show that the proposed project scheduling optimization model and GA are effective and practical, which can help project managers in effectively formulating prefabricated construction project scheduling plans, reasonably allocating resources, reducing completion time, and improving project performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 11035
Author(s):  
Hossam H. Mohamed ◽  
Ahmed H. Ibrahim ◽  
Asmaa A. Soliman

One of the most vital construction project aspects is to complete a project in minimum time restricted to the time–cost trade-off. Overlapping activities’ planning and their impact on the project under limited resource constraints should be considered. This study aims to develop a model for optimizing the project schedule and cost regarding overlap activities and their impacts. This study reviews previous studies on changes in past activities likely to produce additional reworking of subsequent activities. In addition, an AHP model is developed to assess the reworking time of subsequent activities based on possible changes in previous activities. In addition, five realistic construction projects are applied. Finally, an optimizing model is developed for optimizing project time and cost using overlapping techniques by using the Java program. The results indicate that the proposed model can be used by project managers easily for solving time and cost optimization problems. In addition, it can be updated to continuously improve its functionality. Finally, it can be updated later to support AI for finding better solutions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaokang Han ◽  
Wenzhou Yan ◽  
Ting Liu

Abstract It has been widely accepted in the academic community that the Critical Chain Method (CCM) has significant advantages over the Critical Path Method (CPM) in solving the problem with resource constraints. However, this paper conducted a study on comparing the two methods of Critical Chain Method and Critical Path Method, and found that the only difference between those two methods lies in how to determine the priority of resources allocating, and on the assumption of not setting buffer zone, those two methods have no essential distinctions at all. By establishing the relationship between CCM and CPM, this paper also enriched and improved CCM to some extent, and pointed out that the buffer zone setting in CCM is merely subjective and short of scientificity. In the meantime, for the problem of unclear representation of critical chains, it proposed two ways of representing critical chains and related rules to follow. To verify the conclusion of this paper, further detailed case study of comparing CCM and CPM was performed. Affected by various uncertain factors, the project construction sequence is random, the total construction duration is random, and the critical chain is also random, so it is unable to determine how to direct construction. Aiming at the randomness of the critical chain, this article analyzed various uncertain factors of the critical chain, and on the basis of solving the critical chain sequence time, it proposed the approach to determine the completion probability of the total construction duration and control the construction of the critical chain to direct the construction, in the meantime, the inverse algorithm was adopted to determine of the construction duration under the condition of required completion probability.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Madeh Piryonesi ◽  
Mehran Nasseri ◽  
Abdollah Ramezani

Overtime and over-budget construction projects are not pleasant to any stakeholder. Stakeholders want construction projects to be completed without delay and excessive cost. It is possible to meet these objectives by using resource management techniques such as resource leveling. Due to the limitation of resources and different types of them in a construction project, optimizing the resource utilization is crucial. In this paper, a meta-heuristic simulated annealing resource leveling model is presented. The novelty of this model lies not only in the type of modeling and optimization but also in its assumptions. Our model simultaneously allows activities to split and considers a limitation in resource availabilities. The developed model was implemented in a computer program. Then, it was applied to an example from the literature of resource leveling. The model successfully solved the problem. The results of our model are compared with those already available in the literature.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 1475-1500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Tit Wan Yu ◽  
Arshad Ali Javed ◽  
Tsun Ip Lam ◽  
Geoffrey Qiping Shen ◽  
Ming Sun

Purpose Integrating sustainability into the value management (VM) process can provide a strategic platform for promoting and incorporating sustainable design and development during the lifespans of construction projects. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) for integrating sustainability into the VM process in Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach Following an extensive literature review, 45 attributes were identified and grouped into strength, weakness, opportunity and threat elements. A questionnaire survey based on these groupings was supported by semi-structured interviews with public sector clients, value managers and VM facilitators. They shared their experience and views on how to integrate sustainability into the VM exercises. Findings The triangulated results of the survey and interviews are presented in this paper. The ranking of the SWOT analysis results indicate that VM does provide opportunities for multidisciplinary professionals and stakeholders to focus on issues relating to society and the environment, which is considered a main strength. The major weakness of integration is the lack of well-trained staff and low levels of VM participant expertise in relation to the sustainable construction issue. Research limitations/implications Current practices generally neglect integration of sustainability into the VM process due to cost and time constraints. There are ample strengths and opportunities recommended by this study for integrating sustainability into the VM process which are beneficial for the clients and contractors for achieving value for money and meeting sustainability targets. Practical implications There are immense opportunities for integrating sustainability into the VM process, including encouragement of the reduction, reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste. However, threats presented by integration include the additional time and costs required for achieving sustainability targets. Originality/value Findings and recommendations provided in this paper should be helpful to decision makers including clients and VM facilitators for the successful integration of the sustainability concept into the VM process.


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