Lovelyn O.

Reloba

Formative Assessment 6
Research Work
Answer the following questions briefly.
1. Name and define the different methods/techniques used in the construction project
scheduling.
2. Enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
3. Define what an is S-curve and explain the purpose of the S-curve.

Name and define the different methods/techniques used in the construction

project scheduling.

This study explores various scheduling strategies for construction projects, examining
their benefits, drawbacks, and practical applications in the construction sector.

Scheduling construction projects involves distributing resources, activities, and

deadlines to ensure timely completion and budget efficiency, utilizing various strategies and
methodologies to address unique challenges.

Critical Path Method (CPM): The Critical Path Method is a frequently used method for
determining project length that finds the longest series of activities, or the critical path. It aids
in the efficient use of resources and the identification of tasks that may be put off without
having an adverse effect on the project's completion date.

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT): PERT is a probabilistic scheduling

method that considers job length uncertainty using optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely
time estimates to predict durations and variation in projects.

Gantt Charts: Gantt charts provide a chronological visual representation of project tasks,
effectively updating stakeholders and discussing schedules, though they lack the
sophistication of CPM or PERT.

Line of Balance (LOB): LOB is frequently employed in repetitive construction projects, like
the building of high-rise structures or highways. It optimizes resource allocation and cuts
down on idle time by aligning jobs in a linear fashion.

4D Building Information Modeling (4D BIM): 4D BIM integrates 3D building models with
project timelines, providing a temporal component for visualizations, enhancing project
coordination, detecting conflicts, and sequencing issues early.
Lean Construction Scheduling: Lean construction practices, including the Last Planner
System, Pull Planning, and Lean Construction Scheduling, prioritize teamwork and waste
reduction in project management.

Resource Leveling and Smoothing: Resource leveling and resource smoothing are
techniques used to manage resource demands and maintain project length by ensuring
consistent distribution and preventing overallocation.

Critical Chain Method (CCM): CCM expands the critical route concept by considering
resource limitations, identifying essential actions to prevent delays caused by resource
constraints.

Monte Carlo Simulation: Monte Carlo simulation analyzes project risks and uncertainties
through multiple simulations, providing probabilistic predictions and identifying potential time
and cost overruns.

Agile Scheduling: The construction industry is increasingly utilizing agile scheduling

methods, such as Scrum and Kanban, for software development projects due to their
iterative nature and flexibility.

Collaborative Project Management Software: Software programs like Primavera P6,

Microsoft Project, and Procore offer advanced scheduling features, enabling project
managers to collaborate on schedule creation, revision, and analysis.

This study provides an overview of the most commonly used methodologies and
strategies for scheduling construction projects, emphasizing the need for more research and
innovative techniques to meet the changing demands of the construction sector. It helps
practitioners and researchers in the field.

Enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

Certainly, here is an enumeration of the advantages and disadvantages of each of the

mentioned methods and techniques in construction project scheduling.

Critical Path Method (CPM):

Advantages:

• Offers a definite and clear roadmap for the project's completion.

 • Highlights crucial tasks that require close supervision.
• aids in the allocation and optimization of resources.

Disadvantages:

• Assumes set work durations, which might not accurately reflect variation in the real
world.
• Projects with a lot of activity can get complicated.
• Little capacity to deal with resource limitations.

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT):

Advantages:

• Takes into account the ambiguity of job lengths.

• Offers probabilistic projections of when the project will be finished.
• Beneficial for projects with a high degree of variable or risk.

Disadvantages:

• Requires three duration values for each activity to be estimated, which can take
some time.
• Largely on time without taking resource limits into account.
• It can be difficult to interpret and perform complex calculations.

Gantt Charts:

Advantages:

• Gives project timetables a visual depiction.

• Simple to comprehend and explain to stakeholders.

• Useful for managing and tracking simple projects.

Disadvantages:

• Limited ability to visualize crucial routes and task dependencies.

• Poorly manages projects with numerous interconnected activities that are
complicated.
• Provides only basic analytical abilities.
Line of Balance (LOB):

Advantages:

• Optimizes the distribution of resources for frequent construction projects.

• Reduces idle time by linearly aligning jobs.

• Effective for initiatives that involve several related operations.

Disadvantages:

• Less suitable for tasks that involve a lot of variation.

• Possibly not well suited for one-of-a-kind or non-repetitive jobs.

• Necessitates extensive collaboration and planning up front.

4D Building Information Modeling (4D BIM):

Advantages:

• Integrates temporal and visual data for improved project understanding.

• Identifies conflicts and problems with sequencing before building begins.

• Increases cooperation and collaboration amongst project stakeholders.

Disadvantages:

• Calls for specialist software and knowledge.

• Data entry and initial setup can take some time.

• Initial setup and data entry can take some time.

Lean Construction Scheduling:

Advantages:

• The importance of communication and teamwork between project participants.

• Decreases waste and increases effectiveness.

• Capable of adjusting as project circumstances do.

Disadvantages:

• Possibly calls for a culture change within project teams.

• For tasks with severe deadlines and regular schedules, less efficient.
 • Aspects of continuous development could demand time and resources.

Resource Leveling and Smoothing:

Advantages:

• Prevents overallocation by balancing resource demands.

• Decreases the chance of resource shortages.

• keeps a more predictable workflow in place.

Disadvantages:

• Project length might be extended to resolve resource problems.

• The precise balancing of resources can be difficult to attain.

• May not take into consideration all resource limitations, including skill levels.

Critical Chain Method (CCM):

Advantages:

• Schedule that takes resource limits into account.

• Identifies a buffer to use as protection against delays caused by lack of resources.

• Focuses on finishing the project in the allotted amount of time.

Disadvantages:

• Management of the crucial chain and buffers is complicated.

• Possibly requiring more administrative work.

• It may be foreign to some traditional project stakeholders.

Monte Carlo Simulation:

Advantages:

• provide probability projections for when the project will be finished.

• Comprehensively takes into account risks and uncertainties.

• Provides information on the chances of reaching particular milestones.

Disadvantages:

• Calls for a sizable amount of data and simulation competence.

• Might be time-consuming and computationally demanding.

• Results are only as reliable as the assumptions and input data.

Agile Scheduling:

Advantages:

• Increases capacity to respond to shifting project requirements.

• Encourages stakeholder participation, openness, and collaboration.

• Appropriate for projects with changing requirements and regular adjustments.

Disadvantages:

• Not a good fit for projects with strict deadlines or predetermined schedules.

• Requires a change in project management procedures and attitude.

• Possibly at odds with conventional construction project management techniques.

Collaborative Project Management Software:

Advantages:

• Provides a wide range of scheduling options and features.

• Allows team members to collaborate and share data in real-time.

• Integrates with various systems and tools for project management.

Disadvantages:

• license fees for software and training expenses.

• Can be extremely complicated for simple or minor jobs.

• Dependency on technology, which could cause problems if systems go wrong.

Project managers must carefully consider the unique benefits and drawbacks of each
scheduling approach and strategy for construction projects to select the best approach for
their initiatives.
 Define what an is S-curve and explain the purpose of the S-curve.

An S-curve is a graphical representation of the cumulative development of a variable

over time, resembling the letter "S" on a graph. It begins slowly, picks up speed in the
center, and then tapers off, forming an S-shaped pattern. The curve can indicate various
characteristics, such as project completion, cost, income, or performance. It serves critical
purposes in fields like project management, economics, and quality control. In project
management, the main goal is to monitor project progress over time, comparing planned
versus actual data points. This helps identify deviations and ensures tasks are being
accomplished as intended.

The S-curve is a visual tool used by project stakeholders to evaluate project

performance, indicating trends in past and future performance. It helps assess whether the
project is effectively achieving its objectives and whether performance is rising, falling, or
stable. It also aids in effective resource management and allocation, enabling managers to
divide resources effectively, preventing shortages or waste, and maximizing resource
utilization.

The S-curve is a tool that aids in cost monitoring and control for financial initiatives,
enabling companies to compare actual spending to the intended budget at different stages,
preventing expense overruns. It simplifies the presentation of project data to stakeholders,
providing a concise summary of status and performance trends, facilitating informed
judgments and increasing transparency for organizations and project teams.

S-curves track flaws or deviations from quality standards over time, enabling
businesses to identify patterns and make adjustments. They can also predict future patterns
based on past data, allowing organizations to extrapolate the curve to make educated
assumptions about future project performance, resource needs, or cost estimates, promoting
risk management and proactive preparation.

In conclusion, the S-curve is a flexible graphic tool that may be used in many different
fields to track, evaluate, and explain development, performance, and resource allocation
across time. It equips decision-makers with insightful knowledge that enables them to
guarantee project success, maximize resource use, and make wise decisions.