Project management: a simulation-based optimization method for dynamic time-cost tradeoff decisions

Author

Radhamés A. Tolentino Pena

Abstract

Project managers face difficult decisions with regard to completing projects on time and within the project budget. A successful project manager not only needs to assure that the project is completed, but also desires to make optimal use of resources and maximize the profitability of the project. The goal of this research is to address the time-cost tradeoff problem associated with selecting from among project activity alternatives under uncertainty. Specifically, activities that make up a project may have several alternatives each with an associated cost and stochastic duration. The final project cost is a result of the time and cost required to complete each activity and lateness penalties that may be assessed if the project is not completed by the specified completion time. In an effort to optimize the project time-cost tradeoff, a dynamic, simulation-based optimization method is presented. In particular, the method minimizes the expected project cost due to lateness penalties and the activity alternatives selected. The method is designed to be implemented in two phases. The first phase, referred to as the static phase, is implemented prior to the start of the project. The static phase results in the expected cost for the recommended project configuration including the alternative selected for each activity and the distributions of the project completion and total project cost. The second phase, referred to as the dynamic phase, is implemented as the project progresses. The dynamic phase allows the project manager to reevaluate the remaining project and activity alternatives to dynamically minimize the expected total project cost. The method provides an optimal solution under the assumptions of traditional crashing implementations and a heuristic solution for the generalized problem. An experimental performance evaluation shows the effectiveness of the method for making project management decisions. Finally, the method is fully implemented in computer software and integrated into a commercially available project management tool.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Project management--Computer simulation; Business logistics

Publication Date

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Industrial and Systems Engineering (KGCOE)

Advisor

Esterman, Marcos

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: T56.8 .T65 2009

Recommended Citation

Tolentino Pena, Radhamés A., "Project management: a simulation-based optimization method for dynamic time-cost tradeoff decisions" (2009). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology. Accessed from
https://repository.rit.edu/theses/6940

Campus

RIT – Main Campus