Simplified Simulation System for Construction Projects

Abstract

A new scheduling system based on statistical simulation is discussed. The system, called project-integrated cyclic analysis of serial system operations (PICASSO), blends and enhances two existing techniques, namely, the critical path method (CPM) and the cyclic operations network (CYCLONE) simulation. A PICASSO project diagram consists of a circle for each modeled resource, a box for each repeated activity, and arrows connecting these elements. The elements can be cycled as many times as required; thus each repetitive activity chain needs to be depicted only once. The massiveness of CPM and similar network techniques when applied to model repetitive projects is avoided altogether. The PICASSO also enhances the quality of the scheduling information normally found in simulation. Its scheduling procedures yield resource utilization statistics and activity chain float. The forward pass procedure computes early start dates and provides data for resource utilization statistics as well as for the backward pass calculations. The latter algorithm provides float information for each activity chain. Application examples illustrate the development and implementation of the method.