Ghaleb Y. Abbasi

Project management practice by the public sector in a developing country

Abstract The use of Project Management (PM) in developing countries is becoming an important issue in implementing modern projects. This paper is aimed at exploring the PM tools and techniques used by the public sector in Jordan, which is a developing country with a rapidly growing economy. The PM phases and tools were presented. A survey was conducted for the major fifty industrial public firms in Jordan, and statistically analyzed to identify the use of PM tools and techniques. Also, the obstacles to proper implementation of such tools were presented. Benefits and drawbacks of the use of these techniques were discussed. In conclusion, more effort should be spent on training, planning, resource leveling, cost estimation, corrective plans, and standardization.

Crashing PERT networks using mathematical programming

Abstract The paper introduces and develops a method for investigating the application of mathematical programming to the concept of crashing in Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). The main objective is the minimization of the pessimistic time estimate in PERT networks by investing additional amounts of money in the activities on the critical path. The constructed mathematical model, which is built in terms of additional amounts of money that must be invested, shows that minimizing the pessimistic time decreases project duration and, at the same time, reduces its variance. The result of applying the model showed that the probability of realizing the terminal node is increased.

Environmental assessment for paper and cardboard industry in Jordan — a cleaner production concept

Abstract An environmental assessment for Jordan Paper and Cardboard Factory (JPCF) was conducted. Cleaner production concept, what it can achieve, and how it can be applied to JPCF was tested. Using the waste audit tool, five independent options were identified as having potential for improvements; these were on site reuse, technological changes, raw material changes, good housekeeping, and product changes. For each option, one or more pollution prevention actions were recommended. Economical advantages that could be achieved in water, energy, and material savings were quantified and simple payback periods calculated. Analyses revealed that on-site reuse and technological changes were the most efficient environmental options. Although different actions might result in similar benefits, the decision to execute a certain action is dependent upon its economic viability.

A Heuristic to Maximize the Net Present Value for Resource-Constrained Project-Scheduling Problems

The objective of this research was to schedule project activities based on maximum net present value (NPV) and minimum duration. A new hybrid heuristic based on the combination of minimum late start (MLS) and shortest processing time (SPT) priority-rules heuristics was developed. The new late start and shortest processing time (LSSPT) heuristic was tested using 60 problems of the Patterson set, and results compared with 4 other heuristics. To test all 5 previous heuristics, 5 computer programs were developed. Statistical analysis was performed. Results indicate that the new heuristic produced better and encouraging results.

A decision support system for bank location selection

As the number and size of variables in any business increase, the decision makers must choose among a larger number of alternatives with more constraints. The decision to establish a bank in a new area is a strategic one with many quantifiable and subjective variables. The decision has great influence on bank returns and image. This research objective was to build a decision support system (DSS) to help the decision makers in the banking industry select the most promising bank location in the Amman area. The system consisted of three elements; a database, a model base, and interface. The database contained information about zoning, population, income, number of commercial and industrial entities, capital, potential growth, number of competitors, and the need for bank existence in the area. The model base contained information and formulas of how to evaluate and judge the different inputs whether quantifiable or subjective. Interaction was facilitated using a dialogue generation management system for interfacing. Excel was used for databases, while Visual Basic was used for interfacing.

A modified revised P-median approach to cell formation

The point of weakness of the revised P-median approach for solving the cell configuration, problem using cluster analysis, is that the optimal number of cells might not be achieved by this approach. The optimal number of cells is the solution, which gives the minimum sum of the number of voids inside the diagonal blocks and number of the ones outside the blocks. This paper presents a modified approach to overcome the point of weakness of the revised P-median approach, by specifying the number of cells in advance, and by controlling the cell size, with lower and/or upper bounds of machines inside the cell.

Developing variant feature model for design by feature

The design engineer requires a better tool than those currently available if he is to fulfil his role effectively in an integrated computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). He needs a system that has advantages of geometric modelling that quickly respond to changes in the manufacturing engineer ideas in a complete form. This paper proposes a new approach based on the concept of engineering description for variant feature. The description is achieved by selecting, from defined models, typical component features. This research introduces three different types of variant feature models. They serve as commands for simple and compound feature creation of different shape, size and type. The first model is a through taper pocket, the second model is a through simple pocket, and the third model is a simple through hole. These models introduce flexible procedures to generate feature shapes.

A Comprehensive Project Risk Management Framework for Today’s Dynamic Environment

A comprehensive risk management framework (RMF) was developed and introduced to help management deal with the project risks in today’s changing world using a well-defined process. Several projects were analyzed to determine their causes of failure and identify risk elements. The RMF consisted of six phases; project identification, risk identification, risk assessment, response development, contingency planning, and implementation and control. Each process must be tailored to the particular circumstances of the project and of the organization undertaking it. The RMF treated risks in a structured process starting by identifying the project and the potential risks, assessing these risks and responding to each risk. Using such an approach management can identify potential risks that may affect the project and respond proactively. The developed framework is comprehensive and applicable for any project type.Copyright

Repetitive Project Modelling With Penalty and Incentive

Repetitive construction activities have the same activities which are performed repeatedly. Repetitive projects include: pipelines, highways, and multi-story buildings. Repetitive projects have been modelled widely using the traditional network techniques although, they have some disadvantages. Furthermore, different approached have been developed for repetitive activities including the graphical and analytical techniques. The objective of this research is to add new enhancements on an approach called Repetitive Project Model (RPM) which is related to the repetitive construction projects. The enhancements incorporating the incentives and penalties within the RPM. This model incorporates a network technique, a graphical technique, and an analytical technique. A numerical example was demonstrated in this research paper to aid on using the suggested model in the real-life application.

Buffer Sizing Methods to Compare Critical Chain Project Management with Critical Path

Critical Chain Project Management CCPM provided a tangible progress to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. The critical chain project management CCPM differs from the traditional Critical Path Method CPM which includes never changing resource dependencies. CCPM improves the project plan by aggregating uncertainty into buffers at the end of activity paths. In this research, one hundred twenty random projects were generated and analyzed using Microsoft Project software according to the traditional CPM and the CCPM once using the sum of squares SSQ method and another using the cut & past C&PM method. CCPM-SSQ method revealed an average savings of 13% and 43% in duration and cost, with a standard deviation of 21 and 11 for duration and cost respectively. While the CCPM-C&PM method revealed an average overestimation of about 2% in duration and 43% savings in cost, with a standard deviation of 25 and 11 for duration and cost respectively.