Modelling Line of Balance Schedules with Start-Finish Relationships

摘要

The use of the Line of Balance Scheduling Method (LBSM) has been increasing, especially by construction industry companies in Brazil, Finland and Australia. The method addresses to the particularities of construction projects more effectively than the Critical Path Method does. One drawback of the method is the unavailability of commercial software featuring the fundamentals of LBSM. Studies pointed this as a factor that prevents a more frequent use. Recognizing the potential of the method for managing construction projects, the objective of this paper is to propose methodologies for modelling Line of Balance schedules using CPM software. In order to model the schedule, the paper demonstrates the use of the "Start-Finish" logic relationship and its contributions for two different approaches for the modelling: Network and Linear Scheduling Approach. The first approach to demonstrate the design of a CPM network, which simulates the structure and function of a Line of Balance, with the objective of benefiting from CPM calculations. The second approach drops the CPM calculations and focuses on modelling, tuning and balancing individual workflow lines to and from milestones activities.