Progressing against the Mean Curve

Hi George,



I remember the term "Mean Curve" from the 1970’s, when I worked in the UK/Norway fabrication yards building Jackets & Modules for the North Sea. This was when we used to "hand crank" the arrow diagrams, manually do the forward/backward pass and then calculate/hand draw the histograms/S’Curves.



The Client would try to have the work progressed against the Early Curve and the Fabricators would naturally want to the Late Curve. The early curve being not acceptable to the Fabricator due to resouces/costs and the latter not been acceptable to the Client for completion /deliver dates.



In order to get the job done both parties would compromise and the "Mean Curve" would be the addopted as the curve to use. The planners would then "schedule" the work within the Early and Late Cuves envelopes and produce a "Mean Curve", hopefully acceptable to both parties. All three curves would appear on the charts and actuals / trends identified etc.



It sounds like your Contractor has "forgotten" to schedule the work to reflect his curve, if he so wishes to try and use an Early schedule best of luck to him as he will need it.



Regards



John

Hi George,



You have to understand the culture of the place you worked. As you said, a lot of politic, or whatever etc.. I worked in Malaysia in the construction boom way back 1994 to 1996.



You don’t have to worry whatever curve the contractor will us in progressing. The fact that they sidelined early start for the reason "planning to fail .." shows only the weakness of the contractor. Rest assured whatever benchmark the contractor will use (baseline programme, revised programme 1,2,3, ...nth x, it will be the same result.



It is very clear your contractor is procrastinating on critical issues and activities.



In my humble opinion, it needs strong leaders with clear vision to attain planning goals and objective. The moment "popinjays or prima madonas or charlatans (persons who talk more and do least or pencil pushers (persons who writes a lot and accomplish nothing)" start to interfer in the execution of construction activities, then and then the result is obvious, if your 30 years experience means a lot to you.



The best you can do is enjoy the sun in Terrenganu. To exhuast your frustration, go wildlife adventure in the forest of Pahang (search for elephants, maybe some tigers) or go to relaxing in TIOMAN ISLAND. Avoid the casino in Genting Highland.



During office follow the golden rul: he who own the gold makes the rule,



So whatever you find non-traditional approach by the contractor, whisper it to the ear of the person who own the gold.



Cheers,



charlie

Hello George Gray,



From your post, i think you have a clear understanding of this issue.



"this is a smokescreen to make the contractor look good"



to the contractor, the early date is difficult to achieve or not economical. That’s why they don’t want use early curve.



in my opinion, reject the schedule, and let them re-submit.(but i think if the late date meet the requirements of the contract, they will not do it)



Maybe you have to try this "mean curve" for this project, it’s not too bad.



BTW I never heard this "mean curve" before, if i’m working for contractor,may be i’ll try it.