HierGen: A computer tool for the generation of activity-on-the-node hierarchical project networks

Abstract

Hierarchical project networks are commonly found in many real life environments. Furthermore, currently there is a significant trend towards adopting a hierarchical approach in planning and scheduling techniques. However, no generator currently exists that automates the generation of hierarchical networks to facilitate the simulation of these environments and the testing of these techniques. The network generator presented in this paper is specifically aimed at fulfilling this need. HierGen generates, stores in a database and graphically represents Activity-on-the-Node (AoN) hierarchical networks with the desired number (or with a number drawn from the desired statistical distribution) of both aggregated and detailed activities, as well as the desired number of precedence relations linking them. It can also generate more conventional, non-hierarchical networks; in that case, it can perform a "sequential aggregation", grouping together those activities whose precedences come only from previous aggregated activities. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2004.