Incorporation of alternatives and importance levels in scheduling complex construction programs

A complex construction program usually consists of a group of interrelated projects with different levels of importance and degrees of certainty. Currently, time management of a construction program uses the same techniques as those for a single project, and the most commonly used technique is the critical path method (CPM). However, the CPM method lacks flexibility in handling uncertainties and options, a desirable feature in managing complex programs. This paper proposes a new scheduling method that is drawn from the authors' experiences of managing a large-scale construction program - the Shanghai Expo facility construction. The new method is developed on the basis of the traditional CPM method but is able to incorporate options and importance levels into the program schedule. The theoretical basis and calculation method of this new scheduling technique are discussed in the context of managing the Shanghai Expo facility construction program. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge in construction management by developing a new scheduling technique with proven applications.