Optimization Model of External Resource Allocation for Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problems

Abstract

Construction project scheduling is crucial to project success. From the perspective of contractors, a practical schedule based on engineering experience not only improves the accuracy of project duration and cost estimation during the bidding process, but also facilitates the operation during project execution. This study employs Constraint Programming (CP) techniques to resolve resource-constrained project scheduling issues. A new scheduling model aiming for the minimization of total project cost, including resource usage and idle cost, is proposed in this paper. Most importantly, this paper introduces a new idea in resource-constrained project scheduling, namely the concept of external resources to enhance model feasibility for construction scheduling problems practice. A scheduling optimization engine coded in C++ is then developed to validate model feasibility and accuracy. The research results demonstrate the importance of external resources through case studies. Furthermore, the significance of critical resources is evaluated and discussed in this paper.

Combining simple motion measurement, lean analysis technique and historical data review for countering negative labor cost variance: A case study

“…[9][10][11] To better understand OM, the cost of production (CoP) has become an escalating problem in manufacturing. According to Shih and Liu, 12 CoP includes manufacturing labor costs, overhead costs and material costs that are needed for production. CoP increases when the total quantity of production increases.…”

“…Although in a scheduling problem in PPC, idle cost relating to labor, along with other costs, was considered in a new scheduling model to minimize the total CoP. 12 However, they further concluded that activity cost should be based on value-added resources related to the cost of labor, cost of materials and other related costs. Following Eiliat, 19 an empirical study on the total operational cost model was developed for a single product manufacturing system.…”