Lu, M and Lam, H C (2008) Critical path scheduling under resource calendar constraints. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 134(1), pp. 25-31. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Resource calendars specify nonworking days of driving resources involved in construction projects. As part of the resource availability constraints in critical path method (CPM) scheduling, resource calendars may postpone activity start time, extend activity duration, and hence prolong the total project duration. Ultimately, resource calendars bring about changes to the critical path identification. Research has yet to address how to incorporate the effects of multiple resource calendars on the total float determination. In this research, the popular P3 software is used as a tool for investigating the current practice of CPM scheduling under resource limit and calendar constraints. We assess P3's advanced resource scheduling functions (including resource leveling and resource calendars) and identify P3's potential errors in total float determination. Further, we propose a new method based on the forward pass analysis alone for accurately evaluating activity total float subject to resource calendar constraints. The application of the new method is illustrated with an activity-on-node case and a precedence-diagram-method case, with the results compared against those produced from P3. Our research has elucidated on some critical issues of resource-constrained scheduling in the application domain of construction project management. The findings will provide useful input for the vendors and users of the CPM software-which is not limited to P3-to improve the scheduling methodology as well as the accuracy of the resulting project schedules.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | build/operate/transfer scheduling; critical path method; project management |
| Index terms: | methodology, construction project, critical path method, scheduling, critical path, accuracy, construction project management, duration, project management, critical issue, resource levelling, resource scheduling |
| Subjects: | project controls, research methods, production management, professional development, project management theory and practice, operations research, resource management, risk assessment |
| Topics: | Information Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Risk Management, Time Control, Site Management |
| 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