A Simulation Model for Life Cycle Project Management

Abstract

This paper puts forward a simulation model specifically designed for holistic evaluation of project functionality within a life cycle project management framework. The authors describe a methodology for development of the aforementioned tool, referred to as a dynamic simulation modeling system (DSMS). The DSMS is geared toward modeling of service and manufacturing processes with hierarchical and modular modeling methodology; however, the underlying philosophy can be adopted for modeling any generic system. The enhanced modeling features and logical division of large systems into small process components and their internal linkage are the key contributions of this work. The aim of this development is to apply the simulation technique in order to evaluate the overall project functionalities from the dynamic business perspective. A set of business objective functions (i.e., life cycle objective function [LCOF]) has been employed as a basis for decision making throughout the project's life. Object-oriented programming language with the object-oriented database technology facilitates the necessary model capability. A brief case study has been used to demonstrate and discuss the model capability.

Developing an integrated management system for optimising project options

“…Indeed, over the life of a significant project, one might expect to undertake repeated cycles of analysis and replanning, given the dynamic environment typical on most projects. Whole of life financial modelling and analysis has already been researched and well developed (Jaafari and Manivong, 1999;Manivong, 2000;Doloi, 2003;Doloi and Jaafari, 2002a, b;Jaafari and Doloi, 2002). Concept modelling of the overall satisfaction level and overall benefit point values in the context of an integrated system has been the focus in this paper.…”

“…Along with the vast amount of information developed on capital projects, there are many different types of information produced, such as plain text messages, report documents, computer aided design (CAD) documents, etc. However, value of an appropriate project management information system (PMIS) in managing project complexities is much higher than managing simply the information on projects (Jaafari and Doloi, 2002). Over last few decades, tends in PMIS development has been coupled with the information technology (IT) development.…”

A Simulation Based Approach for Designing Optimum Configuration of Complex Processes Influencing Project Level Decisions in Construction Industry

“…Thus initial planning must concentrate on building viable planning bases for each principal subsystems in the context of life cycle planning of projects [14]. In the case of strategic planning, one takes a set of fixed interests, juxtaposes them within a fixed environment (or world, or set of conditions), and then invents a strategy for attaining one's interests given the constraints imposed by the environment [8].…”

“…The process of selecting best project option is facilitated by the simulation technology. The projects are broken down in smaller products and process models are constructed incorporating operational scenarios for simulation analysis [8] [9]. The outcome of simulation forms the basis for evaluation of the suboptimal configuration against the target LCOFs of the project.…”

Earth Dam Construction Simulation Considering Stochastic Rainfall Impact

“…Additionally, some project‐level simulation methods have been established based on CYCLONE, including CIPROS (Odeh et al., ) and PICCASO (Senior and Halpin, ). Moreover, some other types of construction simulation methods have been established, including user‐oriented construction simulation (Oloufa, ), resource‐based simulation (Shi and AbouRizk, ), Simphony (Hajjar and AbouRizk, ), and hierarchical and modular modeling methodology (Jaafari and Kumar‐Doloi, ).…”