Project buffer sizing and dynamic buffer consumption algorithm in power generation construction

PurposeThe aim of this research is to propose a buffer sizing and buffer controlling algorithm (BSCA) as a heuristic algorithm for calculating project buffer and feeding buffers as well as dynamic controlling of buffer consumption in different phases of a wind power plant project in order to achieve a more realistic project duration.Design/methodology/approachThe BSCA algorithm has two main phases of planning and buffer sizing and construction and buffer consumption. Project buffer and feeding buffers are determined in the planning and buffer sizing phase, and their consumption is controlled in the construction and buffer consumption phase. The heuristic algorithm was coded and run in MATLAB software. The sensitivity analysis was conducted to show the BSCA influence on project implementation. Then, to evaluate the BSCA algorithm, inputs from this project were run through several algorithms recently presented by researchers. Finally, the data of 20 projects previously accomplished by the company were applied to compare the proposed algorithm.FindingsThe results show that BSCA heuristic algorithm outperformed the other algorithms as it shortened the projects' durations. The average project completion time using the BSCA algorithm was reduced by about 15% compared to the previous average project completion time.Originality/valueThe proposed BSCA algorithm determines both the project buffer and feeding buffers and simultaneously controls their consumption in a dynamic way.

[1]  Junguang Zhang,et al.  Dynamic monitoring and control of a critical chain project based on phase buffer allocation , 2018, J. Oper. Res. Soc..

[2]  Mani Poshdar,et al.  A Probabilistic-Based Method to Determine Optimum Size of Project Buffer in Construction Schedules , 2016 .

[3]  Francisco Saldanha-da-Gama,et al.  Priority-based heuristics for the multi-skill resource constrained project scheduling problem , 2016, Expert Syst. Appl..

[4]  Nan Li,et al.  Scenario-Based Proactive Robust Optimization for Critical-Chain Project Scheduling , 2015 .

[5]  Erik Demeulemeester,et al.  A tabu search procedure for developing robust predictive project schedules , 2008 .

[6]  Walter O. Rom,et al.  An investigation of buffer sizing techniques in critical chain scheduling , 2006, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[7]  Junguang Zhang,et al.  Critical chain project buffer sizing based on resource constraints , 2017, Int. J. Prod. Res..

[8]  Andrea Matta,et al.  A column generation algorithm for the Buffer Allocation Problem approximated by the Time Buffer concept , 2016 .

[9]  Xuebing Dong,et al.  Resource Leveling in Projects with Stochastic Minimum Time Lags , 2019 .

[10]  Mario Vanhoucke,et al.  A buffer control method for top-down project control , 2017, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[11]  Tarek Zayed,et al.  Optimized scheduling and buffering of repetitive construction projects under uncertainty , 2016 .

[12]  D. Malcolm,et al.  Application of a Technique for Research and Development Program Evaluation , 1959 .

[13]  Ahmad Makui,et al.  A risk-oriented buffer allocation model based on critical chain project management , 2017 .

[14]  Erik Demeulemeester,et al.  Incorporation of activity sensitivity measures into buffer management to manage project schedule risk , 2016, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[15]  James F. Cox,et al.  A tutorial on project management from a theory of constraints perspective , 2009 .

[16]  Fariborz Jolai,et al.  A new heuristic for resource-constrained project scheduling in stochastic networks using critical chain concept , 2007, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[17]  Mario Vanhoucke,et al.  A project buffer and resource management model in energy sector; a case study in construction of a wind farm project , 2020 .

[18]  Patrizia Beraldi,et al.  An adjustable robust optimization model for the resource-constrained project scheduling problem with uncertain activity durations , 2017 .

[19]  Indra Gunawan,et al.  Incorporation of resource reliability into critical chain project management buffer sizing , 2020 .

[20]  Qiang Wang,et al.  A column-generation-based algorithm for a resource-constrained project scheduling problem with a fractional shared resource , 2020, Engineering Optimization.

[21]  Shakib Zohrehvandi,et al.  APRT-FMEA buffer sizing method in scheduling of a wind farm construction project , 2019, Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management.

[22]  Mario Vanhoucke,et al.  Resource-constrained project scheduling with activity splitting and setup times , 2019, Comput. Oper. Res..

[23]  Giovanni Maria Sacco.  Buffer Management , 2009, Encyclopedia of Database Systems.

[24]  Xiaoming Zhang,et al.  Buffer sizing approach with dependence assumption between activities in critical chain scheduling , 2012 .

[25]  Manoj K. Malhotra,et al.  Resource Flexibility Issues in Multistage Manufacturing , 1990 .

[26]  Ning Liu,et al.  Energy-efficient integration of process planning and scheduling in discrete parts manufacturing with a heuristic-based two-stage approach , 2020 .

[27]  Erik Demeulemeester,et al.  Improved critical chain buffer management framework considering resource costs and schedule stability , 2017 .

[28]  Zhi Chen,et al.  Efficient priority rules for the stochastic resource-constrained project scheduling problem , 2018, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[29]  Suzanne Wilkinson,et al.  Resourcing for a resilient post-disaster reconstruction environment , 2010 .

[30]  Nicholas G. Hall.  Further Research Opportunities in Project Management , 2015 .

[31]  Ahmad Makui,et al.  An improved robust buffer allocation method for the project scheduling problem , 2017 .

[32]  Yan Zhao,et al.  A two-stage approach for the critical chain project rescheduling , 2020, Ann. Oper. Res..

[33]  Fayez F. Boctor,et al.  An efficient genetic algorithm to solve the resource-constrained project scheduling problem with transfer times: The single mode case , 2018, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[34]  Waldevique Franco Borges,et al.  Five Project-Duration Control Methods in Time Units: Case Study of a Linearly Distributed Planned Value , 2017 .

[35]  Debasis Sarkar,et al.  Critical chain project management for a highway construction project with a focus on theory of constraints , 2018, International Journal of Construction Management.