Gantt Resource Management System Applied to Construction

Abstract

The current scheduling techniques such as the Critical Path Method (CPM) do not directly take resources (i.e. material, equipment, manpower) into consideration when producing schedules. As a result resource requirements tend to build up throughout schedules and subsequent conflicts frequently occur. And although contractors normally develop CPM schedules at the planning stages, they frequently manage their project without significant reliance on these schedules during construction. This thesis applies H.L. Gantt’s Resource Management System (GRMS), a technique developed in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, to the construction brickwork trade on a prototype construction project. This application is then used to demonstrate the potential of the GRMS in addressing practical operational concerns dealing with resource management. In addition, five evaluative criteria are developed and used in making a comparison and contrast between the GRMS of resource management and the current technique utilizing CPM. The results indicate the Gantt Resource Management System best fits the necessary criteria for a successful resource management system.