Location Based Scheduling

Dr. Mohsin Khalid Siddiqui

King Fahd University of Petroleum
and Minerals
Presentation Outline

zIntroduction
zImportance of Locations in Scheduling
zLimitations of Existing Tools
zFundamentals of Flowline Methodology
zModeling Location based constraints
zSchedule Optimization in Flowline View
zSchedule Risk Analysis
zResponse to schedule updates/changes
Introduction

zDifferent Scheduling Tools

{Bar Charts
{CPM Networks
{PERT
{GERT
{Line of Balance
zStrength of Bar Charts
{Visual Representation
Activity Vs. Location Based

zActivity Based Schedules

{Deterministic
{Probabilistic
zLocation Based Schedules
{Unit Production
{Location Production

Kenley and Seppanen (2009)

Line of Balance Schedules

Units
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Siddiqui (2008)
Time
Example
Importance of Locations

zIs it a conflict if two tasks are being carried

out at the same time?
{Only if they are in the same location
zLocation modeling for
{Safety
{Efficient utilization of resources
{Separation of Trades
{Schedule Optimization
Limitations of Existing Tools

zModeling of Locations
{Work Breakdown Structure – WBS
{Location Constraints
zConfusing Schedule Logic
zCopy Paste Blocks of Schedule
zAny adjustment requires considerable
manipulation
zIdentify problems in a certain location?
{Filters
Flowline Methodology

zPrimarily targeted towards Building

Construction
zCompatible with Building Information
Modeling (BIM)
zModel Based Scheduling
{Quantities
{Locations
{Recipes
Flowline - Fundamentals

zLocation Based
zTask vs. Activity
zComputation of Durations
{Quantities
{Productivity
zConsumption Factor
zResource Production Factor
zLocation Production Factor
zDuration = Qty. x CR x Pf Res x Pf Loc.
Flowline View
Locations

Duration

Time
Task Continuity
Task Continuity - Single Click Changes
Schedule Optimization
Take these three tasks…

Duration A

Courtesy: Vico Software

 and represent them in the 
flowline view

Duration A

Courtesy: Vico Software

 We can see that the 
project duration is easily 
compressed through the 
optimisation of the task’s 
production rates

Duration B

Courtesy: Vico Software

 We can see that the 
project duration is easily 
compressed through the 
optimisation of the task’s 
production rates
…without increasing risk
After

Duration B ‐10% (ave.)

Duration A

Courtesy: Vico Software

Schedule Optimization

Courtesy: Vico Software

Schedule Optimization

Courtesy: Vico Software

Schedule Logic

zCPM Logic
zLayered Location Logic
zDependencies
{Within the Task itself
{Between Two Tasks
zAt one location
zAt All Locations
{Location Lag
zSeparation of two tasks by a number of locations
Within the task Dependencies –
Continuous Task
Within the task Dependencies
Within the task Dependencies
Dependencies Between Tasks
Single Location
Dependencies Between Tasks
All Locations
Dependencies Between Tasks
All Locations – Without Task Continuity
Dependencies Between Tasks
Single Location – Without Continuity
Summary of Task Dependencies

zInternal Dependencies
{Completion Order
zBetween Tasks Dependencies
{FF
{FS
{SS
{SF
zLeads and Lags
zBuffers
Difference between LOB & Flowline
Difference between LOB & Flowline
Difference between LOB & Flowline
Task Continuity
Duration Compression
SubTasks – Parallel Execution
Duration Compression -
Other Choices

Add more crews

Increase Consumption Ratio
Modify Production Factor
Schedule Risk Analysis

z Risk Levels
{Schedule Start (Task Pre-Requisites)
{Task Duration (Accuracy of Quantities)
{Beginning Risk (Crew starting on time)
{Come Back Delay (Crew coming back on time)
{Production Factor Risks
z Resource (Skill Level of Crew)
z Location (Location based Difficulties)
z Monte Carlo Simulations
z Buffers
Montecarlo Simulation

Generated Using Vico Control 2009 ®

Generated Using Vico Control 2009 ®
Response to Changes / Updates

Generated Using Vico Control 2009 ® Courtesy: Vico Software

Sample Project
Generated Using Vico Control 2009 ®
Conclusions

zFlowline Based Method is a powerful Tool

{Primarily used for Buildings
zConsider following cases
{Deployment of new IT tools across various
locations in a company
{Setting up 50 drilling sites for a large O&G
Project
zIf you use copy-paste of blocks of
activities, this scheduling tool is for you
Limitations

zApproach integrated with one Software

Package
{Allows for interoperability
zPrimarily targeted towards Building
Projects
{Terminology Issues
zLearning Curve
{Gantt Chart vs. Flowline View
Questions

zContact Information

{Dr. Mohsin Khalid Siddiqui

{mohsin@kfupm.edu.sa