Cairo University Faculty of Engineering

Civil Engineering Department

Project Resources Management

By
Dr. Hesham Elbakry
Ph.D. Construction Projects Management
Consultant in Construction Projects Management

Content
1. Introduction
2. Resource Management
2.1 Resource Definition
2.2 Resource Allocation/Loading
2.3 Resource Aggregation
2.4 Resource leveling (Smoothing)/Scheduling
2.4.1 Method of Moment for Resource Leveling
2.4.2 Heuristic Procedure for Resource Leveling
2.4.3 Leveling Combined Resources
2.4.4 Scheduling Limited Resources
2.5 LOB as a Resource Oriented Scheduling Technique
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Content (Continue)
3. Cash Flow Management
4. Management of Construction Personnel
5. Material Management
6. Equipment Management
7. Sub-Contractor Management

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

1. Introduction

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Relationships

Activities

Analysis of
Scheduling
by CPM

Durations

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

CPM Algorithm

Assumption of
resources availability

But

Duration-driven
analysis

Not all required

resources are available
Thus
Impractical Schedule
Management of available resources is required
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

2.1 Resource Definition

Things needed to have the work done
Non-Consumable

Consumable
Key Res.

(Expensive,
not available)
(Skilled Labour,
Special Equip.)

Secondary Res.
(Available)
(Normal labour
or Equip.)

General Res.
(Used by most
of the
Activities)
(Site Facilities)

Apply Resource Management

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Material
Material
Labour
Labour

etc
etc
Resources
Resources

Space
Space
Sub
Sub

Contractors
Contractors
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Equipment
Equipment

Cash
Cash
8

2.2 Resource Allocation/Loading

Assigning the resources (with its no.) that
required to execute each activity

More than one type of resources may be

assigned to a specific activity

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

2.3 Resource Aggregation

Summation of allocated resources
used by all activities on
period-by-period basis

Individual aggregation of each type

of used resources

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

10

Resource Aggregation/Chart
week
Activity
A
B
C
Total Res.
require

10

5
8

8
7

8
7

8
7

8
7

15

15

15

15

13

15

Resource
Aggregation 10
5
Chart
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

11

Resource Units

Resource Aggregation Chart (ES&LS&CP)

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1

10

11

Week

Resource Aggregation/Earliest Starts

Resource Aggregation/Latest Starts

Resource Aggregation of Critical Path Activities

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

12

2.4 Resource Leveling/Scheduling

Time & Resource Constrained Projects
Time
Constrained

Resource
Constrained

Resource
Management

Resource leveling is applied to

Resource scheduling is applied to
smooth resource fluctuation
prioritize and allocate the use
along with the constrained
of the available constrained
project duration
no. of resources
Dr. Hesham Elbakry
13

Resource
Resource
Limit

Project
Resource/Time
Relationship

Time
T
Resource Constrained Project

Time Constrained Project

Resource Leveling
Resource

Resource Scheduling
Resource

R1

R2

T1= T

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

R1< R

T1

T2 > T
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

T2

R2< R1
14

2.4.1 Method of Moment for Res. Leveling

Minimum Moment Algorithm

As a heuristic approach to calculate
a measure of the fluctuation in
daily resource demand
Evaluate resource histograms alternatives

Resource Amount

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

15

Histogram 1 : Mx = 83
Histogram 2 : Mx = 80

6
Histogram 1

Mx2 < Mx1

Thus
Hisogram 2 is better
than histogram 1

4
3 Histogram 2
2
1
n

Mx =
j =1

Mx = 21

10

11

12

Days

[(1 Resource Demandj )Resource demandj/2]

n

(Resource Demandj )2

j =1

Where: n = working-day number of project finish date

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

16

2.4.2 Heuristic Procedure for Res. Leveling

To select which
activity/ies
activity/
ies

To enhance
Res. fluctuation

Methodology
To be moved
forward

Through
its floats
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

17

Example 2.1
The activities involved in the construction of a
certain project are given in the following table,
Assuming that one resource type will be used
during the contract,
Determine the minimum level of this resource
required to complete the project?
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

18

Activity

Duration

Predecessors

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N

0
2
5
3
2
6
6
6
4
2
7
3
2
2

-A
A
A
B
B
C
D
D
E, F
F, G
B, H
B, H, I
J, K, L, M

Resource
(units/week)
0
0
2
2
1
2
3
1
0
4
2
2
4
0

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

19

Solution / Steps
1. Prepare a complete activity schedule
ID
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

ES
0
0
0
0
2
2
5
3
3
8
11
9
9
18

EF
0
2
5
3
4
8
11
9
7
10
18
12
11
20

FF
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
2
8
0
6
7
0

TF
0
3
0
6
12
3
0
6
9
8
0
6
7
0 20

10

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C
G
K
N

2. Draw the project

bar chart
based upon ES

D
E
F
H
I

Show critical
activities first

J
L
M

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

10

11

21

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0
B, 0
D, 2

3. Allocate Resource

E, 1
F, 2

4. Aggregate Resource

H, 1
I, 0
J, 4

L, 2
M, 4

13

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

0
22

11

C,2

10

11

12

13

14

G, 3

15

16

17

18

K, 2

B, 0

19

20

N, 0

5. Get Total Res. Usage

&
Average Res. Usage

D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4

L, 2
M, 4

13

Total Res. Usage= Unit Period Usage = 90 Unit

Average Res. Usage=Total Res. Usage/Utilized period

= 90/18 = 5 Res. Units/period

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

10

11

23

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

6. Assign TF (dashed
line beside lower side)

B, 0
D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4

L, 2
M, 4

13

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

0
24

12

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

B, 0

7. Assign FF (dashed
line beside upper side)

D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4

L, 2
M, 4

13

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

25

Units
14

8. Resource usage
histogram
could be obtained

13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Time
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

26

13

C,2

10

11

12

13

14

G, 3

15

16

17

18

19

20

K, 2
N, 0

B, 0

9. Define max
Res. demand

D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

Units
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

13

Average Res. usage =

5 units/period
1

9Dr. Hesham
10 11
12
Elbakry

10

11

13

12

14

13

15

14

16

15

17

16

18

17

19 20
27
Time

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

B, 0

10. Prioritize moving

activities (Considering

D, 2
E, 1

less successors & no. of

Res. usage & max FF & TF)

F, 2
H, 1
I, 0

J, 4
L, 2
M, 4
4

13

Move M (7 weeks)
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

28

14

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

B, 0

11. Re-aggregate
Res. usage

D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

13

-4

-4

+4 +4
6

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

29

12. Revise
FF & TF
Same FF

Same FF

16

New FF = 9

18

Moved (7 weeks)
New ES = 16

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

30

15

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

B, 0

13. Repeat step

no. 10
Thus

D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0

J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

Move J (6 weeks)
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

10

11

31

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

B, 0

14. Repeat steps

no. 11 & 12

D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

-4

-4

+4 +4

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

2
6

32

16

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

B, 0

15. Repeat step

no. 10
Thus

D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4

L, 2
M, 4

Move L (2 weeks)
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

10

11

33

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

B, 0

16. Repeat steps

no. 11 & 12

D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

4
4

4
4

7
7

6
6

5
5

6
6

6
6

6
6

4
4

-2

-2

4
4

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

+2 +2
4

34

17

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

B, 0

17. Repeat steps

no. 9 & 10
Thus

D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

Move E (10 weeks)

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

10

11

35

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

18. Repeat
steps
no. 11 & 12

B, 0
D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

4
4

4
4

-1

-1

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

+1 +1
5

36

18

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

19. Repeat steps

no. 9 & 10
Thus

B, 0
D, 2
E, 1

F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

Move H (2 weeks)
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

10

11

37

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

B, 0

20. Repeat
steps
no. 11 & 12

D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

-1

-1

+1

+1

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

38

19

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

21. Repeat steps

no. 9 & 10
Thus

B, 0
D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

Move F (1 weeks)
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

10

11

39

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

22. Repeat
steps
no. 11 & 12

B, 0
D, 2
E, 1

F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

-2
4

+2
4

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

40

20

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0

B, 0
D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

Final Resource Usage / Periods

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

3
C,2

1
1

10

41

12

13

14

G, 3

15

16

17

18

19

K, 2

20

N, 0

B, 0
D, 2
E, 1
F, 2
H, 1
I, 0
J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

Units 4
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1

Average Res. usage =

5 units/period

10

11

12

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

13

14

15

16

17

18

19 20
Time42

21

2.4.3 Leveling Combined Resources

Smooth each
Resource individually

Smooth combination
of Resources

Optimum Resource
leveling could
be expected only for
last smoothed Res.

Approximate leveling
could be achieved
for all Resources
(more effective)
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

43

Example 2.2
Consider Example 2.1,
Assuming that the activities involved in that project
are using another resource R2 in addition to the
originally introduced resource R1.
If the usage of R2 is as in the following table,
Smooth the demand of resources
R1 and R2 simultaneously.
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

44

22

Activity
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N

Duration
(week)
0
2
5
3
2
6
6
6
4
2
7
3
2
2

Resource R1
(units/week)
0
0
2
2
1
2
3
1
0
4
2
2
4
0

Resource R2
(units/week)
0
2
3
0
4
5
2
0
5
5
0
8
3
0

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

45

Solution / Steps
Step no. 1
Construct table of demand of
Equivalent Resource Usage
(ERU) of the two resources
together (by adding the
resource rates of the two
Resources simultaneously).

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

ID
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M

R1
0
2
2
1
2
3
1
0
4
2
2
4

R2 ERU
2
2
3
5
0
2
4
5
5
7
2
5
0
1
5
5
5
9
0
2
8
10
3
7
46

23

2. Prepare a complete activity schedule

1

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

G
K
N

3. Draw the project

bar chart
based upon ES

B
D
E
F
H
I

Show critical
activities first

J
L
M

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

10

11

47

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,2
G, 3
K, 2
N, 0
B, 0
D, 2

4. Allocate Resource R1

E, 1
F, 2

5. Aggregate Resource R1

H, 1
I, 0
J, 4

L, 2
M, 4

13

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

0
48

24

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C,3
G, 2
K, 0
N, 0
B, 2
D, 0

6. Allocate Resource R2

E, 4
F, 5

7. Aggregate Resource R2

H, 0
I, 5
J, 5

L, 8
M, 3

5 12 17 13 12 12 7

18 13 8

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

0
49

Step no. 8
Construct table of Equivalent Resource Usage
(ERU) of the two resources by adding the
histograms of R1 & R2 together.

+
=

R1 4

13 9

R2 5

5 12 17 13 12 12 7

18 13 8

ERU 9 9 19 23 18 18 18 13 15 31 22 12 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

50

25

Step no. 9
- Considering activities demand & Histogram
0f ERU,
- Use same methodology applied for smoothing
single resource (example 2.1) to smooth ERU.

The ERU demand & Histogram will be smoothed

as follows
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

10

11

51

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C, 5
G, 5
K, 2
N, 0

B, 2

Same procedure as
applied for single resource

ERU Demand

D, 2
E, 5
F, 7

ERU Histogram

H, 1
I, 5
J, 9
L, 10
M, 7

19

23

18

18

18

13

15

31

22

12

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

0
52

26

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C, 5
G, 5
K, 2
N, 0

B, 2

Get schedule timing of

final smoothing of ERU

D, 2
E, 5
F, 7
H, 1
I, 5

J, 9
L, 10
M, 7

12

15

11

18

18

13

13

13

12

11

11

12

12

12

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

10

11

53

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C, 2
G,3
K, 2
N, 0

B, 0

R1 Demand

D, 2
E, 1

10. Use final scheduling to

get R1 Smoothed Histogram

F, 2

R1 Smoothed Histogram

H, 1
I, o

J, 4
L, 2
M, 4

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

0
54

27

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

C, 3
G, 2
K, 0
N, 0

B, 2

R2 Demand

D, 0
E, 4

11. Use final scheduling to

get R2 Smoothed Histogram

F, 5

R2 Smoothed Histogram

H, 0
I, 5

J, 5
L, 8
M, 3

12

12

12

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

55

2.4.4 Scheduling Limited Resources

To match
Res. Limitation

Prioritize
activities

Methodology
Through
selected rules

To be moved
forward
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

56

28

Methods of Scheduling Limited Resources

Require
recalculation of
network scheduling

Don t require
recalculation of
network scheduling

Examples

Examples

-Earliest Start Time (EST)

-Least Total Float (LTF)

- Current Float Technique

- Earliest Late Start (ELS)

Will be introduced
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

57

Procedure of Resource Scheduling Using ELS

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

58

29

Example 2.3
The following table illustrate the activities
of a Project, as well as its resources usage
If the resources limits are as introduced by the table
Schedule the project so that:
the daily resource usage matching resources
Limits & minimum project duration extension.
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

59

Activity Duration Predecessor Resource (Units/week)

(Week)
R2 1
R1 8
A
4
3
0
B
6
6
1
C
2
4
0
D
8
A
0
1
E
4
D
4
1
F
10
B
0
1
G
16
B
4
0
H
8
F
2
0
I
6
E, H
4
1
J
6
C
5
1
K
10
G, J
2
0
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

60

30

Solution Steps
Apply Procedure of ELS Method

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

61

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

62

31

Flow Chart of General Resources Management

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

63

2.5 Line Of Balance (LOB)

as a Resource Oriented Scheduling Technique
Technique for
Resource Oriented Scheduling of
Repetitive/Linear projects;
(a) Projects involving several uniform units of work
(such as multiple houses or typical floors in a
building) or
(b) Being geometrically linear (such as highway,
pipeline, and utility projects).
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

64

32

The Objectives/Benefits of the LOB Technique

To determine a balanced mix of resources and
synchronize their work so that they are fully
employed and non-interrupted.
Interesting representation of the schedule, given
large amount of data for the repetitive units.
Scheduling the activities so that a project
deadline is met using predefined resource
availability limits.
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

65

LOB Basic Representation

Graphical Representation of the Activities of
the Repetitive Unites of a Project
Example
Consider a high-rise building of 10 typical floors.
Assuming that the construction of each typical floor
involves 4 inter-related sequential activities; (A, B, C, D).
The Project LOB Representation may be as follows:
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

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33

The graphical representation of LOB will be as follows

Repetitive Units

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

DB

DA

DC

Time

DA

1- The vertical axis represents the repetitive unites (floors)

2- The Horizontal axis represents the time (days, weeks )
3- Each sloping bar represent one of the units activities
4- Each bar width represent the duration of the activity for
one unit of the project repetitive unites (DA, DB,.)
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Repetitive Units

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

Start
4

DA

3 4 5 6 7

End
16

Start
11

67

End
22

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

DB

DC

DA

Time

5- A horizontal line at any unit intersects with the

activity bars at the planned start and finish times
of the work in that unit.
6- A vertical line at any date (time) shows the planned
work that should be completed/started before and
on that date.
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

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34

Repetitive Units

Project End Date

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

DA

3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Activity
Progress
Rate

DB

DC

DA

Time

7- The slope of each activity represents its planned

rate of progress and this is direct function of the
number of crews involved in the activity
8- The finish time of the last unit in the last activity
represents the end date of the project.
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

69

More information could be added/extracted as follows

Crew 1
Crew 3
Crew 2
Crew 1

Repetitive Units

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

DA

Crew 3
Crew 2
Crew 1
Crew 3
Crew 2
Crew 1
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

DB

DC

DA

Time

9- The number of crews employed in each task

could be graphically represented (by a different
pattern for each crew). Thus,
The synchronized movement of the crews from
one unit to the other could be easley checked.
Crew 1 works in unites1,4,7,10 and leaves site on day 12
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

70

35

Crew 1
Crew 3
Crew 2
Crew 1

Repetitive Units

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

DA

Buffer time one day between A & B

B

Crew 3
Crew 2
Crew 1
Crew 3
Crew 2
Crew 1
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

DB

DC

Buffer time one day between C & D

Time

10- A buffer time could be introduced (as a float time) to

prevent interference between the sequential activities in
case an activity is slightly delayed
When a slower activity is to follow a faster activity (e.g., D
follows C), a buffer time is to be added to the start
of first unit of Activity C,
When a faster activity is to follow a slower activity (e.g., B
follows A), a buffer time is to be added at the end of
final unit of Activity A
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

71

11- Activities production rates

Changing the production rate (slope) of any activity
may changes the project duration,
Speeding one activity so that conflict point changes
from bottom to top increases project duration,
A good scheduling strategy is to schedule the activities
as parallel as possible to a desired project delivery.
Effect of accelerating production rate
are indicated by the following diagrams
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

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36

Repetitive Units

Project End at T1 = 27 day

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

Activity

B
Rate 1

Rate 1
1

Repetitive Units

3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Time

Project End at T2 = 30 day

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

Activity
A

B
Rate 2

Rate 2
1

3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Time

T2 > T1

Rate 1 > Rate 2

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

73

LOB Calculations
The LOB formulation involves four main issues as follows:
- Crew synchronization and work continuity equation;
- Computation of a project delivery rate that meets a given
deadline duration;
- Calculating resource needs for critical and non-critical
activities; and
- Drawing the LOB schedule.
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

74

37

Crew Synchronization

Units

4
3
2

C = no. of crews

Crew 3

D = Activity Duration

Crew 2
Crew 1

Time

R = Activity production rate

Then : R = C/D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(1)

For the given case: R = 3/3 = 1 unit/day

To accelerate the production rate, Use 4 crews
Then: Rnew = 4/3 = 1.33 units/day
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

4
Crew 3

Units

R = C/D
Start times shift
D/C

75

Crew 2

2
Crew 1

D/C D/C D/C

R
Time

- Work continuity is achieved by shifting the start of

each unit from its previous one by a time D/C or 1/R.
- Shifting the crew starts enhance the demand of this
crews to other resources.
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

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38

Meeting The Project Deadline Duration

- A basic objective in CPM-LOB calculation is

to meet a given deadline for finishing (n)
repetitive unites.
- By LOB, it is possible to formulate a strategy
for meeting a dead line by calculating the
desired rate of delivery (Rd) for the units as
follows:
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

77

T1= CPM Duration of Unit 1

n-1

2
1

Rd
T1
TL

Rd= (n-1)/(TL T1) . . . . . . . . . (2)

Notes
- The delivery rate (Rd) is the minimum rate
required to meet the project desired deadline

Time

Project
Deadline

TL= Project Deadline Duration

Units

- Any higher rate result in shorter project duration

but also more crew use/cost.
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

78

39

Calculating Resources Needing

- To match the project desired deadline, the

calculated rate of delivery [Rd= (n-1)/(TL T1)]
should be applied to all critical activities.
- On the other hand, for non-critical activities, the
total float should be used to slow the rates of
such activities. Then Rd will be as follows:
Example
The following network is for activities A,B,C and D
to be executed for (n) repetitive units.
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

79

Repetitive Units

(TL ) Project
Deadline
n
B
5
4
3
2
1

Rd

RD
1

3 4 5 6 7

T1

Thus

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

TFD

TL T1

TL T1

Time

(TL T1) +TFD

Ri= (n-1)/[(TL T1) + TFi]. . . . . . . . . (3)

Where (i) is the non critical activity
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

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40

Ri= (n-1)/[(TL T1) + TFi]. . . . . . . . . (3)

Applying equation (1):

Then:

R=C/D

Ri = Ci/Di

The no. of crews Ci Should be rounded to be Cai

Then:

Rai = Cai/Di . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)

Equations 3 & 4 are the basis of LOB calculations

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

81

Example 2.4
The following table illustrates the activities involved
in the construction of 1 Km of a pipeline together
with their estimated durations,
The project consists of 10 similar kilometers and is
targeted to be finished in 40 days.
- Calculate the number of crews needed for each
activity, assume 1 day buffer time between activities
- Draw the LOB schedule.
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

82

41

Activity
no.
A
B
C
D
E
F

Activity
name

Duration
(days)

Preceding
activities

1
3
1
4
1
2

A
A
B, C
D
E

Locate and clear

Excavate
String pipe
Lay pipe
Pressure test
Backfill

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

83

Solution
1. Create CPM calculations for a single unit,
Identify the following:
- Total time of one unit (T1)
- ES of Critical Activities
- ES & TF of non critical activities.

Buffer times 1 day

as required
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

84

42

2. LOB Calculations :
- Project deadline (TL) = 40 day
- Unit time (T1) = 15 day (by CPM)

- From CPM get Activities TF, then get the

desired rate for all activities as follows:
Ri= (n-1)/[(TL T1) + TFi] = 9/[25 + TFi]

- Get the corresponding required no. of crews Ci

for all activities ( Ci = Ri Di )
- Round up Ci : then, use the actual no. of crews
Cai to get the activities actual rates Rai = Cai/Di
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

From CPM

85

From LOB Calculations

Ri =
Cai =
Activity Duration Total
Ci =
Rai =
Float
(i)
(day) (TF ) 9/[25+TF ] R D Round of C C /D
ai
i
i
i
i
i
i
A
B
C
D
E
F

1
3
1
4
1
2

0
0
2
0
0
0

0.360
0.360
0.333
0.360
0.360
0.360

0.360
1.080
0.333
1.440
0.360
0.720

1
2
1
2
1
1

Use Rai and the CPM data to drew the Project

LOB schedule as follows:
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

1
0.667
1
0.5
1
0.5

86

43

9 10 11 12

Repetitive Units

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

15.5

24

18.5

3 4 5 6 7

(i)

Di (TFi)

A
B
C
D
E
F

1
3
1
4
1
2

0
0
2
0
0
0

28 29 30

Rai
1
0.667
1
0.5
1
0.5

40

42

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

Time
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

87

Notes:
LOB as a planning & Scheduling tool is not limited
to repetitive projects with typical units only. It is also
valid for other cases not limited to the following:
1 - Existence of some non-typical units.
2 - Interrupting the crews work continuity.
3 - Execution of some activity work starting not
from the first unit
4 - Applying variable delivery rates for any activity
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

88

44

Repetitive Units

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

Time

Consider LOB calculations in such cases neglecting

un-uniformity then adjust the graphical representation.

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

89

To Be Continue
For further
Resource Management
Dr. Hesham Elbakry

Dr. Hesham Elbakry

90

45