Computer-aided parametric planning (CAPP)

Today's challenge of fast technological advances and global competition requires a shift in our planning paradigm. The "same old way" simply does not bring about the necessary results. Our paradigm must change to reflect this. Continuous improvement of the planning process is essential to achieve success. Research indicates that the key to project success is to invest quality time in systematic planning at an early stage. Yet, we have relied upon mostly unstructured and manual formation of plans. Existing scientific planning techniques (i.e. Critical Path Method) are scheduling tools for analysis rather than plan generation. They manipulate data provided by planners not the knowledge used in generating project plans. Unlike estimating, where past project data are frequently utilized in formation of quick estimates, planning data from previous jobs are rarely documented or used as a reference. This study introduces a systematic planning model to guide the end user to conceptualize the planning process and prepare quick and reliable conceptual plans based on similar projects completed in the past. The study provides a framework to capture historical data, synthesize it, and identify the parameters, milestones, and major activities that affect timing, sequencing, and overall planned duration of a project. This framework will serve as the basis for an inference engine module that can be utilized in linking past project data to the present. The model is based on the parametric concept and referred to as the Computer Aided Parametric Planning or CAPP.