IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/taf/tprsxx/v55y2017i3p671-683.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Critical chain project buffer sizing based on resource constraints

Author

Listed:
  • Junguang Zhang
  • Xiwei Song
  • Estrella Díaz

Abstract

Project scheduling is a complex process involving many types of resources and activities that require optimisation. The resource-constrained project scheduling problem is one of the well-known problematic issues when project activities have to be scheduled to minimise the project duration. Consequently, several methods have been proposed for adjusting the buffer size but none of these traditional methods consider buffer sizing accuracy based on resource constraints. The purpose of this paper is to develop a buffer sizing method based on a fuzzy resource-constrained project scheduling problem in order to obtain an appropriate proportionality between the activity duration and the buffer size. Specifically, a comprehensive resource-constrained method that considers both the general average resource constraints (GARC) and the highest peak of resource constraints (HPRC) is proposed in order to obtain a new buffer sizing method. This paper contributes to the research by considering several different aspects. First, this paper adopts a fuzzy method to calculate and obtain the threshold amount. Second, this paper discusses the resource levelling problem and proposes the HPRC method. Third, the proposed method uses a fuzzy quantitative model to calculate the resource requirement. The findings indicate that the project achieved higher efficiency, providing effective protection and an appropriate buffer size.

Suggested Citation

  • Junguang Zhang & Xiwei Song & Estrella Díaz, 2017. "Critical chain project buffer sizing based on resource constraints," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(3), pages 671-683, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:tprsxx:v:55:y:2017:i:3:p:671-683
    DOI: 10.1080/00207543.2016.1200151
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/00207543.2016.1200151
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1080/00207543.2016.1200151?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Junguang Zhang & Xiwei Song & Hongyu Chen & Ruixia (Sandy) Shi, 2015. "Optimisation of critical chain sequencing based on activities’ information flow interactions," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(20), pages 6231-6241, October.
    2. Jovanović, Predrag & Kecman, Pavle & Bojović, Nebojša & Mandić, Dragomir, 2017. "Optimal allocation of buffer times to increase train schedule robustness," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 256(1), pages 44-54.
    3. Cui, Nanfang & Demeulemeester, Erik & Bie, Li, 2016. "Incorporation of activity sensitivity measures into buffer management to manage project schedule riskAuthor-Name: Hu, Xuejun," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 249(2), pages 717-727.
    4. Tukel, Oya I. & Rom, Walter O. & Eksioglu, Sandra Duni, 2006. "An investigation of buffer sizing techniques in critical chain scheduling," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 172(2), pages 401-416, July.
    5. Kolb, Oliver & Göttlich, Simone, 2015. "A continuous buffer allocation model using stochastic processes," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 242(3), pages 865-874.
    6. Zhang, Junguang & Song, Xiwei & Díaz, Estrella, 2016. "Project buffer sizing of a critical chain based on comprehensive resource tightness," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 248(1), pages 174-182.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. She, Bingling & Chen, Bo & Hall, Nicholas G., 2021. "Buffer sizing in critical chain project management by network decomposition," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    2. Yan Zhao & Nanfang Cui & Wendi Tian, 2020. "A two-stage approach for the critical chain project rescheduling," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 285(1), pages 67-95, February.
    3. Guofeng Ma & Jianyao Jia & Tiancheng Zhu & Shan Jiang, 2019. "A Critical Design Structure Method for Project Schedule Development under Rework Risks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-20, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Junguang Zhang & Dan Wan, 2021. "Determination of early warning time window for bottleneck resource buffer," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 300(1), pages 289-305, May.
    2. Xuejun Hu & Jianjiang Wang & Kaijun Leng, 2019. "The Interaction Between Critical Chain Sequencing, Buffer Sizing, and Reactive Actions in a CC/BM Framework," Asia-Pacific Journal of Operational Research (APJOR), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 36(03), pages 1-22, June.
    3. Guofeng Ma & Jianyao Jia & Tiancheng Zhu & Shan Jiang, 2019. "A Critical Design Structure Method for Project Schedule Development under Rework Risks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-20, December.
    4. Öncü Hazir & Gündüz Ulusoy, 2020. "A classification and review of approaches and methods for modeling uncertainty in projects," Post-Print hal-02898162, HAL.
    5. Hazır, Öncü & Ulusoy, Gündüz, 2020. "A classification and review of approaches and methods for modeling uncertainty in projects," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    6. Xuejun Hu & Erik Demeulemeester & Nanfang Cui & Jianjiang Wang & Wendi Tian, 2017. "Improved critical chain buffer management framework considering resource costs and schedule stability," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 159-183, June.
    7. She, Bingling & Chen, Bo & Hall, Nicholas G., 2021. "Buffer sizing in critical chain project management by network decomposition," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    8. Mohammadreza Sharifi Ghazvini & Vahidreza Ghezavati & Sadigh Raissi & Ahmad Makui, 2017. "An Integrated Efficiency–Risk Approach in Sustainable Project Control," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-20, September.
    9. Asadabadi, Mehdi Rajabi & Zwikael, Ofer, 2021. "Integrating risk into estimations of project activities' time and cost: A stratified approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 291(2), pages 482-490.
    10. Yan Zhao & Nanfang Cui & Wendi Tian, 2020. "A two-stage approach for the critical chain project rescheduling," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 285(1), pages 67-95, February.
    11. Guofeng Ma & Shan Jiang & Tiancheng Zhu & Jianyao Jia, 2019. "A Novel Method of Developing Construction Projects Schedule under Rework Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-25, October.
    12. Zhang, Junguang & Song, Xiwei & Díaz, Estrella, 2016. "Project buffer sizing of a critical chain based on comprehensive resource tightness," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 248(1), pages 174-182.
    13. Cui, Nanfang & Demeulemeester, Erik & Bie, Li, 2016. "Incorporation of activity sensitivity measures into buffer management to manage project schedule riskAuthor-Name: Hu, Xuejun," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 249(2), pages 717-727.
    14. M. Shakibayifar & A. Sheikholeslami & F. Corman & E. Hassannayebi, 2020. "An integrated rescheduling model for minimizing train delays in the case of line blockage," Operational Research, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 59-87, March.
    15. Janusz Kulejewski & Nabi Ibadov & Jerzy Rosłon & Jacek Zawistowski, 2021. "Cash Flow Optimization for Renewable Energy Construction Projects with a New Approach to Critical Chain Scheduling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-15, September.
    16. Tao, Liangyan & Wu, Desheng & Liu, Sifeng & Lambert, James H., 2017. "Schedule risk analysis for new-product development: The GERT method extended by a characteristic function," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 464-473.
    17. Mengqi Zhao & Xiaoling Wang & Jia Yu & Lei Bi & Yao Xiao & Jun Zhang, 2020. "Optimization of Construction Duration and Schedule Robustness Based on Hybrid Grey Wolf Optimizer with Sine Cosine Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, January.
    18. Högdahl, Johan & Bohlin, Markus & Fröidh, Oskar, 2019. "A combined simulation-optimization approach for minimizing travel time and delays in railway timetables," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 192-212.
    19. Zhang, Jingwen & Elmaghraby, Salah E., 2014. "The relevance of the “alphorn of uncertainty” to the financial management of projects under uncertainty," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 238(1), pages 65-76.
    20. Dorota Kuchta, 2010. "Generalization of the critical chain method supporting the management of projects with a high degree of uncertainty and imperfect information," Operations Research and Decisions, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Management, vol. 20(2), pages 77-90.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:taf:tprsxx:v:55:y:2017:i:3:p:671-683. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Chris Longhurst (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.tandfonline.com/TPRS20 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.