scholarly journals Resource Unconstrained and Constrained Project Scheduling Problems and Practices in a Multiproject Environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marimuthu Kannimuthu ◽  
Palaneeswaran Ekambaram ◽  
Benny Raphael ◽  
Ananthanarayanan Kuppuswamy
Keyword(s):  
Project Scheduling ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Scheduling Problems ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Decentralized Decision Making ◽  
Common Resource ◽  
Collaboration Quality ◽  
Multiproject Scheduling

Construction companies execute many projects simultaneously. In such situations, the performance of one project may influence the others positively or negatively. Construction professionals face difficulties in managing multiple projects in limited resource situations. The purpose of this study is to identify the problems in multiproject scheduling from the practitioner’s perspective and to discover current practices under resource unconstrained and constrained settings. The specific objectives are (1) determining the most challenging issues being faced in handling multiproject environment, (2) enumerating the practices adopted in the industry, and finally (3) identifying the practitioners' perceptions on the multiproject scheduling aspects such as network modeling approaches; activity execution modes; concept of sharing, dedicating, and substituting resources; centralized and decentralized decision-making models; solution approaches; and tools and techniques. An online questionnaire survey was conducted to address the objectives above. The top challenging issues in managing multiproject environment are identified. Factor analysis identified the factors by grouping the variables (a) decision-related, (b) project environment-related, (c) project management-related, and (d) organization-related factors. Resource-unconstrained situation mainly faces the issue of underutilization and wastage of resources leading to lower profit realization. The following findings were identified to overcome the unconstrained resource situation such as identifying the work front, adopting pull planning approach, creating a common resource pool, and allotting it on a rental basis. On the contrary, resource-constrained situation faces the issues of prioritization of resources, coordination, communication, collaboration, quality issues, and rework. The findings suggest the strategies such as top-up via subcontracting, proactive pull planning, introducing buffers, training the culture of the organization towards better communication, coordination, and collaboration, to improve the reliability of achieving baseline project performances. Various multiproject aspects suggested for effective management. The identified problems, practices, and various multiproject aspects are expected to contribute better management of multiproject resource unconstrained and constrained project scheduling.

scholarly journals A new model and metaheuristic approach for the energy-based resource-constrained scheduling problem

2017 ◽  
Vol 233 (1) ◽  
pp. 293-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Morillo Torres ◽  
Federico Barber ◽  
Miguel A Salido
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Project Scheduling ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Problem Instance ◽  
Scheduling Problem ◽  
Scheduling Problems ◽  
Resource Constrained ◽  
Resource Constrained Project Scheduling ◽  
Project Scheduling Problem

This article focuses on obtaining sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for limited resource programming problems. To this end, a model for integrating [Formula: see text] and energy consumption objectives in multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling problems (MRCPSP-ENERGY) is proposed. In addition, a metaheuristic approach for the efficient resolution of these problems is developed. In order to assess the appropriateness of theses proposals, the well-known Project Scheduling Problem Library is extended (called PSPLIB-ENERGY) to include energy consumption to each Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem instance through a realistic mathematical model. This extension provides an alternative to the current trend of numerous research works about optimization and the manufacturing field, which require the inclusion of components to reduce the environmental impact on the decision-making process. PSPLIB-ENERGY is available at http://gps.webs.upv.es/psplib-energy/ .

scholarly journals Integrating Schedule Risk Analysis with Multi-Skilled Resource Scheduling to Improve Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problems

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 650
Author(s):  
Muritala Adebayo Isah ◽  
Byung-Soo Kim
Keyword(s):  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Project Scheduling ◽  
Resource Scheduling ◽  
Scheduling Problems ◽  
Project Schedule ◽  
Risk And Uncertainty ◽  
Resource Constrained ◽  
Resource Constrained Project Scheduling ◽  
Schedule Risk ◽  
Schedule Risk Analysis

Construction projects are planned in a complex and dynamic environment characterized by high risks and uncertainties amidst resource constraints. Assessing construction schedule risk facilitates informed decision-making, especially in a resource-constrained situation, and allows proactive actions to be taken so that project objectives are not jeopardized. This study presents a stochastic multiskilled resource scheduling (SMSRS) model for resource-constrained project scheduling problems (RCSPSP) considering the impact of risk and uncertainty on activity durations. The SMSRS model was developed by integrating a schedule risk analysis (SRA) model (developed in MS Excel) with an existing multiskilled resource scheduling (MSRS) algorithm for the development of a feasible and realistic schedule. The computational experiment carried out on three case projects using the proposed SMSRS model revealed an average percentage deviation of 10.50%, indicating the inherent risk and uncertainty in activity durations of the project schedule. The core contribution of the proposed SMSRS model is that it: (1) presents project practitioners with a simple tool for assessing the risks and uncertainty associated with resource-constrained project schedules so that necessary response actions can be taken to ensure project success; (2) provides the small-scale construction businesses with an affordable tool for evaluating schedule risk and developing a feasible and realistic project schedule.

Progress payments in project scheduling problems

2003 ◽  
Vol 148 (3) ◽  
pp. 604-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Vanhoucke ◽  
Erik Demeulemeester ◽  
Willy Herroelen
Keyword(s):  
Project Scheduling ◽  
Scheduling Problems

People-centred management for improving construction workers' productivity in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 350-368
Author(s):  
Tirivavi Moyo ◽  
Gerrit Crafford ◽  
Fidelis Emuze
Keyword(s):  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
The People ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Concern ◽  
The Impact

PurposeWhile operational factors reduce construction workers' productivity in Zimbabwe, the impact of the people-centred management aspects has not been empirically interrogated as a remedy. This article reports on a study that sought to determine significant people-centred management aspects that lead to improved labour productivity and assesses the existence of statistically significant differences due to the demographic variables of respondents. Demographic-specific strategies that enhance construction “workers” productivity were revealed.Design/methodology/approachThe survey research design using a self-administered questionnaire was deployed to collect the primary data. The design followed a positivist paradigm to evaluate objectively how people-centred management affects construction workers' productivity. The statistical data were descriptively and inferentially analysed.FindingsPeople-centred management was determined to be significant in improving construction workers' productivity, with the most significant aspect being the building of employee confidence in related approaches. Designations and educational levels mostly indicated a statistically significant difference in several aspects that included the adoption of a functional reward culture for workers and training on people-centred principles. Training on-site management and construction workers in people-centred management and its application are crucial to improving construction workers' productivity.Research limitations/implicationsConstruction companies should drastically improve their concern for people while they sustain a high concern for production within their construction sites. Although several factors affect construction workers' productivity, this study determined that management-related factors and people-centred management were significant towards influencing low productivity in Zimbabwe.Originality/valueThe study determined people-centred management and demographic-specific interventions as being able to improve construction workers' productivity in Zimbabwe.

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