CPM schedule summarizing function of the beeline diagramming method

Abstract

The schedule hierarchy in a construction project generally has multiple levels. The highest level is a milestone schedule, and is represented in bar chart format. The middle level is an integrated project schedule, and is represented in the Critical Path Method (CPM) format. The lowest level is a detailed working schedule, and is usually represented by a bar chart. Traditional scheduling techniques, such as the Arrow Diagramming Method, or the Precedence Diagramming Method, cannot represent all the schedules within a schedule hierarchy in identical formats. However, the Beeline Diagramming Method (BDM) technique can represent all kinds of schedule, within a schedule hierarchy, in CPM format. I describe the basic concepts, principles, interpretation methods, and schedule computation methods of the BDM as a new networking technique that can represent all kinds of overlapping relationships between activities. I then present an example of representing all levels of schedules within a schedule hierarchy, using the BDM technique, as well as BDM networks of levels 2, 3, and 4, in a real construction project.