Chapter 9

Computer Scheduling
Projects should be scheduled one byte at a time

Computer Scheduling

Critical path method (CPM) requires numerous

computations to determine activity start and finish
dates, float values, and the overall project duration

Computers are ideal for repeatedly performing

mathematical computations on a set of data

Computers enable and facilitate both mobility of

the project schedule and multiple-user access

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Planning and
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Scheduling,Fourth
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Construction
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ConstructionPlanning
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Scheduling,Fourth
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Construction
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Computer Scheduling Terms

Activity Code: A value assigned to each activity

to help organize the activities into manageable
groups

Base Calendar: A calendar that applies to all of the

activities in a project

Baseline Schedule: The original schedule created

at the beginning of the project against which the
projects progress is measured

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Planning and
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Scheduling,Fourth
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Computer Scheduling Terms

Collapsing the Schedule: Consolidating the

subtasks within their respective summary tasks
so that only the summary tasks are shown

Constraint: A restriction imposed on the start

date, finish date, or other aspect of an activity

Data Date: The date used as the starting point

for schedule calculations

Data Date Line: A vertical line on a Gantt chart

representing the current date

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
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Edition
Construction
By Jimmie
By
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Hinze

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2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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Computer Scheduling Terms

Expanding the Schedule: Showing the subtasks

within their respective summary tasks

Filtering: Searching through the project activities

and showing only the activities that match specific
criteria

Global Change: A change that affects all activities,

or a selected group of activities, at the same time,
even those filtered from view

Layout: The appearance of the schedule on the

computer screen

ConstructionPlanning
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Scheduling,Fourth
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Construction
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Computer Scheduling Terms

Link Line: The line that connects the bars of linked

tasks on a Gantt chart to show logic relationships

Linking: The process by which relationships

between activities are created

Milestone Activity: A zero-duration activity that

signifies the start or finish of an activity or group
of activities

Network Loop: Circular logic within a network

of activities that prevents progression across or
through the network

ConstructionPlanning
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Scheduling,Fourth
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Construction
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1998 Pearson
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Computer Scheduling Terms

Progress Bar: A bar on a Gantt chart that

represents the progress of a particular task

Recurring Task: A task that occurs at regular

intervals in a project, such as a weekly project
meeting or a safety walkthrough of the job site

Resource Calendar: A calendar that applies to a

specific resource to define when the resource is
available

Sorting: Organizing the project activities according

to a specific format

ConstructionPlanning
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Scheduling,Fourth
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Construction
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Computer Scheduling Terms

Splitting a Task: Interrupting a task so that part

of it is completed later in the project

Subtask: A minor task typically representing

detailed effort

Summary Task: A task representing a general

activity of construction

Timescale: The timescale shown above or below

the schedule on the computer and in printed hard
copies of the schedule

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
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Edition
Construction
By Jimmie
By
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W Hinze
Hinze

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2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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Scheduling Programs

There are many computer scheduling

programs, and all perform essentially
the same principal taskto assist in the
development & management of schedules
The scheduling capabilities, functions
and features differ with each program

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
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Scheduling,Fourth
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Construction
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1998 Pearson
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Scheduling Software

Oracles Primavera P6 Professional Project

Management

P6 can be used on virtually any project

A maximum capacity of 100,000 activities on a
single project
Ability to group an unlimited number of projects,
and add unlimited resources

Oracles Primavera SureTrak

Allows a maximum of only 10,000 activities on a

single project
Allows projects to be grouped

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
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Construction
By Jimmie
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2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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Scheduling Software

Microsoft Office Project

Popularity is greatly attributed to its ease of use

and similarity to other Microsoft Office programs
Provides most of the functions and features as other,
more expensive programsmaximum 10,000 activities
Allows for quickly determining factors affecting task
dates and for tracing the source of impacts

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
FourthEdition
Edition
Construction
By Jimmie
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2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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Web-based Programs

Several software companies offer computer

scheduling capabilities via Web-based programs

Primavera P6 Professional Project Manager

Provides online integrated team communication and

collaboration
Coordinated, schedule based procurement
Project planning and control

Oracle Primavera Contractor

A scaled-down online version of P6 with scheduling

capabilities for projects with up to 2,000 activities

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
FourthEdition
Edition
Construction
By Jimmie
By
Jimmie W.
W Hinze
Hinze

2012,
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2008, 2004,
2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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Creating A Schedule

The modeling of network schedules on almost all

programs is performed by the CPM

The process of creating a schedule begins with

inputting activities

The Gantt chart will graphically show the sequence

of the activities after the schedule calculations

Most programs provide a task information form,

or dialog box, for inputting activity information

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
FourthEdition
Edition
Construction
By Jimmie
By
Jimmie W.
W Hinze
Hinze

2012,
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2008, 2004,
2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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Creating A Schedule

Basic information for each activity is the activity

name, duration, predecessors, and successors

A base calendar must be specified for the project

Each activity is given a unique ID number

Programs typically provide a default base calendar

Resource calendars are also created at this time

These reflect the availability of project resources

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
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Edition
Construction
By Jimmie
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2012,
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1998 Pearson
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Creating A Schedule

Once the activity information and desired

resource and cost data are input,
schedule calculations can be performed
Prior to the start of construction, the
planned construction schedule is
typically saved as a baseline schedule

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
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Construction
By Jimmie
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1998 Pearson
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Updating a Schedule

Tasks may not start and finish exactly as calculated

in the planned schedule

Periodic schedule updating can be performed as

soon as as-built information is acquired

The calculations are based on the current data date

and include changes made to the schedule

CPM calculations of the network are again performed

Revised start dates & float values are generated

Comparison of the as-built and baseline schedules is

generally shown using the Gantt chart

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
FourthEdition
Edition
Construction
By Jimmie
By
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W Hinze
Hinze

2012,
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2008, 2004,
2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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Presenting a Schedule

Presenting the schedule in a clear, concise format is

facilitated by the tremendous graphic capabilities of
current computer scheduling software

Gantt charts are the most commonly printed views

because they are easy to read and understand

Most programs also allow precedence diagrams

to be plotted to assist in viewing the network logic

Most programs offer the ability to create a report

on any specific resource and for any time frame
during the project

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
FourthEdition
Edition
Construction
By Jimmie
By
Jimmie W.
W Hinze
Hinze

2012,
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2008, 2004,
2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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Useful Software Features

Sorting, which groups the activities according to

some common criteria, helps the user to focus on
the schedule

Color coding the grouped activities enhances the

sorting feature

Filtering provides for a greater level of focus on

the schedule

Global editing provides a quick and easy way to

modify the information of many related activities

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
FourthEdition
Edition
Construction
By Jimmie
By
Jimmie W.
W Hinze
Hinze

2012,
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2008, 2004,
2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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Useful Software Features

Cash flow diagrams can typically be generated

If cost information about resources utilized is entered

Income revenue streams can be modeled across

activity networks by more sophisticated programs

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
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Edition
Construction
By Jimmie
By
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2012,
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2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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Useful Software Features

Maximizing the effects of resource leveling

requires performing both a backward and
a forward pass through the network
Some scheduling programs carry out only
a backward passmore sophisticated
scheduling programs perform both

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
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Scheduling,Fourth
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Construction
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Hinze

2012,
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2008, 2004,
2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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Useful Software Features

Summary tasks are an overall schedule view

One not cluttered with many small activities

Task tracing to identify schedule impacts allows

project managers to effectively manage a project
as a result of changes and unexpected events

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
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Edition
Construction
By Jimmie
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2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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Linking To Other Management

Software

Linking of estimating and scheduling software,

allows for the efficient management of both time
and money during the course of a project

Integration of schedule information with the design

documents provides additional benefits

Owners, designers, construction managers and

other parties to the project can exchange all sorts
of information during the course of a project

Facilitated by Web-based project management services

ConstructionPlanning
Planning and
andScheduling,
Scheduling,Fourth
FourthEdition
Edition
Construction
By Jimmie
By
Jimmie W.
W Hinze
Hinze

2012,
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2008, 2004,
2004, 1998
1998 Pearson
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CHAPTER END