Network Scheduling Techniques for Construction Project Management

Network Scheduling Techniques for Construction Project Management
Author: M. Hajdu
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2013-03-09
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1475759517

Industrial, financial, commercial or any kinds of project have at least one common feature: the better organized they are, the higher the profit or the lower the cost. Project management is the principle of planning different projects and keeping them on track within time, cost and resource constraints. The need for effective project management is ever-increasing. The complexity of the environment we live in requires more sophisticated methods than it did just a couple of decades ago. Project managers might face insurmountable obstacles in their work if they do not adapt themselves to the changing circumstances. On the other hand, better knowledge of project management can result in better plans, schedules and, last but not least, more contracts and more profit. This knowledge can help individuals and firms to stay alive in this competitive market and, in the global sense, utilize the finite resources of our planet in a more efficient way.

Project Management with Dynamic Scheduling

Project Management with Dynamic Scheduling
Author: Mario Vanhoucke
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2013-11-29
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3642404383

The topic of this book is known as dynamic scheduling, and is used to refer to three dimensions of project management and scheduling: the construction of a baseline schedule and the analysis of a project schedule’s risk as preparation of the project control phase during project progress. This dynamic scheduling point of view implicitly assumes that the usability of a project’s baseline schedule is rather limited and only acts as a point of reference in the project life cycle. Consequently, a project schedule should especially be considered as nothing more than a predictive model that can be used for resource efficiency calculations, time and cost risk analyses, project tracking and performance measurement, and so on. In this book, the three dimensions of dynamic scheduling are highlighted in detail and are based on and inspired by a combination of academic research studies at Ghent University (www.ugent.be), in-company trainings at Vlerick Business School (www.vlerick.com) and consultancy projects at OR-AS (www.or-as.be). First, the construction of a project baseline schedule is a central theme throughout the various chapters of the book, and is discussed from a complexity point of view with and without the presence of project resources. Second, the creation of an awareness of the weak parts in a baseline schedule is discussed at the end of the two baseline scheduling parts as schedule risk analysis techniques that can be applied on top of the baseline schedule. Third, the baseline schedule and its risk analyses can be used as guidelines during the project control step where actual deviations can be corrected within the margins of the project’s time and cost reserves. The second edition of this book has seen corrections, additions and amendments in detail throughout the book. Moreover Chapter 15 on "Dynamic Scheduling with ProTrack" has been completely rewritten and extended with a section on "ProTrack as a research tool".

Critical Path Method (CPM) Tutor for Construction Planning and Scheduling

Critical Path Method (CPM) Tutor for Construction Planning and Scheduling
Author: William East
Publisher: McGraw Hill Professional
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2015-04-22
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 0071849246

This unique tool provides a fresh approach to construction scheduling by focusing on ways in which the Critical Path Method (CPM) can be used to answer the important questions that arise on virtually every construction project. Critical Path Method (CPM) Tutor for Construction Planning and Scheduling helps commercial contractors meet today’s ever-increasing demands to improve operational efficiency and increase profitability. The construction schedule is heavily dependent upon the skill of the practitioner and responsible participants, and one which greatly impacts the efficiency, cost, and overall success or failure of a project. This book explains the practical application of the CPM, the most widely used and taught technique for construction planning and scheduling. You’ll be guided through each step of the CPM process--from planning and communication to deciding payment and/or claims. Practitioners and students will quickly understand both the mechanics and the use of the CPM. Contractors will be able to apply this knowledge to plan their work more completely, better communicate their plans, accurately evaluate the impact of delays, and make better on-the-spot decisions. Features real-world construction examples and worked problems Describes how to measure on-site/field productivity and address potential issues Shows how to effectively communicate progress, targets, and requests with subcontractors and stakeholders

Construction Project Scheduling and Control

Construction Project Scheduling and Control
Author: Saleh A. Mubarak
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 497
Release: 2010-10-26
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0470919957

An easy-to-follow guide to the theory and practice of project scheduling and control No matter how large or small the construction project, an efficient, well-thought-out schedule is crucial to achieving success. The schedule manages all aspects of a job, such as adjusting staff requirements at various stages, overseeing materials deliveries and equipment needs, organizing inspections, and estimating time needs for curing and settling—all of which requires a deep understanding on the part of the scheduler. Written by a career construction professional, Construction Project Scheduling and Control, Second Edition has been fully revised with up-to-date coverage detailing all the steps needed to devise a technologically advanced schedule geared toward streamlining the construction process. Solved and unsolved exercises reinforce learning, while an overview of industry standard computer software sets the tone for further study. Some of the features in this Second Edition include: Focus on precedence networks as a viable solution to scheduling, the main part of project control The concepts of Dynamic Minimal Lag, a new CPM technique developed by the author A new chapter on schedule risk management By combining basic fundamentals with advanced techniques alongside the robust analysis of theory to enhance real-world applications, Construction Project Scheduling and Control is an ideal companion for students and professionals looking to formulate a schedule for a time-crunched industry in need of better ways to oversee projects.

Principles of Sequencing and Scheduling

Principles of Sequencing and Scheduling
Author: Kenneth R. Baker
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 407
Release: 2013-06-05
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1118626257

An up-to-date and comprehensive treatment of the fundamentals of scheduling theory, including recent advances and state-of-the-art topics Principles of Sequencing and Scheduling strikes a unique balance between theory and practice, providing an accessible introduction to the concepts, methods, and results of scheduling theory and its core topics. With real-world examples and up-to-date modeling techniques, the book equips readers with the basic knowledge needed for understanding scheduling theory and delving into its applications. The authors begin with an introduction and overview of sequencing and scheduling, including single-machine sequencing, optimization and heuristic solution methods, and models with earliness and tardiness penalties. The most current material on stochastic scheduling, including correct scheduling of safety time and the use of simulation for optimization, is then presented and integrated with deterministic models. Additional topical coverage includes: Extensions of the basic model Parallel-machine models Flow shop scheduling Scheduling groups of jobs The job shop problem Simulation models for the dynamic job shop Network methods for project scheduling Resource-constrained project scheduling Stochastic and safe scheduling Extensive end-of-chapter exercises are provided, some of which are spreadsheet-oriented, and link scheduling theory to the most popular analytic platform among today's students and practitioners—the Microsoft Office Excel® spreadsheet. Extensive references direct readers to additional literature, and the book's related Web site houses material that reinforces the book's concepts, including research notes, data sets, and examples from the text. Principles of Sequencing and Scheduling is an excellent book for courses on sequencing and scheduling at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners in the fields of statistics, computer science, operations research, and engineering.