Method For Converting Repetitive Scheduling Method To Network Models And Float Analysis

Network planning technology consisting CPM (critical path method) and network model is widely used as a project planning and scheduling method, which could clearly showed the timing relationships among the various activities. But given the lack of the traditional network model in the field of repetitive project management, a series of new techniques specialized for repetitive scheduling projects have appeared in recent years. This paper denotes these methods as RSM (Repetitive Scheduling Method).RSM has a lot of advantages over the network model in dealing with repetitive projects and is more functional for project managers to carry out planning and scheduling work. However, RSM has a short history and theoretical research about it is far from perfect. Even some basic theoretical issues remain unresolved, which impacts its application in practice. Therefore research on basic theory for RSM in this paper is of important value.This paper firstly proposes a method fot transferring RSM into the network model. As the network model has been widely accepted and recognized in the field of project management, the techinology can effectively solve many problems in engineering practice, and often appears as a part of the project contract. Therefore it is necessary to establish a method of tranfering the RSM into network model. The method proposed in this paper establishs a set of rules which can transfering various types of activities and constraints in RSM into network model. Advantages of this method lie in its ability to express the resource continuity in network model, and RSM and network model share the same total duration, critical paths and floats.Then establish the float theoretical system in RSM according to its characteristics. Research on float is the basis of the scientific management for scheduling projects. This paper defines the total float, free float and safety in RSM after integrating them in network models, and proposes pushing float and prolong float in RSM according to its using fetures. Given the lack of the float theory that can be universally accepted and applied, results in this paper can improve the theoretical system of the RSM, and promote its application in dealing with problems such as allocation of resources, time costs, updating plan and claims analysis, and so on.Finally, a project is used to calculate and compare the floats in RSM and network model. The example has verified that RSM and network model share the same total duration, critical path and floats by using the proposed method. By this method can the project managers use both RSM and network model better.