Tomasz Błaszczyk

The Bi-Criterial Approach to Project Cost and Schedule Buffers Sizing

The aim of this research was the trial of modelling and optimizing the time-cost trade-offs in project planning problem with taking into account the behavioral impact of performers’ (or subcontractors’) estimations of basic activity parameters. However, such a model must include quantitative measurements of budget and duration, so we proposed to quantify and minimize the apprehension of their underestimations. The base of the problem description contains both safe and reasonable amounts of work estimations and the influence factors matrix. We assumed also the pricing opportunity of performance improving. Theoretical considerations were examined in several examples solved in spreadsheet environment.

Project Scheduling with Fuzzy Cost and Schedule Buffers

The aim of this research was the trial of modelling and optimizing the time-cost trade-offs in project planning problem with taking into account the behavioral impact of performers’ (or subcontractors’) estimations of basic activity parameters. However, such a model must include quantitative measurements of budget and duration, so we proposed to quantify and minimize the apprehension of their underestimations. The base of the problem description contains both safe and reasonable amounts of work estimations and the influence factors matrix. We assumed also the pricing opportunity of performance improving. Finally we introduce fuzzy measurements for work amount. This paper is a revised, extended version of Blaszczyk et al. 2011, presented on the World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science 2011.

Contracting Decisions in Project Management – An Outline of the Dedicated Decision Support System

In this paper we describe partial results of the research focused on the improvement of the decision-making quality and control in the project contracts management in concurrent environment. Bearing in mind the diversity of interdependences between the stakeholders involved in the project and their decisions, our considerations are embedded in the complex systemic process model introduced by one of the most popular project management methodologies. Here we propose the improved process of project contractors selection associated with the contract type selection and work distribution. The model of this process is developed with the ability to use in the environment with multiple contractors and their sub- contractors on the one of more levels.

Models Supporting Project Subcontractors Selection for Main Types of Contracts

Depending on your view of the allocation of risk between the project owner and contractor use are three main types of contracts. In this paper, we analyze the problem optimal selection of subcontractors in the case of the application a fixed price, cost-plus and time and materials contracts. Models described in the article can be found applicable in the relations between the project owner and the contractor and between the contractor and subcontractors. As a methodological basis we use the multi-criterial decision model assigning each task to specific contractors (subcontractors) in the project with the function of distribution of penalties arising from delayed completion and potential benefits in the event of early project termination.

Examination the Usefulness of Selected Classification Methods in the Pre-Qualification of Construction Contractors

For most of projects, including major infrastructure enterprises a key success factor is an appropriately selected general contractor. In addition to technical and organizational criteria the assessment of its financial capacity is strongly important to provide liquidity to the cash flows of the project. Unfortunately, the practical experience of the construction market during the economic downturn shows that many projects have been delayed or suspended as a result of the bankruptcy of general contractors. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of studies on the use of Partial Least Square, Fisher Linear Discriminant, Support Vector Machine methods, and the authors’ proprietary approach to the Extraction by Applying Weighted Criterion of Difference Scatter Matrices (EWCDSM) for the pre-qualification of potential contractors. The study included an ex post evaluation of selected large construction companies, operated in Poland by reference the fact of their bankruptcy or maintain the market to historical financial data for the prior year period. Then, for the same set of data the authors performed the identification of companies at risk of bankruptcy. The results obtained are confronted with the actual condition of the surveyed companies. Proposed operating models have been validated on publicly available financial data of construction companies listed on the Polish Stock Exchange. KEywoRdS Classification, Contractors Pre-Qualification, Extraction by Applying Weighted Criterion of Difference Scatter Matrices, Feature Extraction, Fisher Linear Discriminant, Partial Least Square, Project Procurement, Support Vector Machine

Complete Bid Configuration. Supporting the Process from the Perspective of the General Contractor

This paper is a summary of work on the construction of the optimization model for decision-makers implementing projects in which the issue is the involvement of external contractors. Using the results of our current works on optimization approaches to the problem of contractors selection with the use of incentive mechanisms, we propose an outline of a comprehensive decision support system (DSS). The practical aim is to enable support for both project owners and contractors in the decision of any sub-contractors at the lower levels of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).

On the Support of the General Contractor’s Decisions in the Processes of Event Project Management

The Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI, 2012) is a project management methodology that is known and used worldwide. This methodology describes the decision-making processes in the ten knowledge areas of project management inter alia project integration management, project scope management, project time management, project cost management, project quality management, and project risk management. Another area is a group of project processes connected with procurement management. From the point of view of the contractual relationship, the project may occur if both the client and the provider are contracting for goods and services. In the first of these cases, we will address contract management processes, and, in the second case, we will address procurement management processes. In a situation in which the agreement seems to be beneficial to the contractor, but he or she is not able to provide sufficient resources for its implementation or the knowledge, experience, and technology are not sufficient, the contractor will be considered for the purchase of selected scopes of work with external contractors. The structure of the PMBOK Guide processes is based on a systemic approach that determines the range of the input data in the sphere of implementation tools of individual processes and their results.

Selection of sub-contractors of the project while minimizing settlements of contractual penalties and success fees

Most of todays projects are interdisciplinary and requires the involvement of contractors that specialize in different types of works. In various circumstances, it may be advisable to minimize their multiplicity or their diversification. In some cases it may be desirable to meet certain characteristics by contractors for selected tasks. The aim of this paper is to determine the model of selection of contractors in complex project from the point of view of the project owner or general contractor. As a methodological basis we use the multi-criterial decision model assigning each task to specific contractors in the project with the function of distribution of penalties arising from delayed completion and potential benefits in the event of early termination of the project.

The application of the even-swap-based scoring system to the selection of the heating source in house building projects

In this paper, we present the mechanism of scoring alternatives based on the even-swap method. The mechanism we propose derives from the notion of additive scoring systems that are commonly used in multiple criteria decision-making. In contrast to the classic approach, we use the notion of aggregated equivalent amounts defined in the even-swap procedure. This allows to determine the global scores of alternatives that can be easily interpreted and compared by a decision-maker, since they are natural and intuitive, e.g., price. We modify the original even-swap algorithm, which enables us to construct a scoring system and to find the ranking of all alternatives by means of single non-artificial criterion. In this paper, we apply the algorithm of the modified approach to the problem of selecting the heating source for an individual house building project.

New formal approach to project critical buffer

This research focus on the problem of modeling and optimizing the time-cost trade-offs in project planning problem with taking into account the behavioral impact of planned human resources. As a distinct from the original Goldratt conception and heretofore research results and known applications we proposed an approach taking advantage not only from task duration overestimations, but primarily from overestimations of amounts of work expected to its completion. Proposed problem description contains both safe and reasonable amounts of work estimations. At the recent stage of research we introduced the influence factors matrix with the possibility of flexible resources assignment. The model uses a mechanism of motivating the resources through the creation of bonus fund from the pool of savings. Theoretical considerations are illustrated by the numerical example.