Utilizing CPM and PERT in project planning and scheduling, incorporating Linear Programming

Mansur Nuhu A.¹ , Suleiman K.² , M. Hassan³ , Nazir Isma`il I.⁴

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.11 , Issue.1 , pp.6-10, Feb-2024

Online published on Feb 28, 2024

Copyright © Mansur Nuhu A., Suleiman K., M. Hassan, Nazir Isma`il I. . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

View this paper at   Google Scholar | DPI Digital Library

XML View     PDF Download

How to Cite this Paper

Abstract :
Achieving the timely and cost-effective completion of a project presents a significant challenge, with the key hurdle residing in the effective planning and scheduling of the project. These aspects are crucial in accurately predicting both the time and cost dimensions. This research specifically concentrates on finding a balance between the cost of a project (crashing the project) and the minimum anticipated time required for the conclusion of a construction project. Information regarding the costs and durations of diverse activities was gathered from Bunyan Ltd., a construction firm situated in the Kano state of Nigeria. The study employed both the Critical Path Method (CPM) and the Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). Linear programming was applied to reduce both time and cost for various activities, leading to the identification of the critical path. The subsequent examination disclosed that the project`s shortest possible duration is now 40 days, a substantial reduction from the initially expected 79 days. This underscores that precise scheduling of activities resulted in a noteworthy 39-day decrease in the anticipated completion time. However, this reduction incurred an additional cost of N 142,175.27, increasing the initial projected cost for project completion from N 4,305,920.71 to N 4,448,095.99.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Linear programming, Planning, CPM, PERT, Crashing, Critical path

References :
[1] Wallace Agyei., “Project Planning and Scheduling Using PERT and CPM Techniques with Linear Programming,” International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, Vol.4, Issue.8, pp. 222-227, 2019.
[2] A. H. Taha, “Operations research: An Introduction,” Pearson Education, Inc. and Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc. Eight edition, pp. 295-313. 2007.
[3] K. Sunita, B. Snigdha, “CPM Analysis of Rolai-Rinjlai Road Construction,” Research Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Vol.1, No.2, pp. 7-15, 2017.
[4] C. Gueret, M. Sevaux, “Applications of Optimization with Xpress- MP,” translated and revised by Susanne Heipke, Dash Optimization Ltd., London. First Edition, pp. 159-178, 2002.
[5] R.T. Ahuja, J. Orlin, “Network Flows: Theory, Algorithms and Applications” Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. Revised Edition, pp. 217-243, 2001.
[6] S. A. Adebowale, E. D. Oluboyede, “Network analysis and building construction: Implications for timing and costing of activities,” Journal of Civil Engineering and Construction Technology, Vol. 2, No. 5, pp. 90-100, 2022.
[7] A. M. Aliyu, “Use of CPM in project management: A pragmatic study,” Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 197-206, 2022.
[8] P. Weaver, "A Brief History of Scheduling: Back to the Future" (PDF). Retrieved 2 December, 2023.
[9] G. E. Nworuh, “Network planning in implementation of public projects in Nigeria, empirical study,” Interworld journal of management development studies, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 265-275, 2021.
[10] K. J. Bassey, P. E. Chigb, “On building decisions based model via coherent pluralism”, Global journal of pure and applied sciences, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 347-355, 2020.