Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
3.1 Overview of programming techniques
The bar chart display was developed by Henry Gannt in 1915. Other systems, such as
critical path analysis (CPA), precedence diagrams and line of balance came some
forty years later.
The critical path method was developed by E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. in 1956.
Further development work by Mouchley, Ketley and Walker in 1957 led to wider
applications suitable for the industry. The onset of computers in the early 1960s led
to analysis being undertaken by computers as a central analysis source.
The principles of network analysis are still included in construction management
degree courses in order to develop an analytical approach to construction situations -
long may this practice continue.
Critical path software developed by Pertmaster/Primavera is still used - although
only applicable to the large projects involving complex relationships. There was no
evidence of it being used on the projects included in the building case studies.
Precedence diagrams were developed to present a clear relationship between
operations: finish to start, start to start and finish to finish. This enabled bar chart
displays to more clearly illustrate these links in practice. As laptops became more
powerful, speedy analysis on portable computers has aided the development of
packages of the Powerproject type.
Linked bar charts are now the norm on construction projects. All the case studies
reflect this, as they all use Asta Developments Powerproject and Team Plan software
on their projects. The use of linked bar chart software has been encouraged by
the training programmes available from Asta Developments. Any university offering
construction and project management degree courses can obtain a free licence from
Asta Developments for use within a university environment. The development of
programming using linked bar chart software should now become the norm on
university courses.
Construction firms tend to use trained planning engineers to undertake all aspects
of planning during a project. They are responsible for preparing the programmes for
pre-tender, pre-contract, master contract and procurement and also for programme
updates and progress reports.
In some organisations the site manager is trained to use Powerproject, and often
works with the project planner and takes responsibility for the short-term planning
at site level.
Powerproject Version 12 is available from the Asta Development website. A com-
puter download titled “Getting Started” is clearly presented and guides the user
through the various stages of preparing a bar chart display.
Other linked bar chart software is available from Project Commander and
others.
