Review of "Boosting Construction Project Timeline: The Case of Critical Chain

Project Management (CCPM)"

Introduction

The article "Boosting Construction Project Timeline: The Case of Critical Chain Project
Management (CCPM)" by Livia Anastasiu, Cristina Câmpian, and Nicoleta Roman explores
the application of CCPM in improving time management in construction projects. The study
specifically assesses the impact of CCPM on the timeline of finishing works in construction.

Key Principles of CCPM

 Focus on Constraints: CCPM, derived from the Theory of Constraints, emphasizes

managing resource constraints and minimizing task durations.
 Buffer Management: Implementation involves creating project buffers to absorb
delays and protect the project's critical chain from disruptions.
 Reduction of Task Duration: Task durations are halved, with the second half serving
as a buffer to mitigate risks.

By implementing CCPM in construction project, tasks duration will be cut in

half . and the float (reserve) will be placed at the end of the schedule as a buffer to
protect the schedule against delays in performing the tasks with reduced duration and
also to aggregate time savings if it can be implemented

Research Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a method for improving the timeline of a construction
project by applying CCPM with a comparison made between a traditional schedule (CPM)
and CCPM for the execution of three blocks of flats (residential)

The results indicate that using CCPM can result in about 20% time savings in the schedule. It
is important to note that the time savings may vary for different task
Methodology

The study conducted an experimental application of CCPM in the execution phase of

finishing works (drywalls, carpentry, painting) in three identical blocks of flats. The project
initially planned with CPM for the planning phase was re-scheduled using CCPM for the
execution phase. The tasks were monitored regularly, and buffer usage was tracked to assess
the timeline.

Time is a critical constraint in a construction and calculating the total duration involves
computing the duration of each activity in the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and
determining the critical path

CCPM is a scheduling method suitable for various manufacturing and service sector. Studies
have shown that CCPM can result in time savings up to 39% to 70% success rate in
delivering projects within the planned timeline and an over 50% increase in throughput.

The aim of this study is to highlight the time savings of the project by using CCPM method
for executing the finishin activities in three identical blocks. Unlike CPM. Which focuses
solely on the duration of the critical tasks. CCPM takes into consideration the structure and
composition of the norm

Data Collection

Experimental study of CCPM on a construction project. The Project involved implementing

CCPM for scheduling the finishes of three identical blocks each with four level.

To expedite the project execution, the work front was divided into two sectors with
each sector assigned a specialized team to carry out the activites.. The first team worked on
the even floors (ground floor GF, second floor F2 while the second team worked on odd floor
such as in Figure 2. The works were planned with CPM. And the execution was performed
using CCPM.

This approach aimed to optimize the project timeline by leveraging the benefits of CCPM,
such as reducing multitasking and improving resource allocation in the context of civil
engineering construction project.
Regulations for the construction projects have recommended resource requirement, including
materials, workforce and technology. The duration of a task was calculated using the
formula .

Where :

- Q = Represented the quantity of work from the quantity take off

- TN was the team Norm. which was measured in house and was based on the Norm
Indicators for a specific process
- Q x TN represented the total amont of work to be performed by a specialized team for
a particular task
- The number of daily hours was assumed to be 8h per working day
- The number of workers was the recommended number of workers in a specialized
team

The team norm consisted of two parts :

 Productive activity was effective time spent on performing the task

 Non productive activity which included preparation time, personal need,
dependencies on predecessor task, adverse weather condition on site and other factor

The norm served as an average duration for completing a task considering both productive
and non productive activities

It is important to state that the norms are utilized to estimate the duration of all activities in
the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Estimation is a crucial step in the planning phase of
the project. Often employed during a bidding process to secure contract.Since these estimates
are made well in advance of the project start date, planners tend to take the worst scenario
with inflated duration based on the norms

Results

 Time Savings: The project timeline was significantly reduced. Using CCPM, the
project was completed in 151 days compared to the 187 days planned using CPM,
resulting in a 20% reduction in the project duration.
 Buffer Utilization: The study tracked buffer usage, with 53 days utilized from the
allocated 89 days, highlighting effective buffer management.
 Practical Impact: The successful implementation demonstrated the practical benefits
of CCPM in construction projects, particularly in managing and optimizing project
schedules.

Discussion
  Challenges in Construction: The article highlights various challenges in
construction, such as delays, poor planning, and resistance to adopting innovative
methodologies.
 Benefits of CCPM: CCPM was found to be effective in reducing project durations,
improving resource utilization, and enhancing overall project management practices.
 Resistance to Change: Despite its benefits, there is significant resistance within the
construction industry to adopting new methodologies like CCPM. The study
emphasizes the need for continuous collaboration between researchers and
practitioners to overcome these barriers.

Limitations

 Scope of Study: The study was limited to finishing works and may not fully represent
the broader applicability of CCPM in other types of construction activities.
 Single Case Study: Being based on a single case study, the findings might not be
generalizable to all construction projects. Further research across multiple projects
and contexts is needed.

Conclusion

The article concludes that CCPM offers substantial benefits for improving project timelines
in the construction industry. It calls for a shift in mindset and greater acceptance of modern
project management methodologies to enhance efficiency and project outcomes.

Author Contributions

 Conceptualization and formal analysis by L.A. and C.C.

 Original draft preparation by L.A., C.C., and N.R.

References

The study is well-supported by references to recent literature and empirical data, providing a
robust foundation for its conclusions.

Overall Review

The article effectively demonstrates the advantages of implementing CCPM in construction

projects through a detailed experimental study. The findings are compelling, showing
significant time savings and better project management outcomes. However, the study's
limitations highlight the need for broader research to validate the results across different
construction contexts. The article makes a strong case for adopting CCPM and suggests that
its broader acceptance could lead to substantial improvements in the construction industry's
efficiency and project delivery.