Woo, S (1999) Monte Carlo simulation of labor performance during overtime and its impact on project duration. PhD thesis, University of Texas at Austin, USA.
Abstract
Labor productivity, which is the greatest source of variation in overall construction productivity, is the critical factor for determining the project performance in terms of time and cost, especially during scheduled overtime when extra time and cost are invested. Since scheduled overtime causes continuous deterioration of labor performance over its duration, it needs to be planned and scheduled in advance in order to benefit from the extra investment of time and cost. However, traditional construction scheduling methods like Critical Path Method (CPM) can not handle the variability of labor productivity. This research suggests Monte Carlo simulation modeling of labor performance during scheduled overtime as a solution. After the variability and pattern of labor performance deterioration during scheduled overtime were modeled for simulation, the simulation model was integrated with a commercial CPM scheduling software package to assess and analyze the impact on total project duration. Furthermore, correlation between the durations of construction activities is incorporated into the simulation model in order to represent the system more accurately and realistically. Since the simulation model quantifies the variability of productivity during scheduled overtime, the estimation of time to complete the activities using scheduled overtime is more realistic and reliable. Also, because the simulation model is integrated into a project schedule network, the assessment of the potential impact of the scheduled overtime on total project duration is clearer and more accurate. The simulation model provides more reliable and realistic information to a project manager's decision making in an effort to complete the project on time and within the budget using scheduled overtime. It is concluded that simulation analysis of scheduled overtime presented in this dissertation can provide the knowledge to make the right decision as well as the tools to communicate risk and uncertainty involved in scheduled overtime to the owners and other project team members.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Popescu, C M |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction activities; project team; uncertainty; critical path method; decision making; deterioration; investment; scheduling; productivity; project performance; Monte Carlo simulation; simulation; duration; owner; project manager |
| Index terms: | labour productivity, project performance, construction productivity, duration, modelling, dissertation, variability, project team, project manager, traditional construction, productivity, construction activity, owner, Monte Carlo simulation, estimation, critical factor, decision-making, variation, critical path method, deterioration, scheduling, simulation analysis, software package |
| Subjects: | sociology, decision analysis, project controls, statistical analysis, heritage and conservation, software systems, management, project management theory and practice, contractual condition, modelling and simulation, design analysis, operations research, operations management, material degradation and durability, project delivery, financial and cost management, analytical methods, construction operations, risk assessment, profession, research dissemination and communication |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Construction Materials, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Time Control, Contract Administration, Site Management, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
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