Linear Scheduling Model with Varying Production Rates

Activity production rates drive the development and accuracy of linear schedules. The nature of linear projects dictates an assortment of variables that affect each activity’s production rate. The purpose of this research was to expand the capabilities of linear scheduling to account for variance in production rates when and where the variance occurs and to enhance the visual capabilities of linear scheduling. This new linear scheduling model, a linear scheduling model with varying production rates (${\mathrm{LSM}}_{\mathrm{VPR}}$), has two objectives. The first is to outline a framework to apply changes in production rates when and where they occur along the horizontal alignment of the project. The second objective is to illustrate the difficulty or ease of construction through the time-location chart. This research showed that the changes in production rates because of time and location can be modeled for use in predicting future construction projects. Using the concept of working windows, ${\mathrm{LSM}}_{\mathrm{VPR}}$ allows the scheduler to develop schedule durations on the basis of minimal project information. The model also allows the scheduler to analyze the impact of various routes or start dates for construction and the corresponding impact on the schedule. The graphical format allows the construction team to visualize the obstacles in the project when and where they occur by using a new feature called the activity performance index (API). This index is used to shade the linear scheduling chart by time and location with the variation in color indicating the variance in predicted production rate from the desired production rate.