Evaluation of the Resource-Constrained Critical Path Method Algorithms

• Published in: Journal of construction engineering and management Vol. 131; no. 5; pp. 522 - 532
• Main Authors: Kim, Kyunghwan, de la Garza, Jesús M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Reston, VA American Society of Civil Engineers 01.05.2005
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Exact sciences and technology; Project management. Process of design; TECHNICAL PAPERS; Project management; Resource allocation; Scheduling; Critical path method; Algorithm; Construction management; Comparative study; Construction industry
• ISSN: 0733-9364; 1943-7862
• DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2005)131:5(522)

This study evaluates the resource-constrained critical path method (RCPM), which the writers have recently proposed. RCPM establishes a critical path method (CPM)-like, resource-constrained schedule by resource-dependent activity relationships (or resource links) that the five-step RCPM technique identifies. With its CPM-like feature, RCPM provides the critical path and float data that are not available in traditional resource-constrained scheduling techniques. In addition, RCPM provides more flexibility to the schedule through identified alternative schedules, which allow certain activities to be executed beyond their late finish times without delaying the project completion. This paper evaluates the RCPM’s performance by comparing it with five related previous studies. A brief review of each study is also included in this paper. This comparison shows that RCPM performs well in identifying resource links and alternative schedules, compared to other methods. This study is of interest to academics because it highlights the advantages and disadvantages of different algorithms that have attempted to overcome present problems in traditional resource-constrained scheduling techniques.