Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Chapter 4 Standard CPM Smoke and Mirror Tricks (Manipulations)

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. A.Constraints a) Date Constraints

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Critical Path - Constraints Constraint – A forced manual override of computed activity timing and/or float. Constraints on activities, modify timing, reduce float and affect real and imagined critical paths. Early Start Constraint: Start no earlier than Early Finish Constraint: Finish no earlier than

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Early Start Constraint Applied Forward Pass Backward Pass ES CON DAY 11

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Early Start Constraint Not Applied Forward Pass Backward Pass ES CON DAY 3 T.L. Martin & Associates, Inc.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Critical Path - Constraints Late Start Constraint: Start no later than Late Finish Constraint: Finish no later than

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Late Finish Constraint Day 10 - Applicable Forward Pass Backward Pass LF CON DAY 10

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Late Finish Constraint Day 15 - Not Applicable LF CON DAY 15 Forward Pass Backward Pass T.L. Martin & Associates, Inc.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Critical Path - Constraints Project Finish On Constraint

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Project Finish On Constraint Day 15 Forward Pass Backward Pass PROJECT COMPLETION T.L. Martin & Associates, Inc.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Critical Path - Constraints Start On Constraint: Sets early and late to same date

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Start On Constraint PROJECT FINISH ON CONSTRAINT Forward Pass Backward Pass T.L. Martin & Associates, Inc. START ON DAY 9 WOULD NOT ENGAGE IF ES IS PAST CONSTRAINT

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Critical Path - Constraints Mandatory Start Constraint: Overrides calculated dates to user imposed dates Mandatory Finish Constraint: Overrides calculated dates to user imposed dates

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Mandatory Start Constraint PROJECT FINISH ON CONSTRAINT Forward Pass Backward Pass VIOLATES NETWORK LOGIC T.L. Martin & Associates, Inc. MANDATORY START

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Critical Path - Constraints Expected Finish Constraint – Revises the calculated early finish date to the imposed date and then computes the activities remaining duration as the difference between the calculated early start and the expected finish imposed date. Predecessor early dates are then modified as if an Early Start Constraint had been imposed including the revised remaining duration.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. A.Constraints b) Float Constraints

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Critical Path - Constraints Zero Total Float: Sets late dates to early dates, thus causing it and all predecessors to show zero (0) float. Successor activity will not be affected. Zero Free Float – This constraint forces an activity to start as late as possible without delaying or reducing its successors float.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. A.Constraints c) Resource Constraints

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Resources What the job is - labor, materials, equipment, small tools, money, expendable materials Defined in dictionary for assignment to work activities Budgeted quantities - CY of Concrete, Tons of Steel, men per day, # EA Cranes Budgeted costs - 1 CY Concrete = $80.00

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Resource Constraints Resource constraints imposed during leveling computations shift activities in time, revise float and criticality. Primavera, can cause activities to: –split into segments, –stretch by adding duration reducing period resource use, and –shorten an activitys duration by increasing period resources. Primavera identifies the process as splitting, stretching and crunching activities.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Resource Constraints Activities are manipulated based on defined resource availability, which can vary over time depending on the assigned use curve. The options, parameters and resources selected for leveling can generate many and varied results. The direction, forward or backward, of the resource leveling calculation path can generate radically different activity dates and float.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Resource Constraints The forward leveling calculation starts with the first network activity proceeding to the last, obeying network logic and modifying early performance dates. This mechanism is designed to ensure that sufficient resources are available to perform each activity.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Resource Constraints – Not Leveled

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Resource Constraints – Not Leveled

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Resource Constraints – Leveled

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Resource Constraints – Leveled

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Constraints Summary Constraints should only be incorporated into the CPM if they are required by the specifications Constraints should only be used to define project completion Constraints are often used in place of proper logic or duration Constraints can be used to reduce total float Constraints can be used to manipulate or generate false critical paths If at all possible, do not use constraints in the schedule

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. B. Software Calculation and Logic Overrides

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Software Calculation Methods The calculation method selected affects forecast activity performance dates, float and many times the critical path.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Software Calculation Methods Primavera allows three calculation approaches to handle out-of-sequence progress. –Retained Logic - This option maintains the integrity of network logic by requiring all predecessor requirements to be met prior to resumption of progress on the out-of-sequence activity. –Progress Override – This option ignores network predecessor logic of activities that have started. Activities that have started are calculated to finish independent of its predecessors.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Software Calculation Methods Primavera allows three calculation approaches to handle out-of-sequence progress. –Actual Dates – This option uses actual dates to compute activity float of uncompleted predecessors of out-of sequence activities. This option uses retained logic for incomplete predecessors linked to incomplete successors but progress override for incomplete successors and predecessors if an intermediate activity completes out-of-sequence. –Actual Dates computes float as the difference between the planned finish of the uncompleted predecessor and the actual start of the out-of- sequence successor.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Software Calculation Methods T.L. Martin & Associates, Inc. Note the Pour is after Formwork completes. Note the Pour completes prior to Formwork.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Software Calculation Methods Retained logic v. actual date schedule computation for uncompleted out-of-sequence work. The key difference is the computation of activity float. Actual Dates computes float as the difference between the planned finish of the uncompleted predecessor and the actual start of the out-of- sequence successor.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Software Calculation Methods T.L. Martin & Associates, Inc. Note Total Float.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Software Calculation Methods Retained logic v. progress override v. actual date schedule computations for completed out- of-sequence work. The key difference between progress override and actual dates is the computation of activity float. Actual dates computes float as difference between the planned finish of the uncompleted predecessor and the start of the not completed out-of-sequence successor.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Software Calculation Methods T.L. Martin & Associates, Inc.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. C. Float and Network Calendars

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Multiple Calendars Are necessary for certain special construction activities, i.e. paving or weather/temperature related work Should be defined directly or indirectly in the specifications Can generate a critical path (one continuous chain of activities) with multiple total float values Use of multiple calendars can generate project completion forecasts which are very misleading, if sequencing is inaccurate

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Multiple Calendars Different work calendars applied to a chain of activities will cause the float to vary along the chain. Different float amounts occur since float is calculated in workdays and the number of workdays available changes with different calendars.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Multiple Calendars T.L. Martin & Associates, Inc.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Multiple Calendars T.L. Martin & Associates, Inc.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. D. Leads, Lags and Dummies

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Dummies The activity-on-arrow or i-j scheduling technique uses an arrow called a dummy, without duration or work description to represent logic ties between work tasks. Several tricks can be performed with the help of dummies: –The oldest trick is to include durations on the dummy arrows. –The second most popular trick for dummies is the creation of multiple smoking dummy links. The scheduler links several dummies in a chain in order to hide forced and illogical critical paths.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Leads and Lags The precedence diagramming method uses logical relationships or links between activity nodes. Primavera allows these links to contain a leading or a lagging time period prior to performance of its successor. These links, similar to dummies with duration, create a lot of smoke and odd reflections, which can disguise a networks true critical path and activity float.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Leads and Lags There are four basic relationship types. –FS – Finish-to-Start – An activity finishes and then its successor can start. –SS – Start-to-Start – An activity starts allowing its successor to start. –FF – Finish-to-Finish – An activity finishes allowing its successor to finish. –SF – Start-to-Finish – An activity starts allowing its successor to finish. Each of these relationships can delay the successor activity by an imposed time period or a positive lag amount. Additionally, negative lag time periods can also be used causing the linked activities to overlap.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Finish to Start Relationship (FS) Completion of an activity allows the start of a successor activity Most common link: Default setting is the Finish to Start with zero duration lag

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Finish to Start Typical Layout & Prep Under-slab Plumbing

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Finish to Start Relationship (FS) FS with a positive lag is used to represent the passage of time between two activities. The lag contains a duration Positive lag should not be used when an activity will perform the same function – concrete cure time.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Finish to Start with + Lag Limited Usage FS 5 Pour ConcreteStrip Forms Lag should not be used in this case since an activity can be created to represent the cure time.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Finish to Start Relationship (FS) FS with a negative lag is used to schedule activities with an overlap. The lag contains a negative duration.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Finish to Start Overlap FS -2 Install Hangers Hang Ductwork

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Start to Start Relationship (SS) Another relationship used to schedule concurrent work Start of one activity allows the start of another activity Always have another successor activity What does the completion of this activity tie to? Does this activity have to be finished for something else to finish? Do not use lag that are larger than the preceding activity duration.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Start to Start Good SS 3 Form 1st Lift S. Ret. Wall Rebar 1st Lift S. Ret. Wall

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Start to Start Bad SS 5 Set Millwork Set & Hookup Plumbing Fixtures

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Finish to Finish Relationship (FF) Allows an activity to finish after the completion of a predecessor activity Always have another predecessor activity Should typically used in tandem with the Start to Start relationship Lags should not be larger than successor activity

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Finish to Finish Good FF 3 Hang Drywall 3rd Flr Core Finish Drywall 3rd Flr Core

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Finish to Finish Bad FF 5 Hang Drywall 3rd Flr Core Finish Drywall 3rd Flr Core

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Start to Finish Relationship (SF) Allows an activity to finish after a predecessor activity has started Lag should not be greater than the successor activity duration Should be used with other relationships

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Start to Finish Good SF 1 Install Lights S. Wng 2nd Flr Temp. Lights S. Wng 2nd Flr

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Start to Finish Bad SF 4 Install Lights S. Wng 2nd Flr Temp. Lights S. Wng 2nd Flr

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. E. Leveling resources

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Resource Constraints Resource constraints imposed during leveling computations magically shift activities in time, revise float and criticality. Primavera, can cause activities to: –split into segments, –stretch by adding duration reducing period resource use, and –shorten an activitys duration by increasing period resources. Primavera identifies the process as splitting, stretching and crunching activities.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Resource Constraints Activities are manipulated based on defined resource availability, which can vary over time depending on the assigned use curve. The options, parameters and resources selected for leveling can generate many and varied results. The direction, forward or backward, of the resource leveling calculation path can generate radically different activity dates and float.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Resource Constraints Critical paths created by different and varying resource constraints can differ greatly. Real versus imagined resource issues should be accommodated. This will require an understanding of the project: –its location, –space available, –labor and equipment requirements, –as well as contractor specific constraints.

Copyright © 2009 T.L. Martin & Associates Inc. Please continue with Chapter 5 Advanced Techniques of CPM Deception and Mystery T.L. Martin & Associates, Inc.