The line-of-balance (LOB) method of scheduling is well suited to projects that are composed of activities of a linear and repetitive nature. The objective of this study is to set down the basic principles that can be used in the development of a computerized LOB scheduling system that overcomes the problems associated with existing systems and creates solutions to problems encountered in the implementation of repetitive-unit construction. The challenges associated with LOB scheduling include developing an algorithm that handles project acceleration efficiently and accurately, recognizing time and space dependencies, calculating LOB quantities, dealing with resource and milestone constraints, incorporating the occasional nonlinear and discrete activities, defining a radically new concept of criticalness, including the effect of the learning curve, developing an optimal strategy to reduce project duration by increasing the rate of production of selected activities, performing cost optimization, and improving the visual presentation of LOB diagrams.

Challenges in line-of-balance scheduling

Research Question: The Last Planner System (LPS) and Location-Based Management System (LBMS) both aim to achieve the lean goals of decreasing waste, increasing productivity and decreasing variability. Q1: How to best link these two systems together to achieve better project performance? Q2: can the LBMS control mechanisms be integrated with LPS? Q3: Can phase pull scheduling be integrated with LBMS? Purpose: The purpose of this research is to develop a process and best practices to combine the benefits of LPS and LBMS. Research Method: Skanska Finland has used LPS and LBMS together. Because the planning and controlling methods in different industries can vary, a series of workshops was conducted at a hospital project on the US West Coast, and three other US companies were interviewed, to discover the factors specific to industries where activity-based scheduling systems dominate. These three sources of information were combined to the latest case study results on the stand-alone use of LBMS and LPS. Findings: The paper proposes processes to integrate LPS and LBMS in pre-bid master scheduling, pull phase scheduling, look-ahead scheduling, and weekly planning. Limitations: The proposed processes need to be tested in practice. Implications: The hypotheses for future research are that after implementing the proposed process, H1: schedule conformance will improve, H2: project durations will shrink, H3: productivity will increase, and H4: cascading delay chains will show a decrease. Value for practitioners: General Contractors or Construction Managers can begin to use the proposed processes in order to decrease durations and increase productivity.

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The Combination of Last Planner System and Location-Based Management System

A lean model has been proposed for the construction management of high-rise apartment buildings with customized apartment designs. It incorporates a number of changes to traditional management practice, including single-piece flow with pull scheduling, work restructuring, and multiskilling. A simulated construction process scenario was devised for experimental evaluation of the model. The simulation was first implemented as a live management game, in which participants played the roles of the clients, general contractor, and subcontractors. Eleven runs with different teams indicated that the lean model increased throughput, improved cash flow, and reduced apartment delivery cycle time. However, the limitations of the live simulation led the writers to implement a discrete event computer simulation of the same process. The computer simulation reinforced the findings of the live simulation and emphasized the specific beneficial effect of single-piece flow under pull scheduling. The lean model may be of immediate interest to construction planners and managers because it enables full customization with minimal waste and no additional resources. The demonstrative clarity of the lean model simulation, both live and computerized, makes it a powerful tool for education and research.

LEAPCON: Simulation of Lean Construction of High-Rise Apartment Buildings

A project control system aims to minimize the gap between project planning and project execution in order to achieve project aims, i.e., cost, time, and content. This paper reviews the current lite...

Project Control: Literature Review:

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00163424/document

Formalisation and use of competencies for industrial performance optimisation: A survey

Effect of learning on line-of-balance scheduling

Although line‐of‐balance (LOB) scheduling can be superior to bar charts and networks in repetitive‐unit construction, there are indications that its use is not widespread. In this study, the major limitations of the existing LOB methodology are identified and then eliminated by developing a computer program called repetitive unit scheduling system (RUSS). An effective algorithm that facilitates the implementation of LOB scheduling is developed. A tool that handles logical and strategic limitations caused by the particular characteristics of repetitive activities is provided. A learning model is developed and incorporated into LOB calculations. The program is designed to optimize resource allocation by using multiples of the natural rhythm of activities. An optimum crew size that guarantees maximum productivity in an activity is used throughout the LOB calculations to achieve cost‐optimized schedules. Non‐linear and discrete activities are incorporated into the LOB calculations. RUSS displays the LOB diagr...

Kangsuk Suh

Papers

Challenges in line-of-balance scheduling

Effect of learning on line-of-balance scheduling

Scheduling system for repetitive unit construction using line-of-balance technology