DETERMINATION OF CRITICAL PATH IN FUZZY NETWORK DIAGRAMS
Date Issued
2023-09
Author(s)
Lazarevska Marijana
Gacevski Vasko
Abstract
The classical critical path method (CPM) is characterized by a deterministic expression of the duration
of activities in the network plan. When it comes to planning projects in the field of construction, it is
especially difficult, and in some cases even impossible, to accurately predict or determine the duration
of certain activities. The occurrence of uncertainty and inaccuracy in the duration of construction
activities entails an imprecise determination of the total duration of the project's implementation.
Often, in practice, there is a need for modelling of risks and uncertainties. This need arises from the fact
that sometimes, depending on the specificity of the conditions in which certain construction activities
are carried out, they cannot be defined with a precisely determined duration. The time of execution of
the activities is usually conditioned by the uncertainty of the factors that have an impact on the activity.
This is precisely why there is a need to apply fuzzy numbers in the process of planning and project
management.
This paper presents one example of application of Fuzzy logic in the process of planning and
management of construction projects. The duration of construction activities is being analyzed in
conditions of uncertainty and risk. Planning of construction process in cases where the durations of the
activities, as part of the project, are given as fuzzy numbers is especially convenient in conditions of
uncertainty and risk due to the great subjectivity that occurs during their assessment.
Furthermore, this paper deals with the application of Fuzzy network planning technique. An overview
of different procedures and methods for calculation of earliest and latest duration time of project
activities will be given, and one specific method will be applied for determination of the critical path in
fuzzy network diagram. The results of the conducted analyses show that this method can provide more
realistic results thus more reliable planning of the construction time for the whole project.
of activities in the network plan. When it comes to planning projects in the field of construction, it is
especially difficult, and in some cases even impossible, to accurately predict or determine the duration
of certain activities. The occurrence of uncertainty and inaccuracy in the duration of construction
activities entails an imprecise determination of the total duration of the project's implementation.
Often, in practice, there is a need for modelling of risks and uncertainties. This need arises from the fact
that sometimes, depending on the specificity of the conditions in which certain construction activities
are carried out, they cannot be defined with a precisely determined duration. The time of execution of
the activities is usually conditioned by the uncertainty of the factors that have an impact on the activity.
This is precisely why there is a need to apply fuzzy numbers in the process of planning and project
management.
This paper presents one example of application of Fuzzy logic in the process of planning and
management of construction projects. The duration of construction activities is being analyzed in
conditions of uncertainty and risk. Planning of construction process in cases where the durations of the
activities, as part of the project, are given as fuzzy numbers is especially convenient in conditions of
uncertainty and risk due to the great subjectivity that occurs during their assessment.
Furthermore, this paper deals with the application of Fuzzy network planning technique. An overview
of different procedures and methods for calculation of earliest and latest duration time of project
activities will be given, and one specific method will be applied for determination of the critical path in
fuzzy network diagram. The results of the conducted analyses show that this method can provide more
realistic results thus more reliable planning of the construction time for the whole project.
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