Project Scheduling: Lagging, Crashing and Activity Networks

Chapter 10

Lags in Precedence Relationships

The logical relationship between the start and finish of one activity and the start and finish of another activity. Four logical relationships between tasks 1. Finish to Start 2. Finish to Finish 3. Start to Start 4. Start to Finish

Finish to Start Lag

Most common type of sequencing Shown on the line joining the modes
Added during forward pass Subtracted during backward pass

0 A 6 Spec Design 6

6 B 11 Design Check 5

Lag 4

15 C 22 Blueprinting 7

Finish to Finish Lag

Two activities share a similar completion point
The mechanical inspection cannot happen until wiring, plumbing, and HVAC installation are complete
15 D 21 Wiring 6 Lag 3 16 B 21 HVAC 5 21 C 22 Inspection 1

10 A 16 Plumbing 6

Start to Start Lag

30

D 36 Wiring 6 Lag 3 33 B 36 HVAC 5 36 C 37 Inspection 1

31 A 33 Plumbing 6

Start to Finish Lag

30 D 36 Wiring 6

Least common type of lag relationship Successors finish dependent on predecessors start
Lag 3 28 B 33 HVAC 5 33 C 34 Inspection 1

22 A 28 Plumbing 6

Gantt Charts
 Establish a time-phased network  Can be used as a tracking tool Benefits of Gantt charts 1. Easy to create and comprehend 2. Identify the schedule baseline network 3. Allow for updating and control 4. Identify resource needs

Create a Gantt chart based on the activities listed in the table. Task Time Pred Task Time Pred Z Y X W V 8 5 8 4 5 -Z Z Y,X W U T S R 3 6 7 9 W V U,T S

Gantt Chart With Resources in MS Project

Crashing Projects
Accelerating a project by committing more resources than initially planned Principal methods for crashing  Improving existing resources productivity  Changing work methods  Increasing the quantity of resources

Managerial Considerations
Determine activity fixed and variable costs The crash point is the fully expedited activity Optimize time-cost tradeoffs Shorten activities on the critical path Cease crashing when
the target completion time is reached the crash cost exceeds the penalty cost

What is the lowest cost to complete this project in 53 weeks? Times are in weeks and costs in dollars.
Activity A B C D E F G H Pred -A A B, C D D E, F G Normal Time 14 5 10 8 6 9 7 15 Min Time 9 2 8 5 5 6 4 11 Normal Cost 500 1000 2000 1000 1600 1500 600 1600 Crash Cost 1500 1600 2900 2500 1900 3000 1800 3600

Activity on Arrow Networks

 Activities represented by arrows  Widely used in construction  Event nodes easy to flag  Forward and backward pass logic similar to AON  Two activities may not begin and end at common nodes  Dummy activities may be required

1. Use AOA to sketch the network that represents the project as described in the table. 2. Calculate early and late start and finish times for all activities. Activity A B C D E Time 4 2 10 3 15 Pred -A A B,C B Activity F G H K Time 4 15 7 11 Pred D D E,F,G G

Controversies in the Use of Networks

Networks can be too complex Poor network construction creates problems Networks may be used inappropriately When employing subcontractors
The master network must be available to them All sub-networks must use common methods

Positive bias exists in PERT networks