<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Even though horizontally linear projects have low complexity schedules, they are still not successful in meeting planned time. The deadlines are mostly based on estimations done in front-end project development when limited data are available. Early time estimation models in literature rely on few variables and, almost in all cases, one of them is the estimated cost. Early cost estimations can significantly deviate from actual costs and thus lead to unreliable time estimation. Time estimation models based on neural network and other alternative methods require databases and software, which complicates the process of time estimation. The purpose of this paper is to bridge the gap of scarce time estimation models and unreliable time estimates by developing a new method for time estimation. This research has been done on one large sewer system project. The case study shows how to extract several continuous activities for a pipeline project chosen from a sewer system. Moreover, a new algorithm for the calculation of project duration is devised based on the existing equation related to the linear scheduling method, and this algorithm works with continuous activities. The new method for construction time estimation is based on the extraction of linear continuous activities, usage of the algorithm for identification of minimal buffer between activities, and calculation of the project duration. To verify the algorithm, this method is used on another pipeline project from a sewer system. The limitation is that this method can be used only for base estimation. Further research needs to be done to include uncertainties and risks in the method.</p>
</abstract>

Even though horizontally linear projects have low complexity schedules, they are still not successful in meeting planned time. The deadlines are mostly based on estimations done in front-end project development when limited data are available. Early time estimation models in literature rely on few variables and, almost in all cases, one of them is the estimated cost. Early cost estimations can significantly deviate from actual costs and thus lead to unreliable time estimation. Time estimation models based on neural network and other alternative methods require databases and software, which complicates the process of time estimation. The purpose of this paper is to bridge the gap of scarce time estimation models and unreliable time estimates by developing a new method for time estimation. This research has been done on one large sewer system project. The case study shows how to extract several continuous activities for a pipeline project chosen from a sewer system. Moreover, a new algorithm for the calculation of project duration is devised based on the existing equation related to the linear scheduling method, and this algorithm works with continuous activities. The new method for construction time estimation is based on the extraction of linear continuous activities, usage of the algorithm for identification of minimal buffer between activities, and calculation of the project duration. To verify the algorithm, this method is used on another pipeline project from a sewer system. The limitation is that this method can be used only for base estimation. Further research needs to be done to include uncertainties and risks in the method.

Method for Base Estimation of Construction Time for Linear Projects in Front-end Project Phases

Organization, Technology and Management in Construction: an International Journal

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Even though horizontally linear projects have low complexity schedules, they are still not successful in meeting planned time. The deadlines are mostly based...

Method for Base Estimation of Construction Time for Linear Projects in Front-end Project Phases

Article Category: Research Paper

Published Online: Jan 29, 2021

Page range: 2312 - 2326

Received: Dec 24, 2019

Accepted: Sep 17, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/otmcj-2018-0026

Keywords
construction time estimation, linear projects, method, algorithm

© 2021 Ivana Burcar Dunovic et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Method for Base Estimation of Construction Time for Linear Projects in Front-end Project Phases

Article Category: Research Paper

Published Online: Jan 29, 2021

Page range: 2312 - 2326

Received: Dec 24, 2019

Accepted: Sep 17, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/otmcj-2018-0026

Keywordsconstruction time estimation, linear projects, method, algorithm

© 2021 Ivana Burcar Dunovic et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
construction time estimation, linear projects, method, algorithm