Rework impacts evaluation through system dynamics approach in overlapped product development schedule

Abstract

This work aims to explore a novel framework to analyze the planning concepts in product development projects employing techniques to reduce the lead-time of activities, such as overlapping of a pair of each. With the System Dynamics methodology, a model to evaluate the rework fraction, needed to accommodate the deviations proportional to the overlapping grade of the activities, is developed. A numerical example is provided to demonstrate the validity of the model. Although problems encountered during the project management are dynamic, they have been treated on a static basis, what has as result, chronic schedules delays, overruns and cost overspent persist in follow the managers' (re)actions. In this work, we have addressed this known problem by introducing and reviewing some characteristics of the concept of rework in overlapped schedules. This consists in observe and capture the relations feedbacks among the original planned project schedule, the overlapping strategy and the inherent uncertainty in a work being done with poor information. To realize this concept, we have faced with many behaviors patterns (e.g. rework, new duration, non-conformity), and analyze the output behavior pattern, produced by the proposed model. © Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Facultad de Economía y Negocios.