Construction Planning and Scheduling, Second Edition - Hardcover

Hinze, Jimmie W.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0130928615 ISBN 13: 9780130928610

Publisher: Prentice Hall, 2003

Synopsis

This book provides full coverage of the fundamentals of construction scheduling, presenting a straightforward and comprehensive introduction to all of the aspects and techniques of this field. It begins with a treatise on the fundamentals of scheduling and develops and discusses such topics as: precedence diagrams, activity durations, contract provisions, resource allocation and leveling, money, project monitoring, computer scheduling, earned value, productivity, litigation, short-interval schedules, linear scheduling, and arrow diagrams. Construction Planning and Scheduling serves as an excellent resource for scheduling professionals in construction and related business sectors, as well as construction attorneys.

About this title

From the Back Cover

This straightforward text is unique in that it presents a comprehensive introduction to the techniques of construction scheduling as well as broad coverage on all major scheduling subjects.

Some of the key features include:

• Includes a detailed discussion of contract provisions and their relationship to construction scheduling.
• Presents a discussion of the effects of management decisions intended to benefit production on a construction schedule.
• Presents a treatise on short interval scheduling, also known as "look ahead" schedules, a subject vital to project success.
• Explains the concept of linear scheduling in easily understood and straightforward terms.
• Presents problems intended to be solved manually, but at the same time allows for the use of computer applications to solve these problems.
• Problems have been kept simple to allow students to focus on the key points under discussion.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Many textbooks have been published on the subject of construction scheduling. Many of them provide excellent information on a variety of scheduling subjects. Unfortunately, they are often limited in their scope, often omitting scheduling subjects that might be of particular interest to the reader. This text is written to provide broad coverage on all major scheduling subjects.

My first employment with a construction contractor was a summer job in the 1960s. Although I was given many different assignments, I have vivid memories of the arrow diagram network that I was asked to draw by hand. Of course, I just had a class on the fundamentals of arrow diagramming, so the scheduling assignment was reasonably easy for me. A few years later while working for a different firm, my primary responsibility was scheduling. The scheduling effort was largely focused on the coordination of subcontractors on several different projects for which I used the precedence diagramming method. It was during this period that I developed a strong appreciation for the value of effective scheduling and the use of precedence diagrams.

There are many approaches to providing scheduling information. Some of these are described briefly in Chapter 1. This textbook is written with a major emphasis on precedence diagramming, with only the last chapter addressing arrow diagramming. Although I recognize that most scheduling is done with precedence diagrams, I also feel that an introduction to the subject of arrow diagramming is appropriate. In academic settings, I have found that students can grasp arrow diagramming more easily if they have not already been exposed to precedence diagrams. For this reason, instructors who plan to lecture on arrow diagrams should consider jumping to Chapter 16 after the first two chapters are covered. Chapter 3 explains the fundamentals of precedence diagrams. Regardless of the scheduling technique used, successfully using scheduling information is rooted in beginning with accurate time estimates for activity durations as discussed in Chapter 4.

One scheduling topic seldom addressed in scheduling texts, especially in detail, is that of contract provisions related to scheduling. This text devotes an entire chapter to this subject (Chapter 5). Resource leveling and resource allocation are described in Chapter 6. The impact of scheduling provisions on cash flow is also addressed (Chapter 7). Manual solutions are described for solving problems related to resource utilization and cash flow. Although such problems are often solved by computer, it is helpful for schedulers to understand the process of arriving at a solution in order to fully comprehend computer solutions.

Schedules are management tools and, as such, they should be used. It is through the proper use of schedules that management is able to make informed decisions about scheduling activities. This use includes updating the schedules when the schedule information ceases to be useful for making informed decisions. This process is described in Chapter 8.

Chapter 9 addresses computer applications. This chapter is not a user's manual, nor is it a proponent for any particular scheduling software. The more widely used software programs are described to some extent, but this is not to be construed as an endorsement of any particular product. The purpose of the chapter is to familiarize the reader with some of the basic scheduling concepts that are addressed by computer software.

Chapter 10 describes earned value concepts. Project schedules are generally adversely impacted by changes in the project. Chapter 11 provides information for quantifying such impacts. Such information is often required when a claim is prepared. Chapter 12 presents a brief discussion of the value of schedules in litigation.

Short-interval schedules are addressed in Chapter 13. This treatise is far more extensive than any known writings or papers on the subject. The use of short-interval schedules is vital to the successful completion of many construction projects. Although concepts of their use and application are simple, the subject warrants a discussion in any serious text on scheduling.

Linear scheduling (discussed in Chapter 14) is a relatively new scheduling technique used in the construction industry. Linear scheduling is a viable method on a variety of projects that would otherwise be difficult to schedule. Schedulers should consider the use of linear scheduling on projects that lend themselves to this technique. The use of probabilistic duration estimates is described in Chapter 15. Although the use of PERT is perhaps minimal in the construction industry, the basic concepts should be understood.

It is perhaps rare for a text to be written entirely by one person. I certainly can make no such claim. Others have provided valuable assistance in helping me compile all of the information for this text. Dr. Ian Flood also offered valuable comments as the initial text was being finalized. The efforts of Bruce Jamieson were instrumental in compiling the information on short-interval scheduling, and Rory McCarty contributed to the chapter on litigation. A considerable amount of the material on linear scheduling was developed by Greg Hanby, Phil Nelson, Brendan Kennedy, and H. C. Phillips. Dr. Robert Shawcroft contributed significantly by providing me with some scheduling class notes that eventually became part of this text. Most of all, I must thank my good friend John Gambatese, who served as my mentor as the second edition evolved. He reviewed the manuscript for grammatical correctness and made many suggestions for changes and improvements in the second edition. This version of the text is a true credit to him. Of course, as in the first edition, Chapter 9 is wholly his contribution.

Finally, I would like to thank the reviewers of this edition for their helpful comments and suggestions: Zohar Herbsrnan, University of Florida; Charles R. Glagola, University of Florida; David Leo Lickteig, Georgia Southern University; H. Rocky Gerber, University of Washington; and Ahmad Hadavi, Northwestern University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0130928615
• ISBN 13: 9780130928610
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 384