Construction Cash Flow Management System

Cost estimate and durations for construction work packages are input by a user-oriented language. The program assembles the activities into a network and computes the monthly cash flow requirements. Different escalation rates may be given for each work package, and simple or compound interest on funds during construction may be used. Activities affected by weather conditions are automatically lengthened if they fall in the winter. Estimates of the uncertainty in costs and durations may be input, and the program calculates the resulting uncertainty in the project milestone completion dates and the cash flow projections. If limitations on the total cash flow in any period are imposed, the program automatically reschedules the project to meet the restrictions with the least delay in completion date. Application of the program to a coal-fired power plant is illustrated, and the effects of various cash flow limitations on project duration, interest, escalation, and total cost are compared.