Other Scheduling Methods - Construction Project Scheduling and Control - page 316

respectively. Draw the project diagram, using the LSM. Leave a minimum 1-day
time buffer.

Solution

First, determine the durations by dividing the total quantity, 1,000 LF, by the
production rate for each activity. The following durations result: 10, 8, 14, 5,
and 7 days for activities A through E, respectively.
If we start activity A on (end of) day 0, it will finish on day 10. Activity B
lasts only 8 days, and we must leave at least a 1-day time buffer so that we
can finish this activity on day 11. Subtracting its duration of 8 days, we find
the starting point: day 3. Activity C lasts 14 days, so we lag it by 1 day and
start it on day 4. It will finish on day 18. Activity D can finish no earlier than
day 19. It will start on day 14. Finally, activity E can start on day 15 and finish
on day 22. See Figure 11.20.

C

E

B

A

D

12345678 9101112131415161718 19 20 21 22

Time (days)

Figure 11.20 Solution to example 11.4

LSM AND PROJECT SCHEDULE ACCELERATION
The nature of the LSM lends itself to project acceleration because activities overlap
while activities are mostly sequential in critical path networks. Accelerating projects
using LSM works by shifting activities until they overlap as much as possible, making
the schedule more compact. First, choose the minimum yet appropriate buffers among
activities. Second, modify productivities of certain activities by modifying the crews,
if possible. This will help to eliminate work stoppages when a successor's production