Algorithm for scheduling with multiskilled constrained resources

Scheduling with constrained resources, particularly skilled labor, is a major challenge for almost all construction projects. In the literature, various techniques have been developed to reduce consequent project delay of constrained resources. Most of these techniques assume single-skilled resources and use heuristic rules to decide which activity will receive the resource first and which ones to delay. To improve existing solutions, this paper introduces some modifications to heuristic resource-scheduling solutions, considering multiskilled resources. The proposed approach stores and utilizes information about the resource(s) that can be substituted when there is a shortage in another one. Using this information, less utilized resources can be combined to substitute the shortages in constrained resources during the shortage period, taking into consideration the loss in work productivity. To automate the proposed algorithm, a macroprogram has been written on a commercial scheduling software. An example application is presented to show the improved results of the proposed approach over existing heuristics. The use of the proposed approach as a better resource management tool within the construction industry is then discussed.