Modelling of building production activities for multifacility projects

A multifacility construction planning model, based on the Line of Balance Method is presented. It was developed for use by construction firms facing shortages of production resources and varying facility delivery schedules. The model facilitates expedient updates of firm's production schedules by shifting resources between high and low priority work across multiple facilities under construction. This ability is particularly useful on large development projects in centralized economies, but may also clearly benefit construction firms in market-driven economies when the demand for construction services is high and frequent shortages of qualified labour, materials, equipment and other supplies occur. The approach developed by this model has been tested on various multifacility housing and industrial construction projects in Central Europe. A microcomputer program incorporating the model has been developed to simulate the impact of shifting work activity between various project facilities and to ensure meeting the firm's resource constraints.