Critical Chain Project Management: A new approach for time buffer sizing

Abstract

This paper presents experimental results obtained from a comparative study to establish the impact of several common time buffers sizing methods, used in Critical Chain Project Management scheduling. A new approach for buffer sizing was developed and its performance was compared with current methods. The method uses current software applications. Simulation tests revealed that it provided better project planning and shorter project durations without overrun due dates. The real applicability of the method was tested in a case study in the Portuguese construction industry.