Additional resource constraints

Additional resource constraints.

As another example, suppose that only one piece of equipment was available for the project. As seen in Figure 2-17, the original schedule would have to be significantly modified in this case. Application of the resource constrained scheduling heuristic proceeds as follows as applied to the original project schedule:

1.  On day 4, activities D and C are both scheduled to begin. Since activity D has a larger value of late start time, it should be re-scheduled.

2.      On day 12, activities D and E are available for starting. Again based on a later value of late start time (15 versus 13), activity

D is deferred.

3.      On day 21, activity E is completed. At this point, activity D is the only feasible activity and it is scheduled for starting.

4.  On day 28, the planner can start either activity G or activity H. Based on the later start time heuristic, activity G is chosen to start.

5.     On completion of activity G at day 30, activity H is scheduled to begin.

The resulting profile of resource use is shown in Figure 10-18. Note that activities F and I were not considered in applying the heuristic since these activities did not require the special equipment being considered. In the figure, activity I is scheduled after the completion of activity H due to the requirement of 4 workers for this activity. As a result, the project duration has increased to 41 days. During much of this time, all four workers are not assigned to an activity. At this point, a prudent planner would consider whether or not it would be cost effective to obtain an additional piece of equipment for the project.