Highway project

Vladimir,

I agree with all you say.

I would be interested to know what software you use for time chainage and line of balance and what features you find most useful. I produce a planning application called "TimeChainage" and I am always interested to know what users want most from time chainage software as this helps me with development of TimeChainage.

Peter,

time chainage (time-location, line of balance, etc.) is an excellent graphical view.

Gantt Chart is another view that have own advantages (more information about activity properties and dependencies may be shown).

Both are valuable when show the schedules that take into account all existing constraints.

Creating project from the time chainage view you still need to enter resource crews, resource productivity, material requirements. costs, all restrictions (like financing schedule) and calculate project schedule that satisfies all constraints and is as short as possible (optimization).

For some data entry time chainage approach is convenient, for other data no.

But we use linear diagrams (our name for time chainage) not only for linear projects. You can define any project metrics like (stage 1, stage 2, etc.) and an approach will work.

I agree that a good project model is important and my arguement is that planning in time chainage format helps achieve this aim. Being more graphical than bar charts, a time chainage can better help you plan the sequence of works as you can "see" the whole project on a time chainage chart. This of course only really applies to linear/repetitive works such as highways, tunnelling, pipelines etc and will not suit all types of work.

Peter,

what do you mean by Gantt Chart tool?

Gantt Chart, Network Diagram, Time-Location Chart are different presentations of the same project model.

Good project model shall take into account all project constraints including resource, supply and financing restrictions.

Creatoing good project model is the problem, publication is not.

Sunil,

Once you have established progroduction rates, I would recommend using a good time chainage application to create an overall programme before starting with Primavera (or whatever gantt chart tool you use). The reason is that a time chainage can show a whole project on a single sheet and can highlight any conflicts where two tasks may be happening at the same time and in the same place. Highway works are ideal for presenting in time chainage format and an overall time chainage programme can be produced very quickly. Once you happy with the time chainage, then create a detailed gantt chart using the logic you have just established.

"TimeChainage" is one such application you may wish to investigate. For more details see:   www.timechainage.co.uk

Peter

Hi Olueseoun

Wise advice - welcome to planning planet.

Best regards

Mike Testro

My opinion is that someone who is tasked to plan a highway, must have good knowledge and background in highway construction and planning.