Kong, F and Dou, D (2020) RCPSP with combined precedence relations and resource calendars. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 146(12): 04020133, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
This research introduces a new scheduling problem called the resource-constrained project scheduling problem with combined precedence relations and resource calendars (RCPSP/CPRs-cal). Combined precedence relations (CPRs) extend generalized precedence relations (GPRs) and can effectively represent all possible combinations of precedence relations between activities. Resource calendars reflect resource time constraints that are closer to real-life project scheduling. A new network diagram was designed for RCPSP/CPRs-cal; it uses nodes to unify activities and precedence relations. It solves a problem in which traditional networks are prone to form cycles when representing combined precedence relations. An extended genetic algorithm (GA-NND) is proposed for solving RCPSP/CPRs-cal efficiently; it uses the new network diagram for coding to generate the node scheduling scheme. A three-step guideline and an example are provided for schedulers in order to help them better use GA-NND to solve RCPSP/CPRs-cal. Computational experiments were carried out to show that the extended genetic algorithm can solve RCPSP/CPRs-cal more quickly and accurately than the traditional genetic algorithm. The new problem contributes to developing a practical decision support system for resolving real-life constraints in projects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | combined precedence relations; genetic algorithm; interruptible activities; new network diagram; resource calendars; resource-constrained project scheduling problem |
| Index terms: | project scheduling, decision support, scheduler, genetic algorithm, experiment, scheduling |
| Subjects: | operations research, data collection methods, decision analysis, project controls, algorithms, practitioner |
| Topics: | Time Control, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Digital Applications, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PE |
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