CHAPTER 5 : Part 1

CHAPTER 5 : Part 1

1. Types of project constraints

   • Technical or Logic Constraints
     • related to the networked sequence in which project activities must occur
   • Resource Constraints
     • absence, shortage, or unique interrelationship and interaction characteristics of resources that require a particular sequencing of project activities
     • People, Materials, Equipment, Working Capital

2. Scheduling Problem

   • Time Constrained Project
   • Resource Constrained Project

3. Resource allocation Methods

   • Limiting Assumptions
     • Splitting activities is not allowed
     • Level of resource cannot be changed
     • most slack pose the least risk.
     • Reduction of flexibility does not increase risk.
   • Time-Constrained Projects
     • completed by an imposed date
     • leveling techniques
       • Peak resource demands are reduced
       • Resources over the life of the project are reduced.
       • Fluctuation in resource demand is minimized.
   • Disadvantages
     • Loss of flexibility occurs from reducing slack
     • Increase in criticality of all activities

4. Splitting Activities

   • Scheduling technique to get a better project schedule or to increase resource utilization

5. Benefits of Scheduling Resources

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

6. Multi-project Resource Schedule

   • Problem
     • Overall project Slippage
     • Inefficient resource application
     • Resource bottlenecks
   • Solution
     • Create Project Offices or departments
     • Use a project priority queuing system
     • Centralized project management
     • Outsource

7. Rationale for Reducing Project Duration

   • Time to Market
   • Adaptability
   • Unforeseen Delays
   • Incentive Contracts
   • Imposed Deadlines

8. Accelarating Project Completion

   • Resource Constraints
     • Do it twice – fast and correctly
     • Fast-tracking
     • Critical chain
     • Reducing Project Scope
     • Compromise Quality
   • Resource Not Constraints
     • Adding resources
     • Outsourcing Project Work
     • Scheduling Overtime (OT)
       • Advantages
         • Avoid additional cost
         • Fewer distraction
       • Disadvantages
         • 2x / 3x payment
         • productivity decline
     • Establish a Core Project Team

9. Cost

   • Direct Cost
     • Normal costs that can be assigned directly to a specific work package/project activity
     • Labor, materials, equipments, and subcontractors
     • Crashing will increase direct costs
   • Indirect Cost
     • Cannot be associated with any particular work package
     • Supervision, admin, consultant, machinery
     • (crashing) will reduce indirect costs.

10. Priority Rules

    • ASAP
    • Minimum Slack First
    • ALAP
    • Shortest task duration first
    • Most Successor
    • Most critical followers
    • Most Resource first