Easy Heuristic Way of Compromise Schedules Finding in Projects with Double-Constrained Resources

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 12-22
Author(s):  
Царьков ◽  
Igor Tsarkov
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Heuristic Methods ◽  
Project Schedule ◽  
Project Duration ◽  
Formation Problem ◽  
Optimum Solution ◽  
Manual Mode

Double-constrained resources are limited both on entire project, and for every period of its performance. Thus a project schedule formation problem represents a problem related to finding a tripartite compromise between project duration, and also renewable and non-renewable resources. It is one of the most difficult classes of tasks with determined parameters in which already at number of works in the project more than 20 it is possible to find the optimum solution only incidentally. Even heuristic methods are difficult and demand automation of calculations. In this work an algorithm and a set of recommendations will be presented which allow find problem solution’s optional versions practically in the manual mode even for the project with small number of works. The algorithm is adapted for such tasks Goyal method which is in turn based on the CPM-COST method, therefore this algorithm can be used for training of project managers and other experts, and it will promote better understanding of interrelations between the project’s key parameters.

The multi resource leveling and materials procurement problem: an integrated approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 2135-2161
Author(s):  
Hessa Almatroushi ◽  
Moncer Hariga ◽  
Rami As'ad ◽  
AbdulRahman Al-Bar
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Project Scheduling ◽  
Lot Sizing ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Project Schedule ◽  
Sequential Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ordering Policy ◽  
Solution Methods

PurposeThis paper proposes an integrated approach that seeks to jointly optimize project scheduling and material lot sizing decisions for time-constrained project scheduling problems.Design/methodology/approachA mixed integer linear programming model is devised, which utilizes the splitting of noncritical activities as a mean toward leveling the renewable resources. The developed model minimizes renewable resources leveling costs along with consumable resources related costs, and it is solved using IBM ILOG CPLEX optimization package. A hybrid metaheuristic procedure is also proposed to efficiently solve the model for larger projects with complex networks structure.FindingsThe results confirmed the significance of the integrated approach as both the project schedule and the material ordering policy turned out to be different once compared to the sequential approach under same parameter settings. Furthermore, the integrated approach resulted in substantial total costs reduction for low values of the acquiring and releasing costs of the renewable resources. Computational experiments conducted over 240 test instances of various sizes, and complexities illustrate the efficiency of the proposed metaheuristic approach as it yields solutions that are on average 1.14% away from the optimal ones.Practical implicationsThis work highlights the necessity of having project managers address project scheduling and materials lot sizing decisions concurrently, rather than sequentially, to better level resources and minimize materials related costs. Significant cost savings were generated through the developed model despite the use of a small-scale example which illustrates the great potential that the integrated approach has in real life projects. For real life projects with complex network topology, practitioners are advised to make use of the developed metaheuristic procedure due to its superior time efficiency as compared to exact solution methods.Originality/valueThe sequential approach, wherein a project schedule is established first followed by allocating the needed resources, is proven to yield a nonoptimized project schedule and materials ordering policy, leading to an increase in the project's total cost. The integrated approach proposed hereafter optimizes both decisions at once ensuring the timely completion of the project at the least possible cost. The proposed metaheuristic approach provides a viable alternative to exact solution methods especially for larger projects.

Evaluation Of Methods For Optimizing A Resource-Constrained Project. Part 2

10.12737/1958 ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 3-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
������� ◽  
Igor Tsarkov
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Network Capacity ◽  
Hybrid Algorithms ◽  
Heuristic Methods ◽  
Priority Rules ◽  
Resource Constrained ◽  
Constructive Heuristic ◽  
Evaluation Of Methods ◽  
Capacity Efficiency

Developing this subject, the author evaluates efficiency of various straight-through priority rules, used in constructive heuristic methods meant for reducing completion periods of projects with constrained renewable resources. Special attention is given to the so-called hybrid algorithms and dependence between efficiency of priority rules and network capacity. Efficiency of rules is analyzed based on sets of 480 PSPLIB projects: J30, J60, J90.

scholarly journals Toward Reducing Construction Project Delivery Time under Limited Resources

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 11035
Author(s):  
Hossam H. Mohamed ◽  
Ahmed H. Ibrahim ◽  
Asmaa A. Soliman
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Cost Optimization ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Schedule ◽  
Java Program ◽  
Optimizing Model

One of the most vital construction project aspects is to complete a project in minimum time restricted to the time–cost trade-off. Overlapping activities’ planning and their impact on the project under limited resource constraints should be considered. This study aims to develop a model for optimizing the project schedule and cost regarding overlap activities and their impacts. This study reviews previous studies on changes in past activities likely to produce additional reworking of subsequent activities. In addition, an AHP model is developed to assess the reworking time of subsequent activities based on possible changes in previous activities. In addition, five realistic construction projects are applied. Finally, an optimizing model is developed for optimizing project time and cost using overlapping techniques by using the Java program. The results indicate that the proposed model can be used by project managers easily for solving time and cost optimization problems. In addition, it can be updated to continuously improve its functionality. Finally, it can be updated later to support AI for finding better solutions.

Identifying Contractors’ Planned Quality Time in Egyptian Irrigation Projects

2022 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 155-170
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abdel-Hamid ◽  
Hanaa Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Construction Sector ◽  
Project Schedule ◽  
Project Duration ◽  
Irrigation Projects ◽  
Clear Information

During an extremely competitive infrastructure sector such as irrigation projects, quality time (QT) must be determined to can recognize probable quality crisis parts and to direct mind on schedule enhancement chances. The consciousness of planners on the significance of QT could be reflected in their project schedule. This study appears a measurement of planned QT in five infrastructure irrigation projects performed by different five contractors in Egypt. The aim is to aid the contractors to develop their QT preparation and thus enhance their project time based on the results. QT is fundamental classified into two classes: conformance time (CT), and nonconformance time (NCT). Based on many studies, a register of quality proceedings that would be enclosed in every QT groups are then generated. The QT records for every group are recognized and gathered via questions and questionnaire designs. QT is calculated as a proportion of the project duration. It is uncovered that while enormous companies previously have clear information on QT in construction sector, these times are not scheduled in a defined method during a study of regular QT details. During time classification it is also appeared that greater conformance time (CT) lead to lesser nonconformance time (NCT). It is then ended that a lot of effort is still to be made by the contractors to establish a QT documenting procedure which be able to act as a base for their project enhancement planning.

Evaluation of Methods for Optimizing a Resource-Constrained Project. Part 1

10.12737/1240 ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 13-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
������� ◽  
Igor Tsarkov
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Optimization Methods ◽  
Project Schedule ◽  
Schedule Management ◽  
Project Completion ◽  
Time Optimization ◽  
Soviet Time ◽  
Project Scheduling Problem ◽  
Problem Library ◽  
Computer Simulation Technique

Optimizing projects with constrained renewable resources is one of the most important issues in the theory of project schedule management, as such optimization allows to substantially reduce project completion period and to enhance project resource efficiency. Certain methods for solving this problem had been developed and practiced in the Soviet times, but regrettably their effectiveness still have not been compared to that of methods developed in the other countries. The author�s findings concerning the effectiveness of those Soviet-time optimization methods are presented in this paper. The results are obtained through internationally-recognized computer simulation technique and with the use of The Project Scheduling Problem Library (PSPLIB) databases.

Critical Sequences and Resource Links Optimization in Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (05) ◽  
pp. 1850032
Author(s):  
Wan-An Cui
Keyword(s):  
Resource Availability ◽  
Project Scheduling ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Translation Method ◽  
Project Schedule ◽  
Resource Constrained ◽  
Availability Constraints ◽  
Minimum Number ◽  
Specific Activities ◽  
Computing Speed

In order to identify critical activities and critical sequences under resource availability constraints, resource dependencies need to be established. By doing this, project managers and practitioners can focus their limited energy on specific activities and paths during the execution of a project schedule, thus guaranteeing that the project gets finished on time and with the available resources. This study proposes various rules to judge the superiority or inferiority of the methods of dependencies’ creation. The total number of critical sequences which is one of these rules, directly influences the degree of difficulty in controlling the whole project — a major concern for project managers. This study classifies activities in a resource-constrained project schedule on the basis of the relationships between activities and develops the basic idea behind the optimization of resource dependencies. Specifically, two mathematical models to minimize the total number of critical sequences and that of resource links through the table translation method are proposed. A computation example shows great improvement in the number of critical sequences, critical activities and resource links and gives effective results while solving the problems in the previous research. Moreover, simulations using J30, J60, and J120 instances by Kolisch highlight the high computing speed when searching for the actual minimum number of critical sequences and resource links thanks to the table translation method.

A Big Data and FMEA-based construction quality risk evaluation model considering project schedule for Shanghai apartment projects

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guofeng Ma ◽  
Ming Wu
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Schedule ◽  
Construction Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Quality ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Multiple Variables ◽  
Quality Risk ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to mine information on the construction process of previous projects to develop a construction plan that meets both quality requirements and schedule constraints. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a failure mode and effect analysis to evaluate the construction quality of 311 apartments in Shanghai. The authors also evaluate construction-scheduling control using the earned value management technique and implement an artificial neural network to correlate the results. The authors then develop a quality risk and schedule correlation model based on Big Data. The model can predict the relationship between the planned schedule and the project quality risk using multiple variables such as the number of layers, the schedule performance index and budget costs. Findings The methodology offers an innovative approach for assessment on the relationship between quality risk and project schedule. The authors have also built a multiple regression analysis model for comparative purposes with the model. The results show that the proposed model can better describe the relationship. The model can provide a quantitative quality risk value that changes with the planned schedule, as well as help project managers to understand the relationship between quality risk and project scheduling more accurately. Research limitations/implications The research approach only focuses on quality risk under the impact of scheduling. Future efforts might focus on developing a model that connects failure models with project schedules and costs in order to improve the effort of quality management. Practical implications The model based on Big Data in this paper is developed using real projects and reflects the relationship between project quality risk and scheduling in real environments. The created application provides support for project managers to develop and adjust quality plans and schedules, thereby reducing deviations in quality and scheduling objectives. Originality/value The authors make full use of historical project data from the perspective of both quality and schedule management, and provide a novel method to intelligently and objectively analyze the relationship between quality risk and scheduling.

Human Resource Allocation in Software Project with Practical Considerations

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (01) ◽  
pp. 5-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihun Park ◽  
Dongwon Seo ◽  
Gwangui Hong ◽  
Donghwan Shin ◽  
Jimin Hwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Time Span ◽  
Allocation Problem ◽  
Software Project ◽  
Resource Allocation Problem ◽  
Project Schedule ◽  
The Cost

Software planning is very important for the success of a software project. Even if the same developers work on the same project, the time span of the project and the quality of software may change based on the project plan. When software managers plan a software project, they strive to allocate human resources in a more efficient way to produce a better software with less cost. The planning process is, however, time-consuming and complicated, especially when the size of the software project is large. Many approaches have been proposed to help software project managers by providing optimal human resource allocations in terms of minimizing the cost. Previous approaches, however, only concentrated on minimizing the cost, and no existing works have considered the practical issues affecting project schedules in practice. We elicited the practical considerations relating to the human resource allocation problem through discussions with a group of software project experts. The practical considerations can affect the project schedule in practice, but their importance has not been taken into consideration in previous approaches. Reflecting the practical considerations, we propose an approach for solving the human resource allocation problem using a genetic algorithm (GA). We compare our approach to an approach that only considers minimization of the time span. Our evaluation shows that the proposed algorithm considers the practical considerations well, in terms of continuous allocation on relevant tasks, minimization of developer multitasking time, and balance of allocation. We also conducted a survey targeting software developers and managers, and the responses showed that practical considerations are as important as minimizing the cost, and our approach would be helpful to software managers. We also investigate the effect of weight factors and coefficient between sub-scores, and find that it is difficult to consider some practical considerations at the same time.

scholarly journals SCHEDULING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WITH RESOURCES ACCESSIBILITY LIMITED AND CHANGEABLE IN TIME

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Jaśkowski ◽  
Anna Sobotka
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Algorithm ◽  
Heuristic Algorithm ◽  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Resources Allocation ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Project Duration

This paper aims at solving the problem of minimising the construction project duration in deterministic conditions when the accessibility of renewable resources is limited and changeable in time (workforce, machines and equipment). Particular construction processes (with various levels of complexity) must be conducted in the established technological order and can be executed in different technological and organisational variants (different contractors, technologies, and ways of using resources). To solve this problem the authors are using evolutionary algorithm. For the assessment of solutions generated by evolutionary algorithm, the authors have worked out a heuristic algorithm (of resources allocation and project duration calculation). This methodology seems to produce similar outcomes when juxtaposed with other solutions obtained by research works carried out using comparable methodologies. The paper contains an example of practical application of evolutionary algorithm for construction project planning within resources and time constraints.

scholarly journals A partition-based branch-and-bound algorithm for the project duration problem with partially renewable resources and general temporal constraints

OR Spectrum ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Watermeyer ◽  
Jürgen Zimmermann
Keyword(s):  
Exact Solution ◽  
Branch And Bound ◽  
Renewable Resources ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Branch And Bound Algorithm ◽  
Time Lags ◽  
Temporal Constraints ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Project Duration ◽  
Partially Renewable Resources

AbstractThe concept of partially renewable resources provides a general modeling framework that can be used for a wide range of different real-life applications. In this paper, we consider a resource-constrained project duration problem with partially renewable resources, where the temporal constraints between the activities are given by minimum and maximum time lags. We present a new branch-and-bound algorithm for this problem, which is based on a stepwise decomposition of the possible resource consumptions by the activities of the project. It is shown that the new approach results in a polynomially bounded depth of the enumeration tree, which is obtained by kind of a binary search. In a comprehensive experimental performance analysis, we compare our exact solution procedure with all branch-and-bound algorithms and state-of-the-art heuristics from the literature on different benchmark sets. The results of the performance study reveal that our branch-and-bound algorithm clearly outperforms all exact solution procedures. Furthermore, it is shown that our new approach dominates the state-of-the-art heuristics on well known benchmark instances.

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