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1. Overview of the Resource Scheduling Problem

   • Resources and Priorities Project network times are not a schedule until resources have been assigned. The implicit assumption is that resources will be available in the required amounts when needed. Adding new projects requires making realistic judgments of resource availability and project durations. Cost estimates are not a budget until they have been time-phased.
   • Resource Smoothing (or Leveling) Involves attempting to even out varying demands on resources by using slack (delaying noncritical activities) to manage resource utilization when resources are adequate over the life of the project.
   • Resource-Constrained Scheduling The duration of a project may be increased by delaying the late start of some of its activities if resources are not adequate to meet peak demands.

2. Types of Resource Constraints

   • Technical or Logic Constraints Constraints related to the networked sequence in which project activities must occur
   • Physical Constraints Activities that cannot occur in parallel or are affected by contractual or environmental conditions
   • Resource Constraints The absence, shortage, or unique interrelationship and interaction characteristics of resources that require a particular sequencing of project activities People, materials, equipment

3. Classification of a Scheduling Problem

   • Classification of Problem Using a priority matrix will help determine if the project is time or resource constrained.
   • Time-Constrained Project Must be completed by an imposed date. Time is fixed, resources are flexible: additional resources are required to ensure project meets schedule.
   • Resource-Constrained Project Is one in which the level of resources available cannot be exceeded. Resources are fixed, time is flexible: inadequate resources will delay the project.

4. Resource Allocation Methods

   • Limiting Assumptions Splitting activities is not allowed—once an activity is start, it is carried to completion. Level of resources used for an activity cannot be changed.
   • Risk Assumptions Activities with the most slack pose the least risk. Reduction of flexibility does not increase risk. The nature of an activity (easy, complex) doesn’t increase risk.
   • Time-Constrained Projects Must be completed by an imposed date. Require use of leveling techniques that focus on balancing or smoothing resource demands. Use positive slack (delaying noncritical activities) to manage resource utilization over the duration of the project. Peak resource demands are reduced. Resources over the life of the project are reduced. Fluctuation in resource demand is minimized.
   • Resource Demand Leveling Techniques for Time-Constrained Projects Advantages Peak resource demands are reduced. Resources over the life of the project are reduced. Fluctuation in resource demand is minimized. Disadvantages Loss of flexibility that occurs from reducing slack Increases in the criticality of all activities
   • Resource-Constrained Projects Resources are limited in quantity or availability. Activities are scheduled using heuristics (rules-of-thumb) that focus on: Minimum slack Smallest (least) duration Lowest activity identification number The parallel method is used to apply heuristics An iterative process starting at the first time period of the project and scheduling period-by-period the start of any activities using the three priority rules.

5. Computer Demonstration of Resource-Constrained Scheduling

   • EMR Project The development of a handheld electronic medical reference guide to be used by emergency medical technicians and paramedics
   • Problem There are only eight design engineers who can be assigned to the project due to a shortage of design engineers and commitments to other projects.

6. Splitting Activities

   • Splitting A scheduling technique for creating a better project schedule and/or increase resource utilization Involves interrupting work on an activity to employ the resource on another activity, then returning the resource to finish the interrupted work. Is feasible when startup and shutdown costs are low. Is considered the major reason why projects fail to meet schedule.

7. Benefits of Scheduling Resources

   • Leaves time for consideration of reasonable alternatives: Cost-time tradeoffs Changes in priorities
   • Provides information for time-phased work package budgets to assess: Impact of unforeseen events Amount of flexibility in available resources

8. Assigning Project Work

   • Reasons why we should not always assign the best people the most difficult tasks Best people: resent to the fact that they are always given the toughest assignments Less experienced participants: resent to the fact that they are never given the opportunity to expand their skill/knowledge base
   • Factors to be considered in deciding who should work together Minimize unnecessary tension; complement each other Experience: veterans team up with new hires

9. Multiproject Resource Schedules

   • Multiproject Scheduling Problems Overall project slippage Delay on one project create delays for other projects. Inefficient resource application The peaks and valleys of resource demands create scheduling problems and delays for projects. Resource bottlenecks Shortages of critical resources required for multiple projects cause delays and schedule extensions.
   • Managing Multiproject Scheduling: Create project offices or departments to oversee the scheduling of resources across projects Use a project priority queuing system: first come, first served for resources Centralize project management: treat all projects as a part of a “megaproject” Outsource projects to reduce the number of projects handled internally

10. Using the Resource Schedule to Develop a Project Cost Baseline

    • Why a Time-Phased Budget Baseline Is Needed To determine if the project is on, ahead, or behind schedule and over or under its budgeted costs? To know how much work has been accomplished for the allocated money spent—the project cost baseline (planned value, PV)
    • Creating a Time-Phased Budget Assign each work package to one responsible person or department and deliverable Compare planned schedule and costs using an integrative system called earned value

11. Reduces slack; reduces flexibility Increases criticality of events Increases scheduling complexity May make the traditional critical path no longer meaningful Can break sequence of events May cause parallel activities to become sequential Activities with slack may become critical

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