EVALUATING SURROGATE MEASURES OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SCHEDULE ROBUSTNESS

─Abstract ─ Projects are subject to various uncertainties that have negative effect on activity durations. This is most apparent in the case of construction projects. The actual completion time of construction projects is reported to be rarely in accordance with initial plans. A schedule considered optimal with respect to project duration may become infeasible due to disruptions caused by uncontrollable factors. Deficiencies of the existing methods of project scheduling gave rise to the worldwide search for predictive (or proactive) scheduling that is expected to provide robust schedules (immune to disturbances), thus counteracting instability and “nervousness” of a project plan. The baseline schedule (execution plan prepared prior to the project execution) is to be reliable in terms of not only the total project makespan, but also timing of particular tasks and activities – related with resource management. The main reason for the planner’s insisting on stable baseline schedules is the necessity of “advance booking” of key staff or equipment (to guarantee their availability) and keeping fixed delivery dates (as required by suppliers or subcontractors).