CPM Networks in mass housing projects

May I suggest the following strategy if all buildings are similar:

1. Create the schedule for your basic building. Do not create soft links to control resource leveling, let the software do the work, if latter you are in trouble you might need to un-level the schedule and the soft dependencies will not let you do so.

2. Limit "soft dependencies to a single activity at the beginning of each building. Label each soft link as such in your links table so if in a future you are in need to remove them you can identify them easily.

3. Use wbs/phase prioritization as well as activity prioritization so that the resource leveling follows your priorities when activities are competing for the same resources.

The following simplified example can help you follow the suggested methodology. As you will notice because I am scheduling 2 stories buildings some activities such as cement plaster can happen at the same time on different floors. Prioritization will create order when resource leveling. In two stories buildings I would be tempted to switch priorities and start on second level with cement plaster before first level, is up to your needs.

I would avoid use of soft logic in between floors. Once a floor is ready for a given sequence of activities be scheduled independently of what is going on at other floors then let it be, resource leveling will take care of any resource traffic jam.

Thanks a lot rafael.

Is there any different view from all the experts over there who have worked on similar projects.

Hi Pravu,

I think the main task you have in hand is how to optimise the use of your resources given the contract limitations and key dates in your contract.

Do one complete schedule for a typical buliding as Rafael said and then find the best way to optimise your resources, you also need to look at the access and geodetic implications when doing excavation works.

Cheers Mate!