Project Management Tools and Techniques for Construction Projects

This report discusses project management tools and techniques for construction projects, including Gantt chart, resource aggregation chart, network analysis, earned value analysis, and PERT analysis. It covers project scheduling and resource management, with a focus on optimizing resource allocation and improving project performance. The report includes examples of resource allocation for constructing a basement and a building, as well as a detailed explanation of earned value analysis. The report is relevant for students studying project management, construction management, and related subjects.

Project management
tools and technics

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Overview of the Project........................................................................................................3
Gantt Chart:..........................................................................................................................3
Resource Aggregation Chart 1:...........................................................................................5
GANTT Chart 2......................................................................................................................7
Resource Aggregation Chart 2: -..........................................................................................10
Project Scheduling..............................................................................................................10
The use of network analysis in the scheduling of construction projects.......................11
The use of Earned value analysis: -...................................................................................14
EARNED VALUE ANALYSIS....................................................................................................16
PERT Analysis:...................................................................................................................16
Importance of above analysis-..............................................................................................19
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21

INTRODUCTION
Project management is a framework which involves planning and organising of the
available resources for completion of a project. It is used in various industries and plays an
essential role in the success of construction, engineering and IT organisations. A project of
construction is an organised process which involves constructing, renovating, refurbishing, etc. a
building or an infrastructure (Aanbari and Kwak, 2018). This report is prepared on a construction
company which has won the tender of building of multi-story office block. This will be the new
headquarter of the business. The report will discuss the Gantt Chart, Resource Aggregation Chart
and network analysis in relation to the construction project. The use of EVA along with
recommendation on the basis of Monte Carlo simulation is also covered in the report.
MAIN BODY
Overview of the Project
A construction company has won the tender of building a multi storey office block which
will be used as the new headquarter for the large organisation. In this, the project is divided into
two phases which are first construction of basement and second, the building of the frame of
structural steelwork (Bergmann and Karwowski, 2018). It is the responsibility of the project
manager to properly complete the project within the specified time period.
Gantt Chart:
It is a horizontal bar chart which is used to define the schedule of the project. It also
involves the starting and finishing date of the elements such as planning, resources and other
dependencies (Bjorvatn and Wald, 2018). The overall activities which are essential for the
construction project are defined in this chart along with the duration.

Activities of constructing a basement

Gantt chart of constructing basement: -
Resource Aggregation Chart 1:
It is a pictorial representation of the activities and resources which will be required to
properly complete the task (Dinnik, Grigoryeva and Galoyan, 2019). It is basically the sum of the
resources required for the project during the life cycle of the building a project of construction.
As it has been seen in network scheduling, basics inputs for critical path analysis is the
individual activities of project, the time and dependency on the relationships. In accordance to
the forward and backward path calculations, determination of start and finish time of activities.
CPM algorithms are the time driven. Time duration of activities here are function of resources
which are needed for completing each activity. CPM development is the assumption that all
resources required for schedule are available. It is not always true for the construction projects.
Under the resource constraints, schedule becomes impractical, time and cost are not accurate and

resources might be not available when required. For dealing with such challenges the proper
management of available resources is needed for adjusting schedule accordingly.
What is a resource?
The first step in the resources management is deciding what exactly what resources are
essential enough for managing. Meanwhile the most used resource in a project is human resource
and workers and may include other resources like machines and project space is less and it limits
the restrictions of other resources which might be used at single time, money required for doing
the work and materials required for accomplishing the various activities.
The most essential resources that the managers of the project have to plan and manage
the humans, materials, and money (Galli, 2018). If all these resources are available in abundance
than project will be accelerated for achieving the short duration of time. Meanwhile is these
resources are limited then the outcome will be likely delay in completing time of project.
Resource Management
The main resources which the management of the project has to plan and manage on
daily basis are people, materials etc. Projects are classified in the time or resource constrained.
Resource levelling
The project is classified as the time constrained when completing time is going to delayed
even after the extra resources need. Meanwhile the project is resources constrained if level of
resource availability can’t be exceeded (Guo and Zhang, 2022).
Resource Allocation
It is known as the resource loading which is concerned with assigning of the required
resources numbers identified for each activity in plan. More than on kind of resource can be
assigned to specific activity.
Resource Aggregation
After each activity have been assigned the resources, the next step is aggregating the
resources used by all tasks. It is simply the summation on the basis of period by period of
resources needed for completing the all activities based on resource allocation carried in past.
Resource Levelling
It is the process which attempts for determining the requirement of resource which is
smooth and where the valleys and peaks are eliminated.

Justification of resource allocation of basement construction
For making of the basement many resources are required such as project manager,
architect, engineer, labor, electrician and plumber. For the 20 days executive of project is needed
as they monitor the entire project. Architect who is responsible for the design of the project is
needed only on day 1. Engineer who looks the technical aspects of the project is required almost
every day. Labor who will work on project all the time will be presented all the time on the
project. Electrician and plumber are needed for installation in last so they will be required in last.

GANTT Chart 2
Activities of constructing the building

Gantt chart of constructing a building: -

Resource Aggregation Chart 2: -
Justification of resource allocation of building construction
For constructing the building project executives are required all the time whereas the
architect is needed on day 1 only. Engineer have to presented all the time as they have to look the
complexities. Workers and helpers are the main resources for construction of the project so they
will also be needed all the time. Carpenter, electrician, plumber, painters and tile setters are
required in last.
Project Scheduling
It refers to the process of project tasks aligning for fitting the deadline. As the activities
can overlap or need to be completed before the starting of the other task, it is important
for scheduling the tasks in an ideal order for completing them on time. By scheduling of
project the determination of method for project completion can be done increasing the

efficiency while adapting to the changes which may arise in the process. Scheduling of
the project have these following elements-
 Tasks
 Deadlines
 Stakeholders
The use of network analysis in the scheduling of construction projects
Network Analysis helps in designing, planning, coordinating and controlling the decision
making for properly completing the tasks (Hair and Sarstedt, 2021). It focuses on accomplishing
the project in minimum cost and in the minimum available time with all the available resources.
The managers of the project can use this analysis for taking into consideration the various factors
which are essential in creating a project plan. The elements which are analysed in relation to the
construction project are relation between the tasks, buffer times between activities and time
schedule of the overall project. It also forms the basis of planning and predicting the activities of
constructing the multi-story office block. This technique of project management helps in taking
better decisions by the different stakeholders which are related to this project. This will assist in
optimum utilization of all the resources which are available in regard to the project. The manager
of project will have to use this model in order to make sure that the objectives and targets are
achieved with the specified period of time. There are various uses of network analysis in the
construction project which are discussed below:
 It helps in breaking down the complex tasks of construction of building into smaller
activities.
 It also provides an organised sequence of the work to be done which helps in properly
completing the multi-story office block.
 It reduces the operation cost, time, wastage of resources and other conflicts which can
arise in completing the project of construction.
 It also provides proper and timely scheduling of each and every activity to be performed
by the labourers and engineers.
 It gives a direction to all the persons which are involved in the construction. This helps in
ensuring the smooth establishment of both the basement and the main building.
Here are some network analysis techniques such as-

 Programme Evaluation and Review Techniques- It was developed by US navy in
the year 1958 for assisting in controlling and planning of the missiles programme. It
is the method which minimizes the delays in production, conflicts and interruptions,
for coordinating and synchronizing the different activities of the project, expediting
the project’s completion time. By considering the uncertainties related with the non-
routine projects to which the PERT is appropriate, there is the opted formulae which
gives the time expected for activities of PERT from previous experience.
 Critical Path Method- Developed in 1950s by the joint efforts of 2 firms, basically
designed for applying to the operations/situations which are repetitive. CCPM brings
the prominence in process of control and planning, costs concept. It is mostly adapted
by the commercial business organizations in their complex projects such as
construction project as they are cost conscious.
PERT or CPM both are the network analysis techniques representing the
quantitative, systematic approach for the problem of project management from starting to
completion.

Network diagram of constructing a basement: -
CRITICAL PATH IDENTIFICATION-
1-2-3-4-5-7-8-9-10-11-12
7 days + 5 days + 3 days + 1 days + 10 days + 5 days + 4 days + 3 days + 5 days + 7 days + 5
days = 55 days.
Network diagram of constructing the building: -

CRITICAL PATH IDENTIFICATION- There is no critical path in this network diagram.
The use of Earned value analysis: -
The earned value analysis is being considered as the most important technique which
assist in determining the real gain as well as losses. This analysis assists to manage the gain as
well as the losses and also helps in balancing and maximize the gain. This is also known as
earned value management which is normally used to analyse the progress of the project at each
and every stage (Koke and Moehler, 2019). The utilization of the Earned value analysis in the
construction project has been discuss below: -
 Assist in realistic project planning: - this is being considered as the most important
benefit which can be used by the construction manager. With the use of EVA, the
construction manager is able to determine the amount of budget as well the real time
frame for the completion of the construction work. Along with if the construction
manager adds the EVM in the planning process then they effectively determine the
baseline, cost, schedule and scope of the project (Mavi and Standing, 2018).
 Give real time visibility of the centralized information: -it is very crucial for the
construction manager to track the real time performance of the project. The utilization of
the EVM by the manager within the project assist them in tracking the matrices of
performance on robust management tool. EVM basically integrates all the schedule as
well as the budget into a system and provide important insights on the report and
analytics. Hence, the use of Earned value management allows the construction manager
to analyse the progress of the project at every step and milestone.
 Measure schedule and budget accuracies: -during the construction of the project
surprise can be came at any time so it can be said that the life cycle of the project is very
dynamic in nature. The priorities, scope cline and many more can be change at any time.
So in order to overcome form this and avoid such type of failure it is very important for
the construction manager to implement the EVM in order to measure the variances. The
measurement of the variances at every level helps in mitigating the damages and bring
the CV level to Zero (Pan and Zhang, 2021).
From the above mentioned points it has been analyse that EVM plays a very important
role in measuring the working of a project and the different types of actions need to be taken to

avoid the damages and complete the work. But without proper project management process a
construction or project manager cannot reap or enjoy the benefits of EVM.

EARNED VALUE ANALYSIS
Assuming 20 workers are employed for 60 days and accordingly, the budgeted resources
available for the construction of basement = 60 * 10 = 600 man days
Budgeted resources (in man days) for the entire basement project = 600 man days (BRWS =
Budgeted resources for the work scheduled)
Actual resources (in man days) used till the 75% completion of the project on completion date of
basement = 350 man days (ARWP = Actual resources for the work performed)
Budgeted resources (in man days) for the actual work performed @ 75% level = 600 * 75% =
450 man days (BRWP = Budgeted resources for the Work Performed).
Three matrices that would be calculated on the basis of this information includes the following:
SV = Scheduled variance = BRWP – BRWS = 450 – 600 = -150 (- means delay)
RV (resource variance) = BRWP – ARWP = 450 – 350 = 100 (+ means resource efficiency)
RPI = Resource Performance Index = BRWP / ARWP = 450 / 350 = 1.3 (greater than 1 means
resource efficiency)
SPI = Scheduled Performance Index = BRWP / BRWS = 450 / 600 = 0.75
ETR = Estimated total resources required = BRWS – BRWP / RPI = 600 - 450 / 1.3 = 115 man
days.
Estimate at Completion = ARWP + ETR = 350 + 115 = 465 man days
Forecast duration = Original duration / RPI
Original duration predicted in the beginning for the basement = 60 days.
Forecast duration = 60 / 1.3 = 46 days.
PERT Analysis:
It is a method which is used to analyse the activities and operations that ascertain Critical
Path Method. It is a tool used in project management which helps in calculating the time required
to finish a project. It is a strategical tool which helps in handling activities and projects and
involves a series of activities. The analysis is used in research projects and is an appropriate tool
for strategic decisions (SepúlvedaRivillas, Alegre and Oltra, 2021). The analysis is also helpful
in identifying the budget for a project. As the estimated time for the completion of the project
will help the management to analyse the financial resources and human resources. The analyses
provide an idea in which various activities are carried out and the time needed to complete each

task accordingly. It also helps in keeping a track of the progress of the overall project. It is
important as it helps the project managers to decide the resources and factors needed for the
budget. It is depicted in a flowchart, where the nodes are represented as events and the directorial
lines describe the tasks which have to be completed. The arrows shows the sequence in which
the activities have to be done(Sreedharan and Sunder, 2018).
Task Name Duratio
n
OD MLD PD Expecte
d
duration
s
Standard
deviation
Varianc
e
Architectural
Design 7 days 5 7 9 7 0.67 0.44
Excavation 5 days 4 5 8 5 0.67 0.44
Filling cavaties
with Concrete 3 days 2 3 4 3 0.33 0.11
Use auger bored
piling 1 day
0.5 1 3 1 0.42 0.17
Pumping concrete
on steel frames 10 days 7 10 12 10 0.83 0.69
Using pre-formed
Concrete blocks 5 days 4 5 6 5 0.33 0.11
Use of mini Piling
machines for
building
contiguous piled
walls
5 days
4 5 7 5 0.5 0.25
Use of cavity
drain membrane
systems
4 days
2 4 5 4 0.5 0.25
Use of
Polyurethane
Plastic sheets with
dimples
3 days
2 3 5 3 0.5 0.25
Cement based
tanking of internal
walls
5 days
4 5 7 5 0.5 0.25
Installing
Underfloor 7 days 5 7 9 7 0.67 0.44

heating and
drainage work
Preparing washing
facilities 5 days
4 5 6 5 0.33 0.11
∑ 3.53
Standard
deviation
for the
basement =
√summatio
n of
standard
deviation
of activity
1.88
DURATIO
N (days)
Resources COST
(assuming
20
workers
are
getting
£20 per
day)
Normal
COST
Additiona
l cost
TOTAL
COST
Profit Net profit
20 20 20 8000 0 8000 1000 1000
19 21 20 7980 100 8080 2000 1900
18 22 20 7920 200 8120 3000 2800
17 23 20 7820 300 8820 4000 3700
16 24 20 7680 400 8080 5000 4600

15 25 20 7500 500 8000 6000 5500
Importance of above analysis-
From the analysis, it was important to identify the optimistic and pessimist duration so that the
project manager can get expected duration of completing this project. Moreover, the expected
duration is calculated by the following steps-
The expected duration of constructing the basement shall be 19.81 days which is calculated by
summing the total mean of all the activities.
The formula to calculate the mean is O + P + 4 * M / 6.
The standard deviation is calculated by the formula which is P - O / 6.
Now for calculating the probability, it is important to calculate first the Z Score which is
calculated by the formula- X – x (Sum of mean) / Standard Deviation.
Next, the probability for completing the basement 2 days before that is, within 59 days will be
computed against the expected period which is 61 days. So, the probability of completing the
project within 59 days is as follows:
X = 59
Mean = 61
Standard deviation = 1.88
Therefore, z score = 59 – 61 / 1.88 = -1.06.
Through the PERT probability table, it has been identified that the -1.0 z score falls under just
16% probability. Therefore, there is 16% probability of completing the project before 2 days that
is, within 59 days.
This is analysed that as the days for completing project is reduced, our cost is increased
but our profit is increased as manpower is enhanced and time taken is less as compared to actual
time period and man power required. 15th day shall be the optimum day as maximum profit will
be earned with minimum cost.
Simulation Techniques
They are the processes which are based on the use of different sciences as econometrics,
mathematics, statistics and informatics for helping the specialists for seeing the future potential
actions or the approaches which are based on the use of data from previous models essential for

predicting the errors and risks which can appear and can be reduced their effect and also decrease
cost and enhance the knowledge and skills by relationship and multidisciplinary team work.
Methodologies which are used for analysing the structures behaviour considering the various
possible values for problems main parameters.
Monte Carlo simulation
It is a risk management technique which is used in conducting the quantitative analysis of
risk. The main advantage of this is that it provides an early indication as to how the project
deadlines and milestones can be achieved. Unlike the model of normal forecasting, Monte Carlo
Simulation predicts the outcomes set which is based on the range of estimated value vs the set of
fixed values of input. Monte Simulation builds the model of potential results by leveraging the
probability of distribution, like the normal or uniform distribution for any of the variables which
have inherent uncertainty It recalculates outcomes again and again, every time using the other set
of random no. among the maximum and minimum values. In a typical experiment of Monte
Carlo Simulation these exercise may be repeated thousands time for producing the large number
of probable outcomes. Monte Simulations are used for prediction of long term because of the
accuracy. As the inputs numbers increases, forecast number also increases permitting for project
results to farther out in time with accuracy. When the Simulation is completed it yields the
possible range outcomes with probability of every outcome occurring. Monte Carlo Simulation if
used in the building construction project then the accuracy of project will be enhanced as by the
use of this techniques thousands of possible outcomes can be generated.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above report that the project of constructing a multi storey
office block is very length and complex. It involves various tasks and activities which are to be
performed by the project manager in order to properly complete the project. The Gantt Chart and
Resource aggregation chart is prepared in order to analyse the activities which will be required
and the resources which will be needed to accomplish the project of construction. The technique
of network analysis is used for proper scheduling of work. The role of EVA in the constructing
the building and recommendation on the basis of Monte Carlo Simulation is discussed for
effective and efficient of the project. All this needs to take into consideration by the project
manager for making sure that all the requirements of the project are fulfilled.

REFERENCES
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