The critical path method and program evaluation review technique in construction scheduling

Construction Scheduling

Computer Software, Scheduling Methods,

and their Importance to Construction Scheduling

Computer Software, Scheduling Methods,

and their Importance to Construction Scheduling

The scheduling of a construction project is one of the most important aspects of the entire process, as without accurate, organized, and reliable scheduling, a project will cease to exist, or even worse, be constructed in a way that goes against what is actually required, forcing individuals involved in the project to essentially start from scratch. One misstep in scheduling has the capacity to damage a project in its entirety, and it is because of this, that construction scheduling as a skill has risen to the forefront of requirements for work in the field. Construction scheduling is an aspect of the job that requires designers and contractors to fully understand construction plans and be able to execute these plans efficiently in a way that minimized disruptions. In understanding this facet of the job, one can better understand how certain computer software programs and scheduling methods can improve the task in order to make things run as smoothly as possible and should not be overlooked in beginning a project.

Program Evaluation and Review Technique and Construction Scheduling

Program evaluation and review technique, commonly abbreviated PERT, is a statistical tool, used in project management that is designed to analyze and represent the tasks involved in completing a given project. PERT is a method to analyze the involved tasks in completing a project, especially the time needed to complete each task, in order to identify the minimum time needed to complete the total project, and PERT is often utilized to simplify the planning and scheduling of large and complex projects, such as the Navy's Polaris nuclear submarine project for which it was developed (Clark, Malcolm and Roseboom, 1959, p. 646).

PERT, as seen, has been utilized in scheduling tasks as significant as U.S. military operations, but has further shown to be significantly useful in the construction field. Not only has PERT proven a viable tool in the scheduling of construction projects, but it has been noted to aid significantly in the research and development of projects. Even with an extensive experience base, construction operations have enough uncertainly that the construction manager can learn several important lessons from a brief overview of the PERT procedure including proper estimates of modal duration in terms of probability of accomplishing certain activities within the time period specified (Clough, Sears and Sears, 2008, pp. 366-67).

Gantt Charts and Construction Scheduling

A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule, including the start and finish dates of the terminal elements and summary elements of a project (Morris, 1994, p. 18). While considered common-place as a project management tool in construction and other fields today, Gantt charts were initially considered a radical concept and innovation of worldwide importance in the 1920s, and the concept gained significant public attention, leading to its use on large construction projects like the Hoover Dam and United States interstate highway system (Gantt, 2011, p.1). Despite the misconception that Gantt charts have essentially been overshadowed by more technologically-savvy programs, its basis in successful projects development and schedule have kept Gantt charts relevant in today's more technologically-based environment.

Conclusion

As seen, tools such as CPM, PERT and Gantt charts have been designed specifically for their use in the field of scheduling. As time progresses, such technological methods have proven to be consistently reliable and provide contractors and designers with the organization needed to begin and carry out their respective projects. These tools allow construction scheduling to become less of a chore and more of a science, and because of their proven success records, should not be ignored, but rather widely utilized in the construction field and specifically in construction scheduling.