Applying cluster identification algorithm and simulation to generate probabilistic network schedules for design projects

Wei-Chih Wang and Ren-Jye Dzeng

Construction Management and Economics, 2005, vol. 23, issue 2, 199-213

Abstract: Scheduling of a design project is complex because design activities often have information dependencies between each other. This study proposes a network-based model to schedule design projects and generate probabilistic project durations. The proposed model applies a modified cluster identification algorithm to evaluate information dependencies between design activities to facilitate the establishment of a schedule network (and regroup activities to support the assignment of design work); it also uses a simulation approach to incorporate the effect on duration of the uncertain number of design iterations. The model is implemented in four stages, which are breaking down the design work; evaluating the dependencies; identifying concurrent activities; and estimating the durations of activities and simulating the duration of design project. The advantages of the proposed model are demonstrated through its application to an example project, which was reviewed by industrial practitioners. Practitioners felt that the generated detailed scheduling data could help them to control their design work more precisely than a bar chart. Additionally, the simulated probabilistic project duration provided them with an awareness of the risk involved in meeting the contractual deadline.

Keywords: Cluster identification algorithm; design schedule; information dependency; simulation; and project management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0144619042000301393 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:23:y:2005:i:2:p:199-213

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/RCME20

DOI: 10.1080/0144619042000301393

Access Statistics for this article

Construction Management and Economics is currently edited by Will Hughes

More articles in Construction Management and Economics from Taylor & Francis Journals
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Longhurst ().