An exploratory assessment of project duration in multiple-project schedules where resources are allocated by the Theory of Constraints method

The theory of constraints (TOC) method for managing multiple projects provides a relatively new and simple heuristic for allocating constrained resources to projects. While this method is increasingly being used, there is little information about its merit and it has not yet been subjected to extensive testing. In this paper literature relevant to the allocation of resources to multiple projects is first reviewed. Thereafter the TOC method for allocating resources to multiple projects is explained. Finally the paper reports on an exploratory study to evaluate the effect that the TOC method for assigning resources has on project duration. OPSOMMING Die “Theory of Constraints” (TOC)-metode vir die bestuur van veelvuldige projekte bied ’n relatief nuwe en eenvoudige heuristiek om beperkte hulpbronne aan projekte toe te ken. In die praktyk raak hierdie metode toenemend gewild maar daar is weinig inligting beskikbaar oor die meriete daarvan. Die metode is ook nog nie aan uitgebreide toetsing onderwerp nie. In hierdie artikel word ’n oorsig gegee oor die literatuur van hulpbrontoedeling. Tweedens word die TOC metode vir hulpbrontoedeling bespreek. Daarna word verslag gedoen oor ’n eksploratiewe ondersoek na die effek wat die TOC metode op die tydsduur van projekte het.

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