Topic 11 Resource Management in Scheduling

The required reading for this week is Article 7, the Great Divorce: Cost Loaded Schedule Updating, by John P. Orr. This article starts with explaining the impact of resources on schedule, then goes on to resource related problems in scheduling. It is a little long (15 pages including a title page and a TOC) but it ties up nicely a number of things we have discussed. For a simpler explanation of resource constraints on project schedule, read Article 1.

Article 4 is another good article on resource loading and leveling. It starts with a discussion of float, which is our topic last week, then covers the processes of resource leveling. The author Michael R. Nosbisch, is the current AACE President. His co-author, Ron Winter wrote our required reading last week.

Article 5 deals with some practical issues with resource loading in P3 and MS Project. Article 6 is an academic discussion on resource constraint. You may find it difficult to read starting from page 4. Proceed with caution. Article 2 and 3 are on the specific issues of labor resource management. I would recommend Article 3 over 2.

By now you probably have noticed that a lot of these “better” articles are from a relatively small group. Just take a look at the familiar names below, Just, Chen, Winter, etc. Sometimes you can actually follow an individual’s work. Or better yet, you could become one of those individuals/leaders if you are willing to share what you have learned in your profession. You don’t really need an advanced degree for this.

1. The Effect of Resource Constraints on Project Schedules, Michael R. Just, CCE; James P. Murphy, AACE Transactions, 1994
2. Labor Resource Planning for Construction Projects, Anubhav Bhargava; Balkiz Oztemir; Allan D. Chasey, AACE International Transactions, 2002
3. Applying Trapezoidal Technique in Resource Management, Mark T. Chen, AACE International Transactions, 2006
4. Managing Resource Leveling, Michael R. Nosbisch, CCC PSP; Ronald M. Winter, PSP, Cost Engineering, Vol. 48, No. 07, 2006
5. Artificial Resource Loading for Schedule Review, Albert Joseph Kuhn, PSP, 2007 AACE International Transactions, PS.17, 2007
6. Advanced Scheduling Technology for Shorter Resource-Constrained Project Durations, Robert Richards, AACE International Transactions, 2008
7. The Great Divorce: Cost Loaded Schedule Updating, John P. Orr, PSP, 2011 AACE International Transactions, OWN.718, 2011

Topic 10 Float and Schedule Compression

The issue of float can be rather complicated. Many of the articles below are very technique. The goal for this class is to get a preliminary understanding of this issue. Article 7, Who should own the float, by Ron Winter (not Ron White), is the required reading for this week. This particular question has been asked over and over again in past years. Read Article 1 for an earlier take of this question. If you are interested in the technical aspect, you can start with Article 5. Article 6 is similar to Article 5. I also like Article 2. It is from a while ago but by a well-known author. The language is clear and precise. I wish I can write like that. The rest (Article 3, 4, and 8) deal with different aspects of the float issue.

Schedule compression is a closely related subject but I couldn’t find any suitable material for the class.

1. Who Owns Float?, Gordon G. Peterman, CCE, Cost Engineering, Vol. 21, No. 02, 1979
2. Float Ownership: Specs Treatment, Dr. Gui Ponce de Leon, PE, Cost Engineering , 1986
3. Schedule Density as a Tool for Pricing Compensable Float Consumption, Michael Ross Finke, Cost Engineering , 2000
4. Effect of Multiple Calendars on total Float and Critical Path, Nestor J. Scavino, CCC, Cost Engineering , 2003
5. Total Float Management for Delay Analysis, Khalid S. Al-Gahtani; Satish B. Mohan, AACE International Transactions, 2005
6. Total Float Management, Renovating a Misused and Abused Approach, Dr. Anamaria I. Popescu, PE, AACE International Transactions, 2008
7. Who Should Own the Float, Ron Winter, PSP; Timothy T. Calvey, PE PSP, AACE International Transactions, 2008
8. When is the Critical Path Not the Most Critical Path?, Murray Woolf, 2008 AACE International Transactions, PS.07, AACE International, Morgantown, WV, 2008

Topic 9 Change, Delay, and Claim

The required article for this week is Article 8, Schedule Delay Analysis, by George R. Stumpf. It is an overview of delay analysis methods. You may find some parts of the article technical. Check on Article 7 for basic concepts. It is similar to Article 8 but shorter and simpler because “smoke and mirrors” are eliminated. Article 2 is also an overview of delay analysis methods, a little dated, but still a good article. For the most recent development in methods and terminologies on delay analysis, read Article 9.

Most other articles are on construction claim, including Articles 1, 3, 5, and 6. Article 4 is a summary of an academic study. Article 10 sheds some light on the connection between 4D models and delay analysis.

1. Minimizing Costs of Delay Construction Claims, Dwight A. Zink, AACE Transactions, 1987
2. Delay Analysis - Issues Not for Granted, George E. Baram, CCE, AACE Transactions, 1994
3. Claims prevention: Offense versus defense, James Zack, AACE International Transactions, 1996
4. Construction Documentation Used as Indicators of Delays, Hala Elnagar; Janet K. Yates, Cost Engineering, Vol. 39, No. 08, 1997
5. How to lose money negotiating a construction claim, Michael Just; Torone,Brian, AACE International Transactions, 1997
6. Delay damages-some owner defenses, James Zack, AACE International Transactions, 1998
7. Delay Analysis - Eliminating the Smoke and Mirrors, Eric Z. Fruchtman, AACE International Transactions, 2000
8. Schedule Delay Analysis, George R. Stumpf, PE, Cost Engineering , 2000
9. Current Delay Analysis Techniques and Improvements, Satish Mohan; Khalid Al-Gahtani, Cost Engineering; 2006
10. Leveraging the Power of 4D Models for Analyzing and Presenting CPM Schedule Delay Analyses, Kevin Coyne, AACE International Transactions, 2008

Topic 8 Earned Value Management

This topic does not fit the background of this class very well but it is one of the essential things we need to discuss in this class. Most of these articles cover the basics of EVM and should be able to give you glimpse of what EVM is and its applications.

This week’s required reading is Article 10, Earned Value Management - Why Am I Being Forced to Do It?, by Ursula Kuehn, EVP. It is a step by step guide for EVM implementation, using a small project as an example. Articles 4, 6, and 11 also fit in the category of basic introduction, but with different flavors. Article 4 is an earlier overview of EVM, with colorful language. Article 6 provides some historical perspectives on the subject and explains where the concept of EVM was from. Article 11 explains the terminology very well, thus ABCs in the title.

If you are interested in the practical side, read Articles 2, 3, 8, and 9. Articles 2 and 3 focus on “small projects”. Note how they define small projects. Article 8 represents standard practices on EPC project. I had to include Article 9 because it is about how military projects are tracked and audited.

The rest are special topics. Article 12 is about how EVM could be beneficial to fixed-price contract. For the architects, you might be interested in progress measurement in design and how EVM fits in. Read Articles 1 and 5 for this. EVM is a critical tool for forecasting. Read Article 7 about this.

1. System for Establishing Drawing Status, John G. Koval, CCE, AACE Transactions, 1981
2. Application of a Manual Earned Value System for Small Engineering Projects, John Canepari; M. J. Varrone, PE, AACE Transactions, 1985
3. EV - Not Only for Large Projects, Walter F. Adamczyk, PE, AACE Transactions, 1989
4. Understanding the Value of Earned Value or Where Have All Your Dollars Gone?, Lee R. Lambert, AACE Transactions, H.2, 1989
5. Applying Earned Value Procedure to Engineering Management, Mark T. Chen, AACE Transactions, 1991
6. The Essence and Evolution of Earned Value, Quentin W. Fleming; Joel M. Koppelman, AACE Transactions, 1994
7. Going for the Goal, Forecasting, Joseph M. Brown, CCC, AACE Transactions, 1996
8. Practical EVMS for an EPC Project, Tetsuya Yonezawa, CCE, AACE International Transactions, CSC.18, 2005
9. EVMS Internal and DCAA Audit Recommendations, Sean T. Regan, CCE, AACE International Transactions, EVM.03, 2006
10. Earned Value Management - Why Am I Being Forced to Do It?, Ursula Kuehn, EVP, AACE International Transactions, EVM.05, 2007
11. The ABCs of Earned Value Application, Mark T. Chen, PE CCE, AACE International Transactions, EVM.03, 2008
12. Earned Value on Fixed-Price Projects, Carol J. Christensen-Day, EVP PSP, AACE International Transactions, EVM.S02, 2010

Topic 7 BIM and 4D Scheduling

The required reading this week is Article 7, BIM: Sharing Project Data Reduces Conflict, by William R. Zollinger, III. It was selected because of its close alignment with scheduling and non technical nature. For the technical aspect of BIM, read Article 5. Article 3 was the required reading last semester. It is not as technically up to date as the newer articles but has real world project examples. Article 4 also has references to an actual project but falls short to bring out the “profitable combination” part. If you wish to go one step further than 4D, to cost estimating, read Article 11.

Article 8 and 9 are similar in nature, as in connecting BIM with IPD and sustainability. The architects in this class may find them interesting. To gain a historical perspective on the subject, read Article 1 and 10, which happen to have the same author. They explain to a certain degree why BIM was developed as a technology. It is a solution to a problem traces far back in history.

Article 2 is an older version of a popular guide published by AGC. This PDF file is from the website of Nebraska Chapter of AGC. The introductory part is still valid for most part. To buy the latest version, visit http://store.agc.org/Construction-Delivery/Building-Information-Modeling-BIM/2928.

Article 6 is from a pioneer in the area of information modeling for construction. The article comments on the overall picture of information technology in construction.

1. Integrating CAC, Estimating, Scheduling, and Accounting, Philip D. Larson, AACE International Transactions, 2001
2. AGC Contractor's Guide to BIM, First Edition, 2006 (Second Edition is available from AGC)
3. 4D Modeling: Adding a New Dimension to CPM Scheduling, Vidya C. Dixit, AACE International Transactions, 2007
4. Scheduling, Estimating, and BIM: a Profitable Combination, Tamera Lee McCuen, AACE International Transactions, 2008
5. The Quantification Process and Standards for BIM, Tamera L. McCuen, 2009 AACE International Transactions, BIM.01, AACE International, Morgantown, WV, 2009
6. The impact of emerging information technology on project management for construction, Thomas M. Froese, Automation in Construction, 2010
7. BIM: Sharing Project Data Reduces Conflict, William R. Zollinger, III, PE; David L. Sutton, PE; Gary Montler, PSP; Mark M. Seifried, PE, 2010 AACE International Transactions, BIM.03, AACE International, Morgantown, WV, 2010
8. 4D/5D BIM, JOC, IPD -- Why the AEC Industry Must Change, Peter Nicholas Cholakis, 2011 AACE International Transactions, PM.472, AACE International, Morgantown, WV, 2011
9. BIM, Sustainable Construction and Integrated Approaches to Project Delivery, Tamera L. McCuen, 2011 AACE International Transactions, BIM.731, AACE International, Morgantown, WV, 2011
10. Building Information Modeling (BIM) -- Designing a Comprehensive and Interpretive Database, Philip D. Larson, FRICS CCE CEP PSP, 2011 AACE International Transactions, BIM.751, AACE International, Morgantown, WV, 2011
11. The Fifth Dimension of BIM -- Cost Estimating, Jignesh S. Shah, MRICS CCE, 2011 AACE International Transactions, BIM.760, AACE International, Morgantown, WV, 2011

Topic 6 Communication and Documentation

This is not a collection of articles about communication and documentation in general but rather in the context of planning and scheduling. The required article for this week is Article 5, Project Planning: a Great Communicator, by James Baar, even though Article 8 is really worth reading as well. It promotes this idea of “documenting the schedule basis”, which is actually not new. All other articles address various aspects of communication and documentation in scheduling.

1. What Construction Management Seeks in Pictorial Documentation, R. Dennis Foster, 1982 AACE Transactions, A.5, AACE International, Morgantown, WV, 1982
2. Meaningful Scheduling Summaries for Management, Robert R. Cook, CCE, AACE Transactions, 1983
3. The Daily Report As A Job Management Tool, DA Pogorilich, Cost Engineering , 1992
4. Developing an As-Built Schedule From Project Records, John R. Knoke, PE; Gary H. Jentzen, PE, AACE International Transactions, 1996
5. Project Planning: A Great Communicator, James E. Baar, PE, AACE International Transactions, 2002
6. Electronic Project Documentation: Legal and Practical Problems, James G. Zack Jr., 2002 AACE International Transactions, CDR.06, AACE International, Morgantown, WV, 2002
7. Notes from your Technical Board: Construction Document Control, Edward E. Douglas III, Cost Engineering, Vol. 45, No. 04, AACE International, Morgantown, WV, 2003
8. Documenting the Schedule Basis, Edward E. Douglas III, CCC, PSP, AACE International Transactions, 2005
9. Retrospective As-Built Schedule Development, Anamaria I Popescu; Andrew Avalon, AACE International Transactions; 2005

Topic 5 Scheduling Update, Submittal, and Review

I modified this week’s topic slightly after reading these articles. These 9 articles cover three distinct steps in scheduling work during construction: update schedule, submit to the owner for approval, and review conducted by the owner. The concept of baseline schedule plays a very important role in this process. Unfortunately none of these articles covers all aspects of this process. I am having a hard time deciding which would be the required reading. Article 4 would be a good choice because schedule updating is one of the contractor’s essential tasks. Some of you with architecture background may find Article 2 interesting because it is from the owner’s perspective. The title of Article 1 may be misleading. It is a pretty thorough description of the owner’s schedule review process, just like Article 2. However, very little in this article is about “automating”.

This is the solution I came up with. Choose between Article 2 and 4. You may read either one as the required article. You may find the example schedule in Article 4 challenging if you don’t have any background in scheduling.

Article 5 and 6 are about the timeline issue with getting baseline schedule approved by the owner at the beginning of the project. Article 3 is a short blurp on schedule review from a neutral stand point. Article 9 on the other hand is a long article on recommended practices for the entire process of updating and review, but unfortunately in the context of Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) projects. Most of you would find it less relevant. Article 8 is about the specific issue of constructability and its role in schedule review.

Article 7 is a unique piece about baseline schedule. It gives us at least one of the reasons why the “big dig” project in Boston was so messed up.

1. Automating the Schedule Review Process, John R. Knoke, PE; Jhan Schmitz, AACE Transactions, 1992
2. Owner's Reviews of Schedules - How Far Should They Go?, Donald J. Fredlund, Jr.; Fred King, AACE Transactions, 1992
3. Schedule Review Basics, Craig L. Olsen, AACE International Transactions, 2000
4. The Necessity of Project Schedule Updating/Monitoring/Statusing, Jeffrey D. Kursave, CCC, Cost Engineering , 2003
5. Contractor's Schedule Submittal: Catch-22, Earl T. Glenwright Jr., AACE International Transactions, 2004
6. Construction Baseline Schedule Review and Submittal Timeframe, Win G. Li, PE CCE PSP; David J. Carter, Cost Engineering, 2005
7. A Continuously Changing As-Planned Baseline, John C Livengood; Mark I Anderson, AACE International Transactions; 2005
8. Schedule Constructability Review, Edward E. Douglas, CCC, PSP, AACE International Transactions, 2008
9. AACE International Recommended Practice No. 53R-06 Schedule Update Review, 2008

Topic 4 The Myth of Work Breakdown Structure

I am calling WBS a Myth because most people in this class are not familiar with this. We are going to stay with the basics. The required reading for this week is Article 2, Work Breakdown Structure: a Simple Tool Complex Jobs, by John Mansy, even though Article 1 on the list ties WBS to cost and schedule very nicely. Article 2 also refers to a few WBS guides from government agencies (p5), all from the 80’s. For a more up to date guide on WBS, check the Powerpoint file (No. 5 on the list) prepared by Booz Allen Hamilton for DOE. Some articles are on the technical side referencing to actual projects (Article 3, 6, and 9). Article 4 and 7 are advanced discussion on lesson learned for WBS. Article 8 is about a very specific use of WBS in estimating.

1. WBS Criteria for Effective Project Control, Frank D. Postula, AACE International Transactions, 1991
2. Work Breakdown Structure: A Simple Tool for Complex Jobs, John Mansuy, Cost Engineering, 1991
3. WBS development for an $11 billion transportation project, Michael A. AHauser, AACE International Transactions, 1994
4. Resolving Work Breakdown Structure Problems, Stephen E. Mueller, AACE International Transactions, 2000
5. Earned Value Management Tutorial Module 2: Work Breakdown Structure, Booz Allen Hamilton, 2001
6. Developing a Work Breakdown Structure as the Unifying Foundation for Project Controls Systems Development, Lee J. Hobb; Beverly M. Sheafer, Cost Engineering , 2003
7. The Keys to Forecasting-#2 Work Breakdown Structure, James Baar; Stephen M. Jacobson, Cost Engineering, 2004
8. Work and Resource Breakdown Structures for Formalized Bottom-Up Estimating, Parviz F. Rad, PE CCE; Denis F. Cioffi, Cost Engineering , 2004
9. Heavy Civil & Infrastructure WBS, Paul Martin Hewitt, AACE International Transactions, 2006

Enjoy.

Topic 3 From Cost/Schedule Integration to Project Control

The required reading for this week is Article 3 Integrated Cost And Schedule Control, by Bruce Kibler. This article shows how cost/schedule integration evolved into the concept of project control. Article 4 is similar in nature but has more practical elements. To gain a historic perspective on the subject, read Article 1 from 1981. Article 2 is one of the earlier and corner stone works on project control developed by CII. For real world applications, read Article 5 and 6. Article 8 is about implementation strategies for project control. Article 10, 11, and 12 are about the latest development, more at an advanced level. Article 7 is a one of a kind piece on why estimators need to know about scheduling. You can also call it scheduling in a nutshell. Article 9 is about a very specific subject related to both cost and schedule, activity based job costing.

1. Integration of Cost and Scheduling Systems, Paul B. Shiring, Jr., CCE, AACE Transactions, 1981
2. Project Control for Construction (p1-p13), CII Publication RS6-5, September 1987, reviewed by CII June 23, 2004
3. Integrated Cost And Schedule Control, BE Kibler, Cost Engineering , 1992
4. Project Controls - A Practical Approach, Michael J. Cunningham, CCC, Cost Engineering , 1994
5. Cost/schedule systems for a utility engineering organization, Daniel J Martin, Cost Engineering, 1994
6. Project Controls: Cost / Schedule / Progress Management on the NASA Wind Tunnel Restoration Project, Kelvin Yu, PE, CCE, Cost Engineering, 1996
7. Scheduling for Estimators, Robert R. George, CCC, JCMS Proceedings, 1998
8. Establishing a project controls organization, Douglas, Edward E, III, AACE International Transactions, 1999
9. Activity-Based Job Costing for Integrating Estimating, Scheduling, and Cost Control, Aminah Robinson Fayek, Cost Engineering , 2001
10. Evolving project control practices, Longworth, Scott R, AACE International Transactions; 2002
11. Avoiding project controls pitfalls, Hyde, Marlene M, AACE International Transactions, 2003
12. Revitalizing Project Controls: A Roadmap to Excellence, Michalak, Christopher F;Stephenson, H Lance, AACE International Transactions, 2006

Topic 2 Scheduling Requirements in Contracts and Specifications

We have a total of 9 articles available this week. I checked these articles again and decided Article 7, Scheduling Specifications: A Lump Sum Contractor's Perspective, is a better choice as the required article, although Article 8 is worth reading too. Article 1 is a chapter from an old book I found on EBay. In 1927 scheduling was just one chapter in a book on "construction methods". It gives us a historical perspective on the subject. Article 2 is also from a while ago. Compare it with Article 8. Some of the articles may be on the technical side (Article 5, 6). Try the best you can.

1. Chapter 14, Construction Schedule, in Standard Construction Methods, by G. Underwood, 1927
2. Scheduling Specifications for the 80's, Dr. Gui Ponce de Leon, PE, AACE Transactions , 1983
3. Practical Specifications For Project Scheduling, John R. Clark, PE, Cost Engineering , 1990
4. Contrasting Cost-Loaded CPM Scheduling Specifications, Dr. Gui Ponce de Leon, PE; Michael J. Mix; Philip Spittler, AACE Transactions, 1994
5. Selecting Planning and Scheduling Specifications, Leaf A. Ballast; Calin M. Popescu, AACE International Transactions, 2001
6. Contract Requirements for Construction Schedule, Win G. Li, PE CCE, AACE International Transactions, 2003
7. Scheduling Specifications: A Lump Sum Contractor's Perspective, Martin J. Bradley, CCC, AACE International Transactions, 2005
8. Scheduling Specifications for the 21st Century, Paul Levin, AACE International Transactions, 2006
9. Schedule Specifications - Handle with Care, Stephen P. Warhoe, AACE International Transactions, 2009

Topic 1 Scheduling in General

The required reading for this week is Article 5 “Tripping Hazards in Schedules”, by Donald F. McDonald Jr. You also need to read another article of your choice. Most of the articles this week are on the general subject of planning and scheduling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Some are more specific than others. Article 3 is about level of details in scheduling. Article 4 is specifically about the CPM method. Articles 7 and 9 are two studies about the application of common scheduling practices and their impact. Article 8 is about how a planning and scheduling department should function.

1. Planning and Scheduling for Success, Ignacio Manzanera, CCE, AACE Transactions, 1990
2. Considerations in Planning and Scheduling, John K. Nabors, AACE Transactions, 1994
3. Schedule Hierarchy - An Overview, Sarwar A. Samad, Cost Engineering , 1998
4. The Pitfalls of CPM Scheduling on Construction Projects, Ian A. Street, Cost Engineering , 2000
5. Tripping Hazards in Schedules, Donald F. McDonald Jr., AACE International Transactions, 2002
6. Project Planning--Then Scheduling, Edward E. Douglas III, CCC, AACE International Transactions, 2004
7. Scheduling Practices and Project Success, Andrew F. Griffith, PE, AACE International Transactions, 2005
8. Planning and Scheduling Department: Functional Aspects, Junaid Ahcom, ICC; Ali Ali Shash, AACE International Transactions, 2005
9. CPM Scheduling and How the Industry Views Its Use, Patricia D. Galloway, PE, AACE International Transactions, 2005

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