Moselhi, O and Roofigari-Esfahan, N (2013) Project schedule compression: A multi-objective methodology. Construction Innovation, 13(4), pp. 374-393. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose - This paper aims to present a new method to circumvent the limitations of current schedule compression methods which reduce schedule crashing to the traditional time-cost trade-off analysis, where only cost is considered. Design/methodology/approach - The schedule compression process is modeled as a multi-attributed decision making problem in which different factors contribute to priority setting for activity crashing. For this purpose, a modified format of the Multiple Binary Decision Method (MBDM) along with iterative crashing processisutilized. The method is implemented in MATLAB, withadynamic link to MS-Project to facilitate the needed iterative rescheduling. To demonstrate the use of the developed method and to present its capabilities, a numerical example drawn from literature was analysed. Findings - When considering cost only, the generated results were in good agreement with those generated using the harmony search (HS) method, particularly in capturing the project least-cost duration. However, when other factors in addition to cost were considered, as expected, different project least-cost and associated durations were obtained. Research limitations/implications - The developed method is not applicable, in its present formulation, to what is known as "linear projects" such as construction of highways and pipeline infrastructure projects which exhibit high degree of repetitive construction. Originality/value - The novelty of the developed method lies in its capacity to allow for the consideration of a number of factors in addition to cost in performing schedule compression. Also through its allowance for possible variations in the relative importance of these factors at the individual activity level, it provides contractors with flexibility to consider a number of compression execution plans and identifies the most suitable plan. Accordingly, it enables the integration of contractors' judgment and experience in the crashing process and permits consideration of different project environments and constraints.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction scheduling; multi-attributed analysis; project management; schedule acceleration; schedule compression; time-cost trade-off |
| Index terms: | schedule compression, integration, variation, decision-making, methodology, repetitive construction, crashing, compression, relative importance, project management, time-cost trade-off, duration, infrastructure project, schedule acceleration, execution plan, judgment, construction scheduling, pipeline |
| Subjects: | decision analysis, building construction, project controls, organizational analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, research methods, quantity surveying, project management theory and practice, contractual condition, material properties and characteristics, operations research, risk assessment, dispute resolution |
| Topics: | Construction Materials, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Research Practice, Risk Management, Construction Technology, Legal Issues, Organizational Design, Contract Administration, Time Control |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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