Multi-project scheduling in a construction environment with resource constraints

摘要

The simultaneous management of projects by organisations is a common occurrence within the construction sector. Many contracting organisations now work in an environment carrying out work for a variety of clients under different procurement methods. This often results in complex situations associated with multi-project scheduling where projects have to compete for, and share, common resources. The limitation of resources also exacerbates the problem and makes the scheduling process much more difficult. The traditional project management tools such as, bar charts, CPM, and PERT have their own limitations in multi-project situations; and while many heuristic rules have been developed to address scheduling problems, it is often difficult to select the most appropriate rule(s) to suit the continually changing conditions in multi-project environments. This paper addresses the issues surrounding multi-project scheduling. This includes traditional and heuristic approaches for scheduling projects covering both time and resource implications. Different approaches are covered in dealing with these situations, for the control of project duration. Details are also provided of an industrial survey concerned with multi-project scheduling which identifies current practice within the UK construction industry. The implementation of strategies in multi-project planning are also covered by way of stand-alone, integrated and combined systems, and a combined implementation model is developed for the multi-project planning process.