Simulation of scheduling logic using dynamic functions

Francis, A; Bibai, J and Miresco, E (2013) Simulation of scheduling logic using dynamic functions. Proceedings of Institution of Civil Engineers: Management, Procurement and Law, 166(3), pp. 145-158. ISSN 17514312

Abstract

Since the late 1950s, researchers have studied the soft logic of scheduling, in particular the precedence constraint between activities used to compute the critical path. However, by proposing only external constraints and simulating work production through lags, the precedence logic lacks precision. These gaps diminish the reliability of the schedule and impair the internal monitoring of activity interdependencies. Chronographic logic addresses such limitations by introducing the internal division and proposing internal monitoring as a function of production. This paper proposes the concept of probabilistic production-based dynamic functions which would replace internal divisions with a mathematical function that permits the tracking of the dynamic interdependencies between two in-progress activities. A case study compares the overall schedule calculation using traditional precedence logic with the dynamic production-based function. This simulation was designed to investigate the overall impact on the critical path and the criticality of each activity. The result is a new method of implementing scheduling logic that takes into account the impact of the internal changes of workload and allows the use of internal margins. These self-adaptations provide a better simulation of construction-site conditions which help to produce more realistic results.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: mathematical modelling; planning and scheduling; risk & probability analysis
Index terms: mathematical function, workload, critical path, scheduling, probability analysis, mathematical modelling, monitoring, adaptation, case study
Subjects: user focus, analytical methods, operations research, management, statistical analysis, control systems, data collection methods, mathematical modelling
Topics: Research Practice, Time Control, Site Management, Human Resources, Design Practice
Descriptive scope: 4 PCEA

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