OLAP-Integrated Project Cost Control and Manpower Analysis

Abstract

Existing project management practices underemphasize the interrelationships between individual work tasks and other project components. This leaves the interdependencies under-recognized and under-managed, and promotes a “one-time event” thinking that hinders the quest for ongoing performance improvements. We propose a unified approach to project management that brings an integrative view to the forefront, centered on the notion of defining multiple views of the project and the interrelationships that exist between the views. On Line analytical Processing (OLAP) technology can provide a platform for implementing the unified approach to project management. OLAP’s multidimensional data structure matches well with a multiview framework. We developed and tested a prototype that represents two OLAP cubes for cost control and manpower allocation across five dimensions, including time, participant, task, product, and cost type. Through several project management scenarios, we evaluate the feasibility of mapping OLAP with project management activities, demonstrate the views available for different types of project management decision-making, and discuss the benefits and limitations of the OLAP-based platform. These tests demonstrate the potential of OLAP technology to provide flexible and efficient analysis of construction project data.