Improved Strategy for Resource Allocation in Repetitive Projects Considering the Learning Effect
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 140, Issue 11
Abstract
Considering the learning effect while planning and scheduling repetitive construction projects can help provide a realistic forecast of their duration and resource requirements. This paper has developed an improved learning curve (LC) to replace the log-linear LC for monitoring improvement in workers’ performance. The improved LC assumes that the manual work time of the specific unit converges to a nonzero constant rather than zero under a large number of repetitions. It also takes into account the influence of workers’ prior experience and machinery in the learning process. An improved line-of-balance (LOB) model is then presented by integrating the proposed LC and a mechanism of resource allocation. The proposed LOB model can make use of the learning effect to minimize the total resource usage of a project, while meeting the requirements for work continuity and the target deadline of each activity. An illustrative example has been cited to demonstrate the capability of the model. The technique can help planners use the learning effect to get a more realistic and optimal schedule about resource utilization.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the Natural Science Foundation of China (Contract No. 71271081) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities 13ZD08). The authors are grateful to the anonymous referee for a careful scrutiny of details and for comments that helped improve this paper.
References
Ali, M. M., and Elazouni, A. (2009). “Finance-based CPM/LOB scheduling of projects with repetitive nonserial activities.” Constr. Manage. Econ., 27(9), 839–856.
Ammar, M. A. (2013). “LOB and CPM integrated method for scheduling repetitive projects.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 44–50.
Ammar, M. A., and Abdel-Maged, A. F. (2012). “Scheduling of repetitive projects with learning development effect.” 2nd Int. Conf. on Civil Engineering and Building Materials, CRC Press/Balkema, Leiden, Netherlands, 341–346.
Anzanello, M. J., and Fogliatto, F. S. (2011). “Learning curve models and applications: Literature review and research directions.” Int. J. Ind. Ergon., 41(5), 573–583.
Arditi, D., and Albulak, M. Z. (1986). “Line-of-balance scheduling in pavement construction.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 411–424.
Arditi, D., Tokdemir, O. B., and Suh, K. (2001). “Effect of learning on line-of-balance scheduling.” Int. J. Project Manage., 19(5), 265–277.
Badiru, A. B. (1992). “Computational survey of univariate and multivariate learning curve models.” IEEE Trans. Eng. Manage., 39(2), 176–188.
Carr, G. W. (1946). “Peacetime cost estimating requires new learning curves.” Aviation, 54(4), 76–77.
Chrzanowski, E. N., and Johnston, D. W. (1986). “Application of linear scheduling.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 476–491.
Couto, J. P., and Teixeira, J. C. (2005). “Using linear model for learning curve effect on highrise floor construction.” Constr. Manage. Econ., 23(4), 355–364.
Dejong, J. R. (1957). “The effects of increasing skill on cycle time and its consequences for time standards.” Ergonomics, 1(1), 51–60.
Eden, C., Williams, T., and Ackermann, F. (1998). “Dismantling the learning curve: The role of disruptions on the planning of development projects.” Int. J. Project Manage., 16(3), 131–138.
Gates, M., and Scarpa, A. (1972). “Learning and experience curves.” J. Constr. Div., 98(1), 79–101.
Globerson, S., Levin, N., and Shtub, A. (1989). “The impact of breaks on forgetting when performing a repetitive task.” IIE Trans., 21(4), 376–381.
Harmelink, D. J., and Rowings, J. E. (1998). “Linear scheduling model: Development of controlling activity path.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 263–268.
Harris, R. B., and Ioannou, P. G. (1998). “Scheduling projects with repeating activities.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 269–278.
Hurley, W. J. (1996). “When are we going to change the learning curve lecture?” Comput. Oper. Res., 23(5), 509–511.
Jarkas, A. M. (2010). “Critical investigation into the applicability of the learning curve theory to rebar fixing labor productivity.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 1279–1288.
Johnston, D. W. (1981). “Linear scheduling method for highway construction.” J. Constr. Div., 107(2), 247–261.
Lam, K. C., Lee, D., and Hu, T. (2001). “Understanding the effect of the learning-forgetting phenomenon to duration of projects construction.” Int. J. Project Manage., 19(7), 411–420.
Lam, K. C., and Tam, C. M. (1995). “An application of the learning effect to the line of balance method.” Asia Pacific Build. Constr. Manage. J., 1(1), 1–17.
Lee, J. S. (2009). “Delay analysis using learning effect and linear scheduling in construction.” 53rd AACE Int. Annual Meeting, Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering, Morgantown, WV.
Mattila, K. G., and Abraham, D. M. (1998). “Linear scheduling: Past research efforts and future directions.” Eng. Constr. Archit. Manage., 5(3), 294–303.
Nembhard, D. A., and Uzumeri, M. V. (2000). “Individual-based description of learning within an organization.” IEEE Trans. Eng. Manage., 47(3), 370–378.
Pellegrino, R., Costantino, N., Pietroforte, R., and Sancilio, S. (2012). “Construction of multi-story concrete structures in Italy: Patterns of productivity and learning curves.” Constr. Manage. Econ., 30(2), 103–115.
Thomas, H. R. (2009). “Construction learning curves.” Pract. Period. Struct. Des. Constr., 14–20.
Thomas, H. R., Mathews, C. T., and Ward, J. G. (1986). “Learning curve models of construction productivity.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 245–258.
Wang, C. H., and Huang, Y. C. (1998). “Controlling activity interval times in LOB scheduling.” Constr. Manage. Econ., 16(1), 5–16.
Zhang, L. H., and Qi, J. X. (2012). “Controlling path and controlling segment analysis in repetitive scheduling method.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 1341–1345.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 140 • Issue 11 • November 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 22, 2013
Accepted: May 9, 2014
Published online: Jun 27, 2014
Published in print: Nov 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Nov 27, 2014
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.