Optimizing linear project scheduling with multi-skilled crews: Fid-Bau Portal

Optimizing linear project scheduling with multi-skilled crews

Liu, Shu-Shun / Wang, Chang-Jung

Abstract Given the characteristics of linear construction projects, considerable research has been devoted to work productivity and continuity. However, most of these studies only consider single-skilled crews working on linear projects, neglecting the flexibility of multi-skilling in construction. Recently, researchers have revealed that multi-skilling in construction can lead to increased productivity, flexibility, and work continuity. Therefore, this study proposes a duration optimization model while introducing the concept of multi-skilling to integrate single/multiple-skilled crews to improve work performance. Moreover, to enhance the efficiency of problem solving, constraint programming (CP) is used to handle complicated combinatorial scheduling problems, and several heuristic rules involving schedules are engaged. The CP-based optimization minimizes project duration while two crew types, including single-skilled and multi-skilled crews, are integrated in the proposed model. A bridge example is used for several scenarios to illustrate the proposed model's handling of linear scheduling problems, demonstrating how multi-skilling can be used to optimize project duration and improve work continuity/efficiency in a construction context.

Highlights ► A duration optimization model is proposed for linear projects with crew selection. ► Introducing and integrating the concept of multi-skilling in the proposed model. ► Constraint programming (CP) is employed for the combinatorial scheduling problems. ► A bridge example is adapted and used to illustrate the proposed model's abilities. ► Outsourcing multi-skilled crews will benefit the performance of linear projects.