New Methods in Construction Systems

Contemporary computer applications make it possible to assemble construction resource planning data and to present this information to a variety of users. Estimating and scheduling are interdependent functions of construction planning. Adequate planning requires detailed construction cost estimates which have been converted to time-dependent models by allocation of resources to activities. Computer printouts, in both tabular and graphic forms, isolate anomalies and provide a basis for redistribution of resources. From the assembled data, histograms representing resource demand models can be compiled. When two of these resource histograms are compared mathematically, useful effectiveness ratios can be devised, such as man-hours per ton of reinforcing steel. Such planning data can be compared to on-the-job experience in order to evaluate project management.