Choo, H J; Tommelein, I D; Ballard, G and Zabelle, T R (1999) Workplan: Constraint-based database for work package scheduling. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 125(3), pp. 151-160. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
A database program called WorkPlan has been created to systematically develop weekly work plans. Such work plans are used by crew foremen in scheduling work packages and allocating available labor and equipment resources. WorkPlan adopts the Last Planner methodology, which implements several lean construction techniques. A week prior to conducting work, WorkPlan guides the user step by step through the process of spelling out work packages, identifying constraints, checking constraint satisfaction, releasing work packages, and allocating resources; then at the end of the week, collecting field progress data and reasons for plan failure. This systematic approach helps the user create quality work plans and learn from understanding reasons for failure. The lean planning philosophy underlying WorkPlan and the functionality of the computer program implementation are detailed in this paper. Various ways of displaying work package data are illustrated. WorkPlan's job-shop scheduling view complements the view traditionally adopted by project management, as is reflected in scheduling tools using the critical-path method.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | philosophy, functionality, scheduling, lean construction, program, methodology, database, satisfaction, package, project management, implementation, planner, computer program |
| Subjects: | research methods, software systems, project management theory and practice, building construction, data management, philosophical studies, profession, design features, operations research, project delivery, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Procurement, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Project Management, Time Control, Site Management, Design Practice, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here