Application of a heuristic algorithm for efficient resource scheduling: a case study

In the scheduling of construction projects, conflicts can arise when activities require resources that are available in limited quantities. Mathematical techniques exist for allocating resources whilst retaining minimum project durations. One such technique is ‘LINRES’, a heuristic algorithm devised by researchers at Northumbria University in the UK who demonstrated the advantages of LINRES over 32 existing heuristic rules, in trials on a hypothetical project (Abeyasinge et al., 2001). Following this hypothetical test of the algorithm, the present paper reports on the live implementation and empirical testing of LINRES on a real project. The project was an important section of the Shariati Combined-cycle power plant, carried-out by the MAPNA Company in Iran: namely, the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG). Research was carried out to investigate if the LINRES algorithm could improve the scheduling of the HRSG construction, which took place in 2002. Data from the project were simultaneously subjected to manipulation by LINRES and by Primavera Project Planner, one of the most powerful software planning tools available on the market. Outputs were compared, and the performance of the LINRES scheduling tool was found to be superior in its ability to provide an acceptable trade-off between the resource aggregation profiles and consumption justified.