Kannimuthu, M; Raphael, B; Palaneeswaran, E and Kuppuswamy, A (2019) Optimizing time, cost and quality in multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 9(1), pp. 44-63. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework to optimize time, cost and quality in a multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling environment. Design/methodology/approach: A case study approach identified the activity execution modes in building construction projects in India to support multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling. The data required to compute time, cost and quality of each activity are compiled from real construction projects. A binary integer-programming model has been developed to perform multi-objective optimization and identify Pareto optimal solutions. The RR-PARETO3 algorithm was used to identify the best compromise trade-off solutions. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is demonstrated through sample case study projects. Findings: Results show that good compromise solutions are obtained through multi-objective optimization of time, cost and quality. Research limitations/implications: Case study data sets were collected only from eight building construction projects in India. Practical implications: It is feasible to adopt multi-objective optimization in practical construction projects using time, cost and quality as the objectives; Pareto surfaces help to quantify relationships among time, cost and quality. It is shown that cost can be reduced by increasing the duration, and quality can be improved only by increasing the cost. Originality/value: The use of different activity execution modes compiled from multiple projects in optimization is illustrated, and good compromise solutions for the multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling problems using multi-objective optimization are identified.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction quality assessment system; global optimization; multi-criterion decision-making; multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling; multi-objective optimization; time–cost–quality |
| Index terms: | construction project, multi-objective optimization, methodology, decision-making, programming, effectiveness, India, duration, construction quality, project scheduling, case study, building construction |
| Subjects: | performance management, algorithms, research methods, Geography, production management, project controls, decision analysis, building construction, quality assurance, data collection methods, programming |
| Topics: | Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Risk Management, Construction Technology, Digital Applications, Quality Management, Time Control |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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