W10_Ocharlie_Resource Loading and Levelling

Problem definition

In scheduling, activity durations depend on availability of resources. Schedule may be logically correct and in agreement with the estimate but can only be achievable when resources are allocated and levelled over the project time.

 Feasible alternatives

Wildly oscillating staffing

Develop the outcome of each alternative

Using the structural skid fabrication of the Retrofit project with man-hour listed below;  

STRUCTURAL SKID FABRICATION 11

Work Package: Skid frame 11A

Work Package No                         Description                                                                               MH      Total MH

11A_001                                               Cut Primary beam members                                           8

11A_002                                               Cut Cross members                                                          48

11A_003                                               Cut Stiffeners                                                                    56

11A_004                                               Fit up beam members                                                      64

11A_005                                               Fit up stiffeners                                                                 36

11A_006                                               Weld beam members                                                      64

11A_007                                               Weld Stiffeners                                                                 30

                                                                                                                                                                               306

Work package: Handrails 11B

11B_001                                               Cut handrail pipe                                                             48

11B_002                                               Fit up pipe                                                                         64

11B_003                                               Weld handrail                                                                  48              

                                                                                                                                                                               160

Work package: Drain Pan 11C

11C_001                                               Cut plate                                                                          6

11C_002                                               Fit up plate                                                                      12

11C_003                                               Weld drain pan                                                               24

                                                                                                                                                                              42

Work package: Grating 11D

11D_001                                               Cut grating                                                                       16                 16

 

Total MH                                                                                                                                                             524  

Table 1 Manhour allocation

Option 1 Resource Loading and levelling

	Days	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Structural Skid 11	Fitter	2	2	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
	Welder	0	0	1	1	1	1	3	3	3	3

Table 2 Resource loading and levelling by author

The planned % progress based on the allotted man-hours will be as in Table 3 below;

	Day	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Structural Skid
Skid frame
	11A_001	100
	11A_002	16	49	82	100
	11A_003				12.5	37.5	62.5	87.5	100
	11A-004			25	50	75	100
	11A_005							44	88	100
	11A_006							38	76	100
	11A_007									20	100
Handrail
	11B_001										17
	11B_002										24
Drain pan
	11C_001										100

 Table 3 Planned progress

 

Option 2 No resource loading and levelling

Without resource allocation there is no plan

 Selection of criteria

The attribute for the selection criteria is;

·         Resource availability

·         Project visibility

·         Target delivery

·         Efficiency

 

Analysis of alternatives

Option 1 Resource loading and levelling

Resource loading involves allocation of resource requirements on each individual activity. Resources are limited and for the use to be optimized they have to be allocated to tasks and their use tracked to eliminate wastes. Levelling is the efficient utilization of the resources over the project life. From the resource loading of table 2, the number of welders determines the number of welding machines so with fitters and grinding machines. No point allocating welding when there is no welding machine or when fit up is still ongoing. With the man-hour allocation of each task, the progress plan can be generated from which the actual progress can be compared.

Option 2 Blind allocation

Without resource allocation, it is impossible to know if schedule can be met. Not having a resource plan is an assurance of schedule delays and projects being run blindly.

Selection of preferred alternative

Schedule can only work when it is based on available resources. Resource loading includes defining the necessary resources needed to execute each task within the allocated time frame. This allows for a plan for staffing, material and equipment requirement from early start schedule and from late start schedule to be developed. This can then be levelled over the project duration to maximise efficiency. With this resource availability is assured and project visibility is guaranteed.

Performance monitoring and evaluation

With schedule resourced and levelled a plan is generated. This forms the baseline of progress measurement and status reporting.

References

Orczyk, J. J. Project Labour Cost Control, Skills & Knowledge of Cost Engineering (5^th ed.), (PP 21.1.-21.6) WV, AACE International

Humphreys, G. C. (2011). Resource Loading And Levelling The Schedule, Project Management Using Earned Value (2^nd ed.), (PP. 189-196) CA, Humphreys & Associates Inc.

Humphreys, G. C. (2011). Establishing The Performance Measurement Baseline, Project Management Using Earned Value (2^nd ed.), (PP. 519-527) CA, Humphreys & Associates Inc.