Construction Project Management Software Analysis Report

This project analyzes the use of project management software, specifically Microsoft Project, within the context of a construction project. The report begins with an introduction to project management and its importance in coordinating resources and activities to achieve project objectives. It then provides an overview of a specialist trade package, detailing the reinforcement scope, overall construction process for a 50-story tower, and information flow between various specialists. The project also includes a process map using IDEF0 methodology, highlighting the concrete floor cycle for the construction project. The third section evaluates the implementation of Microsoft Project software, along with 4D BIM tool and ADePT methodology, discussing their advantages and barriers. The project covers aspects like planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and risk management, crucial for the successful execution of construction projects. The report emphasizes the need for effective communication and coordination, which are facilitated by the use of project management software like Microsoft Project.

Project management
Software

Table of Contents
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Project Overview.......................................................................................................................1
2. Specialist Trade Package..................................................................................................................2
2.1 Reinforcement Scope.................................................................................................................2
2.2 Overall Construction Process...................................................................................................2
2.3 Information Required and Supplied........................................................................................3
2.3.1 Information Exchange between Project Manager and Reinforcement Specialist.........3
2.3.2 Information Exchange between Demolition Specialist and Reinforcement Specialist..3
2.3.3 Information Exchange between Superstructure Specialist and Reinforcement
Specialist.............................................................................................................................................4
2.4 Process Map...............................................................................................................................5
2.5 Timing for Information Flows Identified.................................................................................6
3. Microsoft Project Software...............................................................................................................8
3.1 Overall Construction Programme............................................................................................8
3.1.1 4D BIM Implementation’s Advantages............................................................................9
3.1.2 Barriers...............................................................................................................................9
3.1.3 ADePT Implementation’s Advantages...........................................................................10
3.1.4 Barriers.............................................................................................................................10
3.2 Reinforcement Package...........................................................................................................11
3.3 Critical Appraisal of Microsoft Project Software.................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................................14
List of Abbreviations
ADePT- Analytical Design Planning Technique
BIM- Building Information Modeling
IDEF- Integrated DEFinition

1. Introduction
The construction project includes several activities to complete a single project, and this is not
everyone's cup of tea ("Construction Management - Basthatfield", 2018). This industry's
processes demands a professional help to manage the project ("Construction Project
Management | Coursera", 2018). The resources and the activities must be coordinated well for
meeting the desired objectives. Thus, project management is the needful option for the
industry (Landau, 2018). Project management ensures proper planning, coordinating, managing
and controlling throughout the completion of the project ("Introduction to Project
Management", 2018). The project's completion is ensured to accomplish on exact time, quality
and with the estimated budget. Microsoft project software helps in all the phases of the project
such as- planning, scheduling and controlling. However, it significantly improves communication
(SURAJ UMAR, 2013). Project management is an application which is integrated with various
tools and techniques (Kerzner, 2013). These integrated elements helps the users to manage the
projects base on cost, time, quality, schedule and coordination (Halpin, Lucko & Senior, 2013).
1.1 Project Overview
Section 2: The second section provides the details like the purpose, scope, limitations and
information flow. Further, it is also enclosed with a process map.
Section 3: The third section of the report evaluates the implementation of project management
package like Microsoft Project software, along with 4D BIM tool and ADePT methodology in the
construction project.

2. Specialist Trade Package
2.1 Reinforcement Scope
 To control, uncontrolled processes.
 To implement adequate planning.
 To implement maintenance of plan.
 To ensure management support.
 To track the cost exceeding in the operations.
 To ensure that the engineering specifications are effectively implemented at the
site.
 To ensure that the quality of the work is not affected and the expected
performance is delivered.
 To discard the issues related to lifting the screens.
 Checking the problems in the processes such as striking, and collection of used
materials for passing it to the next floor.
 To include the required security measures and secure the worker’s life at the
site.
 To identify the risks of the related processes.
 Ensuring training of the exact process to be followed by the managers and the
laborers.
 To gather the perspectives of the subcontractors and workers, for improving
reinforcement process in construction management.
 For improving the use of materials at the site. For instance, crane, human
resource and material resources.
 For managing the stressing system.
 To avoid unnecessary delay in the work.
 To avoid messy surrounding at the site, to curb off any accidents.
2.2 Overall Construction Process
The construction of a 50 storey tower in the city center location is the project. The main
purpose is to check and manage the reinforcement work in the construction of the building,
using an effective package and tools. The main part of construction is reinforcement of the
design as per the drawing. The following are the activities of this project, which are sequenced
as follows- Screen lifting; column reinforcing and formation; position forming of the band and
perimeter beams; formation of beam; metal deck positioning; reinforcing and cable stressing
process; and execution of concrete floor slab. The intension of reinforcement is to protect its
fall, lifting screens externally for column forming and protection from public access for the

three storey height. In a span of four days, the floor construction cycle is required to be
completed. Initially, the first couple of days are assigned for preparing the forms, then the next
day is assigned for final reinforcement and the last day is assigned for concreting.
Many people and processes required for this project to complete, so it is difficult from one
single person to handle all the activities. Thus, technology is like Microsoft Project software is
suggested for effective project management (Mochal & Mochal, 2011) (Wilczewski, 2014). It is
witnessed that this project awaits the need of effective project management, where the co-
ordination, resource utilization, budget estimation, risk management, quality, project
completion time, progress of the tasks and other important aspects are taken care ("Project
Management for Construction: Labor, Material and Equipment Utilization", 2018). The
processes like Formwork, Reinforcement, Stressing, Concrete, Screens and Crane are the
construction project management’s key packages. The project managers will be relieved only if
a right project management tool is selected ("Construction Project Management 101", 2018).
2.3 Information Required and Supplied
2.3.1 Information Exchange between Project Manager and Reinforcement Specialist
Information supplied by PM Information supplied by RS
Engineering Design Laborer details
List of roles and responsibilities Project updates
Cost plan Training programme schedule
Project Schedule(Includes data and time
allocated for the package and the project)
Scheduled report of the operations
Training programme Expenses plan
Security programme Details of the plan for storing the used materials.
Reports of the schedule. Other information
Risk Management report Reporting any kind of potential risks
Project Brief Report of the delivered machinery/ materials
2.3.2 Information Exchange between Crane Specialist and Reinforcement Specialist
Information supplied by CS Information supplied by RS
Scheduling the crane for lifting the
screens.
Details of the fixed screens for any
reinforcement.
Health and safety programme
Expected delays
Completed process

2.3.3 Information Exchange between Concrete Specialist and Reinforcement Specialist
Information supplied by CS Information supplied by RS
Progress of the concrete operation. Expected progress of the operations.
Schedule of concreting operation
Curing schedule
Details of concrete
Health and safety programme
2.3.4 Information Exchange between Formwork Specialist and Reinforcement Specialist
Information supplied by FS Information supplied by RS
Progress of the formwork operations
and operation schedule.
Expected progress for the scheduled
operations.
Health and safety programme
2.3.5 Information Exchange between Screen Specialist and Reinforcement Specialist
Information supplied by SS Information supplied by RS
Progress of the screen lifting operations
and operation schedule.
Expected progress for the scheduled
operations.
Health and safety programme
2.3.6 Information Exchange between Stressing Specialist and Reinforcement Specialist
Information supplied by SS Information supplied by RS
Schedule of pre stressing operations Expected progress for the scheduled
operations.
Scheduling stressing operation Strengthened concrete details
Completion of stressing operation If any defaults in the stressing
Scheduling post stressing operation

2.4 Process Map
IDEF0 is a model, whose elements include boxes and arrows. The functions are denoted by the
boxes, as the activities and processes. Whereas, the data or objects are denoted by arrows
(Badica, Badica & Litoiu, n.d.). Using IDEF0 assists to find the process’s view. The following are
the important features of IDEF0 ("IBM Knowledge Center", 2018):
1) Abstraction
2) Hierarchical decomposition.
Concrete Floor
Cycle for
Construction
Project
Site clearing and Removal
of trees
Reinforcing, Position and
formation of columns and
perimeter beams
General excavation
Placing reinforcement and
formwork for concrete
Reinforcing along with stressing
cables
Installing sewer lines,
Installing other utilities and
Pouring concrete
Performing concrete floor slab

2.5 Timing for Information Flows Identified
Date Information Supplied from Supplied to
16/03/2018 Completion notice Project Manager Substructure
specialist
21/03/2018 Notice of
completion-
reinforcement
system
Substructure
specialist to the
project manager
Reinforcement
specialist
6/04/2018 Updates of the
project.
Requirement of
health and safety
Important
information related
to reinforcement
package like delivery
and availability of
the site.
Project Manager Reinforcement
specialist
1/05/2018 Health and safety
programme Schedule
for the operations.
Any kind of potential
risks
Expected delays
Reinforcement
specialist
Project Manager
6/06/2018 Reinforcement work.
Managing the
materials.
Reinforcement
specialist
Concrete
Specialist
21/06/2018 Concrete work
Managing the
materials.
Concrete
specialist
Stressing
specialist
10/06/2018 Completion of Reinforcement Project manager

reinforcement work
Storing of unused
materials.
specialist
25/06/2018 Completion of
concrete work.
Storing of unused
materials.
Concrete
specialist
Project manager
25/06/2018 Construction of core
bases is complete-
erection of structure
to support slabs can
begin
Concrete
Concrete
specialist
Project manager
16/04/2019 Completion of the
whole project
Project Manager Substructure
specialist
6/05/2018 Pre and post
Stressing operations
Stressing
specialist
Concrete
specialist
6/05/2018 Concrete package Concrete
specialist
Reinforcement
specialist
1/05/2018 Formwork package Formwork
specialist
Concrete
specialist
21/04/2018 Crane scheduling
and operation
Crane specialist Screen specialist
21/04/2018 Screen Package Screen specialist Crane specialist
OUTSIDE PACKAGE COMMUNICATIONS (During package duration)
Completion of core
bases, to proceed
with superstructure
package.
Health and Safety
programme

Communication
related to other plans
Stressing package
Concrete package
Formwork package
Crane package
Screen Package
Project manager
5/04/2019 Commencement of main construction
Construction of main
Reinforcement frame
Concrete
Specialist
3. Microsoft Project Software

3.1 Overall Construction Programme
At the beginning of any project, objectives must be realized which is possible by a systematic
approach like planning and implementing, and it works towards the success of the project. To
enforce such benefits for the project, effective tools, applications and methods will be
beneficial. The success of project management has surged to great heights, due to its
sophistications ("Construction Project Management | Coursera", 2018). On the other hand, it
has come up after facing a lot of challenges ("Introduction to Project Management", 2018). All
the industries faces issues in terms of system development and its management. The problems
demand alterations, which leads to the project's success.
Generally, any industry finds project management a bit challenging, to handle the risky and
complicated activities. The technology has gifted the industries with tools and applications that
has drastic impact on the project’s success (Kerzner, 2013).
The Microsoft Project software is evaluated in the below section ("Introduction to Project
Management", 2018). The tasks include Concrete Floor Cycle Project Based on Construction
Management. The human resources are Project Executive, Senior Project Manager, Project
Engineer, Project Admin, Project Accountant, Project Scheduler, Senior Superintendent, Safety
Manager, Layout Engineer, unskilled Laborer, Equipment and Facilities, Contractor and Sub-
Contractor.
This project requires communication between the project managers, Reinforcement Specialist,
substructure specialist, concrete specialists and laborers, for successfully constructing the
building. Project manager needs to check the following and communicate well with the laborers
("Reinforcement Guide", 2018) ("Project Management 101 for Commercial Concrete Polishing
Contractors", 2018):
i. Reinforcement and formworks conditions.
ii. Steel bar bending accuracy
iii. Dowel bars
iv. Joints
The above mentioned factors will be helpful, if they are checked before the reinforcements is
embedded as a formwork. The reinforcement drawing must be completed and designed
correctly, if not it can distort the diameters of the framework and result in wrong
reinforcement.
The reinforcement package includes site clearing and removal of trees, to clean the site and
start the actual work, as per the implemented design. Next, the approval is taken to start the

work. Approvals are required for electricity, water, land etc. General excavation takes place for
cleaning the site. Then the layout will be drawn and authority will be divided to its specialists.
The Reinforcing, Position and formation of columns and perimeter beams will be taken care by
the reinforcement specialist and the concrete work will be handled by the concrete specialist.
Similarly, respective activities will be divided by the project manager. Further, placing
reinforcement and formwork for concrete will take place. Followed by, reinforcing along with
stressing cables. Then the installation of sewer lines, installation of other utilities and pouring
concrete takes place. Only then, the concrete floor slab will be placed. This is how the floor
cycle will be completed. The other remaining work like raising the walls and finishing of the
construction work will be carried out.
The overall construction programme takes care of managing the entire construction work, with
MS project software for improving the reinforcement process in construction management. The
delay of construction work is managed to avoid any delivery issues. The resources like crane,
human resource and material resources are managed at the site. Further, the stressing system
is managed. Safety at the construction site is enforced with health and safety programmed, to
avoid any accidents.
3.1.1 4D BIM Implementation’s Advantages
i. It is cost effective.
ii. It provides a graphical representation of the building design with a four
dimensional view.
iii. It has smart designing features (Ahmed, Emam & Farrell, 2014).
iv. It is mainly helpful in plan’s development stage.
v. It is helpful an effective tool for developing the plans and for scheduling process.
vi. Having a project manager with 4 BIM skill is beneficial for the construction
project.
vii. It helps in identifying any kind of defects in the schedule, and eliminated any
inconvenience.
viii. It is an intelligent tool to handle the data and parametric rules.
ix. It is cost effective, as it saves the cost for scheduling and on reworks.
x. It significantly brings together both the, design and construction.
3.1.2 Barriers
1) In the beginning, it open fires more expenses to upgrade the previously used
hardware and software.
2) Lack of skills to use and implement 4D BIM tool in the project.