A framework of critical resource chain for project schedule analysis

Abstract

Analysing a schedule is beneficial to help stakeholders understand the scheduled project. Project schedules, which create time plans based on the critical path method (CPM) or on resource-constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) optimization, are targets herein. The Theory of Constraints (TOC) treats a schedule as a system. Schedule elements are suspected constraints and a goal depends on the schedule creation policy. Resource information is further surveyed herein to identify true constraints. A framework is proposed to integrate identified constraints on a schedule, and the critical resource chain concept is introduced. Three scenarios illustrate the proposed framework under different scheduling considerations. Results explain schedule constraints, and several schedule analysis issues are discussed. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.