Purpose This study aims to introduce an efficient project buffer and resource management (PBRM) model for project resource leveling and project buffer sizing and controlling of project buffer consumption of a wind power plant project to achieve a more realistic project duration. Design/methodology/approach The methodology of this research consists of three main phases. In the first phase of the research methodology, resource leveling is done in the project and resource conflicts of activities are identified. In the second phase, the project critical chain is determined, and the appropriate size of the project buffer is specified. In the third phase of the methodology, buffer consumption is controlled and monitored during the project implementation. After using the PBRM method, the results of this project were compared with those of the previous projects. Findings According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that using PBRM model in this wind turbine project construction, the project duration became 25 per cent shorter than the scheduled duration and also 29 per cent shorter than average duration of previous similar projects. Research limitations/implications One of the major problems with projects is that they are not completed according to schedule, and this creates time delays and losses in the implementation of projects. Today, as projects in the energy sector, especially renewable projects, are on the increase and also we are facing resource constraint in the implementation of projects, using scheduling techniques to minimize delays and obtain more realistic project duration is necessary. Practical implications This research was carried out in a wind farm project. In spite of the initial plan duration of 142 days and average duration of previous similar projects of 146 days, the project was completed in 113 days. Originality/value This paper introduces a practical project buffer and resource management model for project resource leveling, project buffer sizing and buffer consumption monitoring to reach a more realistic schedule in energy sector. This study adds to the literature by proposing the PBRM model in renewable energy sector.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an efficient model for project buffer sizing by taking failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) into account to reach a more realistic schedule. Design/methodology/approach In the first phase of the project, several turbines were installed according to the primary schedule with an average duration of 142 days. Then, some of critical chain project management algorithms were separately applied in the implementation and installation of the other wind turbines. The adaptive procedure with resource tightness (APRT) method turned out to be the best method in terms of obtaining a more realistic schedule in this case study. Finally, FMEA was simultaneously applied with APRT. Findings Applying the hybrid method to the scheduling of the wind turbines, yielded the more realistic schedule than traditional. Research limitations/implications The proposed hybrid APRT-FMEA algorithm was implemented on a real wind farm construction project which was completed with 37 percent shorter duration than the initial estimation; in spite of the initial estimation of 142 days, the project completed in 103 days. Practical implications Introducing and implementing a new algorithm which is a combination of buffer sizing algorithms and one of the well-known and mostly used risk assessment methods in order to provide the more realistic project schedule in the construction of wind turbines. Originality/value Introducing and implementing a novel algorithm which is a combination of conventional buffer sizing method and one of the efficient risk assessment methods in order to make the schedule more realistic.

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