Integrating critical chain project management with last planner system for linear scheduling of modular construction
ISSN: 1471-4175
Article publication date: 3 August 2021
Issue publication date: 21 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a new method for project tracking and control of integrated offsite and onsite activities in modular construction considering practical characteristics associated with this type of construction.
Design/methodology/approach
The design embraces building information modelling and integrates last planner system (LPS), linear scheduling method (LSM) and critical chain project management (CCPM) to develop tracking and control procedures for modular construction projects. The developed method accounts for constraints of resources continuity and uncertainties associated with activity duration. Features of proposed method are illustrated in a case example for tracking and control of modular projects.
Findings
Comparison between developed schedule and Monte Carlo simulation showed that baseline duration generated from simulation exceeds that produced by developed method by 12% and 10% for schedules with 50% and 90% confidence level, respectively. These percentages decrease based on interventions of members of project team in the LPS sessions. The case example results indicate that project is delayed 5% and experienced cost overrun of 2.5%.
Originality/value
Developed method integrated LPS, LSM and CCPM while using metrics for reliability assessment of linear schedules, namely, critical percent plan complete (PPCcr) and buffer index (BI). PPCcr and BI measure percentage of plan completion for critical activities and buffer consumption, respectively. The developed method provides a systematic procedure for forecasting look-ahead schedules using forecasting correction factor Δt and a newly developed tracking and control procedure that uses PPCcr and BI. Quantitative cost analysis is also provided to forecast and monitor project costs to prove the robustness of proposed framework.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Dr Mohamed Al-Hussein from the University of Alberta for his support and valuable input. They also wish to thank the management team at Fortis Company in Edmonton, Alberta for their support and for providing access to data collection from their fabrication shop.
Citation
Salama, T., Salah, A. and Moselhi, O. (2021), "Integrating critical chain project management with last planner system for linear scheduling of modular construction", Construction Innovation, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 525-554. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-05-2018-0046
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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