Hegazy, T and Ersahin, T (2001) Simplified spreadsheet solutions. II: Overall schedule optimization. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 127(6), pp. 469-475. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Overall schedule optimization, considering time, cost, and resource constraints is a difficult task due to the inherent complexity of projects, the difficulties associated with modeling all aspects combined, and the inability of traditional optimization tools to solve this large-size problem. In this paper, a practical approach is presented for the modeling and optimization of overall construction schedules. To simplify modeling, a spreadsheet-based model is developed to be easily usable by practitioners. The spreadsheet model integrates critical-path network scheduling with time-cost trade-off analysis, resources allocation, resource leveling, and cash flow management. The model uses the total project cost as the objective function to be minimized. To facilitate this large-size optimization, a nontraditional optimization technique, genetic algorithms, is used to locate the globally optimal solution, considering all aspects simultaneously. Details of the proposed model are described, and a hypothetical case study was used to experiment with it. Integration of the model with a simple information system is described to automate the development of optimal construction schedules.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | resource constraint, practitioner, integration, complexity, information system, genetic algorithm, experiment, project cost, time-cost trade-off, network scheduling, modelling, cash flow management, case study, spreadsheet, optimization technique, resource levelling |
| Subjects: | data science, analytical methods, resource management, operations management, operations research, practitioner, data collection methods, information systems, systems engineering, organizational analysis, financial management, quantity surveying, algorithms, economics |
| Topics: | Site Management, Organizational Design, Time Control, Digital Applications, Roles and Professions, Risk Management, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Research Practice, Cost Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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