Almasoud, A S (1996) A simulation model for repetitive project scheduling. PhD thesis, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA.
Abstract
Multiple project scheduling is a complex and difficult task. Often, the construction process must start with more than one unit in order to complete the project within the allowable time. Finding the optimal number of starting units is a very important decision, because it impacts project characteristics such as project direct and indirect cost, learning curve effects, resources utilization, project completion time, and cash-flow. This research intended to develop a simulation-based model to provide the project planner with the correct number of units that should be constructed simultaneously in order to optimize project cost and completion time. This research also showed the impact of resource constraints on project completion time when starting the construction process with different number of units. The model also has the capability of determining the maximum resources required to construct the optimal number of units in order to complete the whole project within the allowable time. This model provides answers to many "What if" questions that arise in the context of repetitive projects scheduling. Since it is assumed that all the units will be constructed simultaneously and sold as soon as they are completed, cash-flow analysis becomes a very important issue. This research showed the relationship between the number of unit constructed simultaneously and net present value (NPV). In addition, the impact of probabilistic duration on project completion time considering various starting number of units was investigated. The research also showed the impact of changing the amount of overlapping at the beginning of the construction process by repeating the optimal number of starting units on project completion time. The major findings are: (i) Learning curve has a significant impact on project completion time and cost. An increase in learning curve percent rate increases the project cost and project completion time. (ii) As the learning rate percentage decreases, the number of starting units increase. (iii) Changes in discount rate do not affect the number of starting units significantly. (iv) The percentage of optimal number of units to total number of units decreases as the total number of units increases.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Diekmann, J E |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | duration; indirect cost; learning; net present value; project cost; scheduling; simulation |
| Index terms: | repetitive project, scheduling, indirect cost, planner, completion time, construction process, project scheduling, duration, resource constraint, net present value, project cost |
| Subjects: | economics, economic analysis, operations research, operations management, production management, profession, cost management, building construction, project controls |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Site Management, Cost Management, Time Control, Procurement, Project Management, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
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