Title: Towards holistic project scheduling using critical chain methodology enhanced with PERT buffering

Authors: Robert C. Ash, Paul H. Pittman

Addresses: Indiana University Southeast, School of Business, 4201 Grant Line Road, New Albany, IN 47150, USA. ' Indiana University Southeast, School of Business, 4201 Grant Line Road, New Albany, IN 47150, USA

Abstract: Since the publication of Goldratt|s Critical Chain (1997), Critical Chain Methodology (CCM) for project scheduling has received much attention both in the popular press and in academic journals. Key reasons for the enthusiasm for the methodology are that it takes a holistic, or integrated, approach to project scheduling and it is simple to apply. The CCM approach is designed for situations where task durations are probabilistic and where resources are constrained. However, CCM provides no specific method for determining appropriate project buffer sizing based on task uncertainty and no method for resolving resource constraint. We suggest the simple addition of a heuristic approach to Resource Constrained Project Scheduling (RCPS) to fill the resource constraint resolution gap and the addition of an enhanced Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) method for project buffer sizing.

Keywords: project management; holistic project scheduling; critical chain; project buffering; program evaluation and review technique; PERT; resource constrained project scheduling; RCPS; buffer size.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPOM.2008.022191

International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, 2008 Vol.1 No.2, pp.185 - 203

Published online: 22 Dec 2008 *

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