AspenIcarusMpwrProdExpt2006 5-Usr PDF

Manpower
Productivity Expert
Copyright
Version Number: 2006.5
October 2007
Copyright © 2007 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Preface
anpower Productivity Expert (MPE) is ICARUS' expert application

that assists in estimating the field manpower productivity for a
construction project. MPE includes knowledge of base productivities for
many worldwide locations and methods/procedures for determining a
reasonable field manpower productivity, including considerations for:
• Project type and size

• Field manpower source
• Site conditions
• Safety requirements
• Manpower density
• Laydown area management
• Contractor information
• Engineering
• Economic conditions
• User-defined considerations
• And much more.
With an MPE report, you can confidently estimate your manpower

productivity for a site or confirm data from an independent source. In
addition, MPE is perfect for determining field manpower productivities for
use with ICARUS' estimating systems — QuestimateTM, ICARUS 2000TM,
COST®, and ARCHES®.
About the Productivity Basis

Productivity is determined from responses to a series of questions. As more
information becomes available, the details of the project can be entered and
new reports can be generated and analyzed. In addition, project data can be
rerun to study the impact of alternatives.
iv Scope of Document
MPE productivity is calculated as a percentage, based on the following

characteristics:
Category Characteristics
Productivity Base US Gulf Coast or UK Northwest
Field Manpower 42 minute working hour

Unionized
From local area
Eight hour workday
Five day workweek
Five to ten years of construction experience
Project Medium size job (approximately 100,000 man-hours)

Grass roots project
Proven design
Contract International contractor

Cost plus type contract
Construction management by independent firm
Economy Local and national economy is good
Site Conditions Conditions are average

65° to 75° Fahrenheit average temperature
Less than 60% humidity
Laydown area within job site
Laydown area is fenced with round-the-clock
watchmen
One hour commute to job site.
About the MPE Application

The MPE application was developed using ICARUS Mentor, ICARUS'
expert system development tool. MPE contains the collective knowledge
of numerous cost engineers and construction experts. After interviewing
experienced cost engineers and construction experts, the obtained
knowledge was organized using Mentor's knowledge description and
procedure language. The organized information was then used to create
MPE. Using MPE is just like consulting with the experts.
Scope of Document
This document is designed as a reference tool for MPE. Don't sit and read
this document from cover-to-cover. It isn't meant for that. This document
is best used when you have a question about system usage.
Preface v
This document assumes:
• The MPE system is properly installed.
Installation and computer troubleshooting procedures are not covered

in this document.
• You are familiar with the graphical interface.
If you are not familiar with the graphical interface or using a mouse,
refer to the Microsoft Windows User's Guide. You only need to know
the basics to get started.
• You are familiar with construction site productivity.
MPE will not teach you how to estimate productivity for a construction
site. Instead, MPE enhances your experience and expert knowledge to
estimate productivity.
The best way to familiarize yourself with the system is to use it. If you
have any questions about MPE, contact ICARUS for technical support.
How to Use This Document

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Tips. This symbol flags For easy reference, symbols are used in the margin throughout this
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sources of information.
A Note to MPE Users

Like the MPE system, this document was designed using your ideas and
suggestions. If you have any questions or comments regarding this
document, please contact ICARUS. Your comments are important to us.
vi
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction to MPE

Starting MPE ................................................................................ 1-3
Entering Construction Project Factors ........................................... 1-4
Productivity Reports and Project Data Files .................................. 1-5
Chapter 2: Developing Productivity Estimates

The MPE Strategy ........................................................................ 2-3
Developing a Productivity Estimate .............................................. 2-3
Developing Alternatives for a Productivity Estimate ..................... 2-7
Chapter 3: Customizing MPE

Customizing the MPE Application ................................................ 3-3
Using Passwords ........................................................................... 3-4
Customizing Locations ................................................................. 3-5
Customizing Factors ..................................................................... 3-13
Appendix A: Using the Menu Bar

Introduction to the Menu Bar ........................................................ A-3
The Run Menu .............................................................................. A-3
The Tools Menu............................................................................ A-4
The Options Menu ........................................................................ A-7
The Font Menu ............................................................................. A-11
The F1=Help Menu....................................................................... A-13
Appendix B: License Agreement ........................ B-3

viii Table of Contents
Glossary .................................................................................. G-1
Index .......................................................................................... I-1

Chapter
Introduction
to MPE
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AAAAAAAA his chapter introduces the Manpower Productivity Expert (MPE)
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AAAAAAAA User's Guide for further application, including information on starting MPE, entering
information on basic Windows
usage. productivity specifications, and the reports and files generated by MPE.
Starting MPE .................................................................................. 1-3
Entering Construction Project Factors .......................................... 1-4
Productivity Reports and Project Data Files ................................. 1-5
Productivity Reports ...........................................................1-6

Project Data Files ...............................................................1-7
1-2
Chapter 1: Introduction to MPE 1-3
Starting MPE
When the MPE application is installed, a MPE group is created in the
Windows' Program Manager.
To start MPE:
1. Double-click on the Manpower Productivity Expert icon.
The Manpower Productivity Expert window appears and begins its

initial processing.
AAAAAAAA
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Run
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2. Select Run Application from the Run menu.
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Application
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About
Exit
The MPE Options dialog box appears.
1-4 Entering Productivity Specifications
2. Choose an option.
Option To do this
Develop Productivity for Site Develop field manpower productivity for

a new construction site.
Process Project Data File Develop field manpower productivity

using a project data file, originally
developed during a previous consultation
with MPE.
Customize MPE Add/modify MPE factors and/or

locations.
These options are described in chapters 2 and 3.
Entering Construction Project Factors

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User's Guide for information Microsoft Windows. However, if you have never used a mouse or
on basic Windows usage.
Microsoft Windows — don't worry, it's easy. You only need to know the
basics to get started.
MPE consists of a series of dialog boxes requesting you to enter

information or to select an item. For example, the following dialog box
requests the name of the site.
The dialog boxes include one or more of the following buttons:
Button To do this
AAAAAAAA Continue processing using the specified item/entry.

AAAAAAAA Double-clicking on an item
AAAAAAAA
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item and choosing .
Continue processing, but disregard this question in determining
productivity.
Access on-line help.
Respond affirmative to the specified question and/or to continue

processing.
Respond negative to the specified question.
Productivity Reports and Project Data Files

After completing a consultation, MPE produces the following results:
Result To do this
AAAA
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sets of productivity reports for the construction site. In addition, the report
and project data files —
CASE1, CASE2, and CASE3. shows how MPE estimated the productivity.
Use these samples to
familiarize yourself with the Project data file Display the factors and values used to estimate the
results produced by MPE. field manpower productivity for the construction
site. In addition, the project data file can be edited
and used to develop a new productivity report.
A more detailed description of the productivity report and project data file
follows.
1-6 Productivity Reports and Project Data Files
Productivity Reports
AAAAAAAA
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AAAAAAAA automatically given a “.DOC” development of the field manpower productivity for the specified
file extension to distinguish
them from other files. construction project. The productivity report includes:
Item Explanation
Site The construction project site.
Productivity The estimated productivity for the construction project.
Confidence The system's confidence in the productivity.

(The confidence in the productivity, considering the
quantity and quality of the user-entered values.)
Report Prepared The date and time that the report was generated.
Factor The factors considered by MPE.
Value The user-entered values for each factor.
Effect The effect of the user-entered values for each factor.
Cumulative The cumulative effect of the user-entered values on the

productivity.
Notes Specific notes pertaining to the MPE consultation.
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA The typical productivity report A typical MPE productivity report is shown on the facing page.
AAAAAAAA
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with MPE.
Saving Productivity Reports
Productivity reports are saved at the end of a consultation with MPE. After
viewing the report, MPE asks if you want to save the productivity report.
If you choose to save the productivity report, you are asked to specify a file
name from 1 to 8 alphanumeric characters. The file is automatically given
a “.DOC” file extension to distinguish it from other files.
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Saving an unwanted If you choose not to save the productivity report, the report is temporarily
AAAAAAAA productivity report to a
AAAAAAAA saved to a file called REPORT.DOC until the next consultation, at which
AAAAAAAA temporary file (REPORT.DOC)
is helpful if you change your time the file is overwritten.
mind after choosing not to
save the report.
Viewing and Printing Productivity Reports
Use either the Display a File or Notepad option from the Tools menu to
view and print the productivity report. Refer to Appendix A for a
description of the Display a File and Notepad options.
Site Site: Petrochemical Plant - Project 531
Productivity Estimated construction field manpower productivity is 60 percent.

Confidence in productivity Confidence in estimated productivity is 74 percent.
Date & time Report Prepared: Monday August 2, 1993 at 13:45
Cumulative
Effect ================================================================================
Productivity
Value
Factors and Values (percent)
Factor ======================================================= ==================
No. Factor Value Effect Cumulative
=== ============================ ========================= ====== ==========
1 Productivity basis US Gulf Coast +100.0 100.0
2 Geographic Area Central America NS 100.0
3 Construction site location Panama -46.3 53.7
4 Project category Petrochemical/Oil Refining
NS 53.7
The factors in the productivity 5 Type of construction project Petrochemical Plant +9.0 62.8
report are numbered, down 6 Facility Type Grassroots NS 62.8
the left hand side, for easy 7 Manpower organization Field Manpower Is Unionized
NS 62.8
reference. 8 Average construction experience of workforce (years)
2 NS 62.8
9 Driving time (commuting time) from accommodations to site (hours)
1 NS 62.8
10 Catering provided by contractor
All meals are provided by contractor
+3.6 66.3
11 Hours per shift 8 NS 66.3
12 Workdays (days/week) 5 NS 66.3
13 Shifts per day One NS 66.3
14 Estimated field manhours 3000000 -9.3 57.0
15 Construction schedule (weeks)
86 NS 57.0
16 Average temperature (Degrees F)
78 NS 56.5
17 Humidity (percent) 85 -1.9 54.7
18 Site conditions Good +0.7 55.3
19 Peak manpower loading (men) 1237 NS 55.3
20 Site area (square feet) 300000 NS 55.3
21 Manpower density (Square Feet/Man)
242 NS 55.3
22 Laydown area location Within job site NS 55.3
23 Laydown area management Round the clock watchman manned fence
NS 55.3
24 Contractor type International NS 55.3
25 Contract type Cost plus NS 55.3
26 Projects completed satisfactorily by contractor
0 NS 55.3
27 Contractor workload (months) 4 NS 54.8
28 Construction Management Independent construction management firm
NS 54.8
29 Manpower supervision Average NS 54.8
30 Equipment definition (percent)
100 NS 54.8
31 Process design type Proven NS 54.8
32 Process Flowsheets (percent) 100 NS 54.8
33 Completion of Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID’s) (percent)
100 NS 54.8
34 Completion of Basic Engineering (percent)
100 NS 54.8
35 Completion of Design Engineering (percent)
100 NS 54.8
36 Completion of Design Drawings (percent)
100 NS 54.8
37 Completion of Procurement (percent)
100 NS 54.8
38 Status of local economy at construction site
Depressed +3.9 58.7
39 Status of national economy in country of construction site
Depressed +1.5 60.2
================================================================================
Notes Notes:
“NS” means that the item is not significant.
A Typical MPE Productivity Report

1-8 Productivity Reports and Project Data Files
Project Data Files

AAAAAAAA
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AAAAAAAA The project data file contains a list of all of the factors and user-responses
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project data file to create a
new productivity report. data file can be edited and used to create another productivity report.
The following is a typical project data file.
AAAAAAAA /* Project Data File Prepared: Monday August 2, 1993 at 13:45 */

AAAAAAAA The typical project data file
AAAAAAAA
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AAAAAAAA
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Object : Project Data
AAAAAAAA Type : Project Specifications
CASE1 example supplied with Name : Petrochemical Plant - Project 531
MPE.
Productivity basis : US Gulf Coast
Geographic Area : Central America
Construction site location : Panama
Project category : Petrochemical/Oil Refining
Type of construction project : Petrochemical Plant
Facility Type : Grassroots
Manpower organization : Field Manpower Is Unionized
Average construction experience of workforce (years) : 2
Driving time (commuting time) from accommodations to site (hours) : 1
Catering provided by contractor : All meals are provided by contractor
Hours per shift : 8
Workdays (days/week) : 5
Shifts per day : One
Estimated field manhours : 3000000
Construction schedule (weeks) : 86
Consider Effects of Site Conditions? : yes
Average temperature (Degrees F) : 78
Humidity (percent) : 85
Site conditions : Good
Consider Safety Requirements? : no
Consider Manpower Density Effects? : yes
Peak manpower loading (men) : 1237
Site area (square feet) : 300000
Manpower density (Square Feet/Man) : 242
Consider Laydown Area Effects? : yes
Laydown area location : Within job site
Laydown area management : Round the clock watchman manned fence
Consider Contractor Related Effects? : yes
Contractor type : International
Contract type : Cost plus
Projects completed satisfactorily by contractor : 0
Contractor workload (months) : 4
Construction Management : Independent construction management firm
Manpower supervision : Average
Consider Effects of Engineering? : yes
Equipment definition (percent) : 100
Process design type : Proven
Process Flowsheets (percent) : 100
Completion of Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID’s) (percent) : 100
Completion of Basic Engineering (percent) : 100
Completion of Design Engineering (percent) : 100
Completion of Design Drawings (percent) : 100
Completion of Procurement (percent) : 100
Consider Effects of Economic Conditions? : yes
Status of local economy at construction site : Depressed
Status of national economy in country of construction site : Depressed
A Typical MPE Project Data File

Saving Project Data Files

AAAAAAAA The “.OB” file extension
AAAAAAAA A project data file is created and saved when the productivity report is
AAAAAAAA
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AAAAAAAA
AAAA stands for “object”, because
AAAAAAAA the project data file is an saved.
object file. Simply stated, an
object file is a group of If you choose to save the productivity report, a project data file is given the
information that when placed same user-defined file name as the productivity report, except with a “.OB”
together form a complete set file extension (instead of a “.DOC” file extension). The file is
of data.
automatically given a “.OB” file extension to distinguish it from other files.
AAAA
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AAAAAAAA Saving an unwanted project If you choose not to save the productivity report, a project data file is
AAAAAAAA
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AAAA data file to a temporary file
AAAAAAAA (ANSWERS.OB) is helpful if temporarily saved to a file called ANSWERS.OB until the next
you change your mind after
consultation, at which time the file is overwritten.
choosing not to save the
report.
Viewing, Editing, and Printing the Project Data File
Use the Notepad option from the Tools menu to view, edit, and/or print the
project data file. Refer to Appendix A for a description of the Notepad
option.
1-10
Chapter
Developing
Productivity Estimates
his chapter describes how to develop site productivity for a

construction site. In addition, this chapter describes how to develop
variations for a productivity estimate.
The MPE Strategy .............................................................................. 2-3
Developing a Productivity Estimate ................................................. 2-3
Step 1: Starting a Consultation ............................................ 2-3

Step 2: Describing Construction Project Factors ................. 2-4
Step 3: Reviewing the Consultation Results ........................ 2-5
Step 4: Saving the Consultation Results .............................. 2-6
Developing Alternatives for a Productivity Estimate ..................... 2-7
Processing a Project Data File ............................................... 2-7

2-2
G1
Chapter 2: Developing Productivity Estimates 2-3
The MPE Strategy

MPE is designed so that productivity estimates for construction sites can be
quickly and easily produced. Since different areas of a project can differ in
productivity, especially large projects with different types of construction
(e.g., process units, roads, offsites, etc.), MPE allows you to re-use
construction project data to develop reports for variations in factors which
effect productivity for the different types of construction.
The following sections describe the MPE strategy of developing

productivity reports and re-using the construction project data to develop
alternatives.
Developing an Estimate of Productiv-

ity Developing an estimate of productivity for a construction site is produced
from user-responses to a series of questions during a consultation with
MPE. The exact sequence of questions depends on the user-responses.
However, the procedure to produce an estimate of productivity include:
Step 1: Starting a consultation

Step 2: Describing construction project factors
Step 3: Reviewing the consultation results
Step 4: Saving the consultation results.
A description of each step follows.
Step 1: Starting a Consultation

Starting a consultation with MPE begins from with the MPE Options
window.
G1
2-4 Developing and Estimate of Productivity
To start a consultation:
1. Select Develop Productivity for Site
2. Choose .
After a consultation is started, MPE prompts for characteristics of the

construction project.
Step 2: Describing Construction Project Factors

After starting a consultation, MPE prompts for information needed to
estimate the manpower productivity. The questions asked depend on the
answers to previous questions. Information is requested by category.
Some of the types of information follows:
Category To identify
General • Site name - name of site.

Information • Productivity base - US Gulf Coast or
UK Northwest.
• Construction site - local workforce
• Project type - chemical processing,
petrochemical/oil refining, pulp and paper,
power generation, environmental, offshore
platform, civil construction, pipeline, other
• Facility type - grassroots, addition to existing
facility, revamp
• Manpower - organization, experience, travel
time to site, hours per shift, number of shifts,
workdays per week, and duration of project.
Site Conditions • Temperature

• Humidity
• Typography
Safety • Safety clothing

Requirements • Work in operating areas
Manpower Density • Square feet per man
Laydown Area • Accessibility

• Management
• Security
Contractor • Contractor type - local, national, international

Information • Contract type - fixed price, cost plus, incentive,
government funded
• Previous contractor performance
• Contractor workload
G1
Category To identify
Engineering • Project definition

Information • Status of engineering
• Procurement of long lead items
Economic • Local economy

Conditions • National economy
Other Information • User-defined factors.
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Refer to Chapter 3 for further After all of the productivity specifications are entered, MPE can estimate
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information about the construction site productivity. During the consultation with MPE, you
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user-defined factors.
can monitor the estimated productivity and your responses to the
questions by watching the Productivity and Questions and Answers
windows.
Typical Productivity and Questions and Answers windows follow.
The Productivity
window displays the
effect of the last
question answered and
the current estimated
productivity.
The Questions and

Answers window
displays the last few
questions asked along
with your responses.
Step 3: Reviewing the Consultation Results

After answering all of MPE's questions, a construction site
productivity is estimated. Then, MPE asks if you wish to display the
report.
G1
2-6 Developing an Estimate of Productivity
To display the report:
• Select to display the report.
Or select to continue processing. (Processing skips to the Report

File Name dialog box for saving the report file to a specified file.)
If is selected, the report appears in a window for review with the

Continue Processing dialog box.
Choose to continue.
After reviewing the productivity report, you are given the opportunity to
assign the report a file name.
Step 4: Saving the Consultation Results

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Refer to Chapter 1 for further After reviewing the productivity report, the Report File Name dialog box
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information about saving appears so that you can assign the report a file name. Saving the report
productivity reports and project
data files. allows for future access and reference. In addition to saving the
productivity report, a project data file is created.
To save report to a specified file name:
1. Enter the specified file name.
Specify a file name with up to 8 alphanumeric characters.
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2. Choose to save the report with the specified file name.
Or choose to not save the report to a specified file name.
If you choose , the following dialog box appears.
This dialog box reminds you that the productivity report is temporarily
saved to a file called REPORT.DOC until the next consultation, at
which time the file is overwritten.
Developing Alternatives for a Productivity Estimate

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AAA shown in Chapter 1.
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AAA saved. The project data file contains all of the questions and answers
(factors) for a consultation and can be used to re-run a consultation with
variations in factors
To change the answers in the project data file, use the Notepad option
from the Tools menu. Refer to Appendix A for a description of the
Notepad option. Factors can be changed by changing an answer or
removing a question and answer so that MPE will reprompt with the
factor. Using the edited project data file, MPE will develop a new produc-
tivity report with the factor variations included. Note that changes to a
project data file may trigger other questions to be asked during consulta-
tion with MPE.
Processing a Project Data File

Processing a project data file includes the same steps as developing a new
productivity estimate:
Step 1: Starting a consultation

Step 2: Describing construction project factors
Step 3: Reviewing the consultation results
Step 4: Saving the consultation results.
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2-8 Developing Alternatives for a Productivity Estimate
The only difference is in starting the consultation, which again begins with
the MPE Options window.
To start a consultation using a project data file:

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Running a consultation using 1. Select Process Project Data File.
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AAA an existing project data file is
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sometimes called“Automatic
Operation”. 2. Choose .
The Project Data File window appears.
3. Select the project data file for which you wish to develop productivity.
4. Choose .
5. MPE processes the project data file, using the specifications in the file
to estimate productivity for a construction site. MPE may prompt for
information already specified for confirmation purposes and/or
addition specifications triggered by different specifications.
The prompting for specifications, viewing the report, and saving the
file are the same as when you select Develop Productivity for a Site.
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Chapter
Customizing MPE
his chapter describes how to customize MPE with your own expert
knowledge of productivity in specific locations and factors.
Customizing the MPE Application ................................................... 3-3
Using Passwords ................................................................................. 3-4
Customizing Locations ....................................................................... 3-5
Adding & Modifying Locations ............................................ 3-6

Listing User-Defined Locations ............................................ 3-10
Deleting User-Defined Locations .......................................... 3-11
Loading Data Files ................................................................ 3-12
Customizing Factors ........................................................................... 3-13
Adding a New Factor ............................................................. 3-14

Listing Factors ....................................................................... 3-16
Deleting Factors ..................................................................... 3-17
3-2
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Chapter 3: Customizing MPE 3-3
Customizing the MPE Application

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If you are using MPE on a The customizing feature of MPE allows you to include your expert
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entire MPE directory into a new
directory on your PC. After
customizing and testing the
changes, copy the entire
directory back to the server.
The customization feature permits you to define two categories of

information:
Category To do this
Locations Modify productivity information for MPE's built-in

locations and add new locations.
Factors Define additional factors (questions) for estimating the

construction site productivity.
Each of these categories are explained later in this chapter.
To customize MPE:
1. Select Customize MPE from the MPE Options window.
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3-4 Using Passwords
2. Select .
To protect the integrity of MPE, the customizing options can be

accessed only after entering a password. The following section
describes the use of passwords in MPE.
Using Passwords
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that only one person make the
modifications. If more than dialog box appears.
one person has access to the
password, some MPE files
could become corrupted if
more than one person tries to
customize MPE
simultaneously.
To access the customization feature:
1. Type the password.

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that you change the password
shortly after installing the MPE all upper-case letters.)
application.
2. Choose .
To change the password:
1. Type change.
2. Choose .
The Password Verification dialog box appears.
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3. Type the current password.
4. Choose .
The Change Password dialog box appears.
5. Enter the new password.
Enter an easy to remember password from 1 to 32 alphanumeric

characters in length. Blank spaces can be used, however, the pass-
word
should not begin with a blank space.
6. Choose .
Customizing Locations
The Customize MPE window includes the following options for
customizing locations.
Option To do this
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Add/Modify Location Add a user-defined location with its associ-
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may be selected when ated
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consulting with MPE by
choosingUser Defined productivity information and/or modify a
Locations when prompted for a system-defined location.
geographic area.
List User Defined List the user-defined locations and display the
Locations associated productivity information for the
location.
Delete User Defined Delete a user-defined location.

Locations
Load Data File Load location information into MPE.
A description of each option follows.
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3-6 Customizing Locations
Adding & Modifying Locations

The Add/Modify Location option allows you to add a user-defined location
with its associated productivity information and/or modify a system-
defined location.
To add/modify location:
1. Select Add/Modify Location from the Customize MPE window.
2. Choose .
The Add/Modify Location dialog box appears.
3. Select Modify Existing Location to modify a system-defined location.
Select Add New Location to add a user-defined.
4. Choose .
If you select Modify Existing Location:
MPE prompts for the location you want to modify.
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5. Select the location you want to modify.
6. Choose .
The Location Data dialog box appears.
If you select Add New Location:
MPE prompts for the name of the location.
5. Type the name of the new location.
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6. Choose .
The Location Data dialog box appears.
The Location Site dialog box allows you to define location

information.
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location is selected while
developing productivity for a The Location Data dialog box includes the following fields:
construction site.
Field To do this
Construction Site If modifying a location, select the location

Location you want to modify.
If adding a location, the specified location

name appears.
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A productivity of 100% Productivity in percent Define productivity from 1 to 120.
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specifies that the productivity
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is the same as the selected
basis (US Gulf Coast or UK Confidence in percent Define confidence in specified productivity
Northwest). as a percentage.
Basis Select US Gulf Coast or UK Northwest.
Average temperature Specify the average temperature (in

Fahrenheit).
Humidity Specify the average humidity in percent.
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8. Choose .
MPE prompts you for a file in which the location information will be
stored.
9. Enter a file name.
The file name can be from 1 to 8 characters with an extension of up to

3 characters, e.g., NEWLOC.MPE. Additionally, the file name must
be
unique to the MPE directory.
10. Choose .
A confirmation dialog box appears confirming that a file has been

created with the location information.
11. Choose .
The Load Data dialog box appears.
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12. Choose to load the location information into the MPE

application.
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If you choose not to load the
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at this time, you can load the
information later using the application.
Load Data File option.
If you select , the Delete Existing Data dialog box appears.
13. Choose to remove all user-defined information from the MPE

application. Only the information that has been loaded will be used
during a consultation.
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particular location, the most
recently loaded set of
the MPE application.
information for any location is
used during a consultation.
Listing User-Defined Locations

The List User Defined Locations option allows you to list the user-
defined locations. In addition, by selecting a user-defined location, the
associated productivity information may be displayed.
To list the user-defined locations:
1. Select List User Defined Locations from the Customize MPE

window.
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2. Choose .
The User Specified Data dialog box appears. A typical list of

user-specified locations follows.
To display the associated productivity information for a location:
1. Select a user-specified location.
2. Choose .
MPE displays the user-defined information associated with the

selected location.
Deleting User-Defined Locations

The Delete User Defined Locations option allows you to remove a
specific user-defined location from the MPE application.
To delete a user-defined location:
1. Select Delete User Defined Locations from the Customize MPE

window.
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2. Choose .
The User Specified Data dialog box appears. A typical list of

user-specified locations follows.
3. Select the user-specified location to be removed from the MPE

application.
4. Choose .
The selected user-specified location is removed from the MPE

application.
Loading Data Files

The Load Data File option allows you to add user-defined locations to the
MPE application.
When adding/modifying locations, you are provided with the option to load
the data. If you choose not to add the location information at that time, the
information can be added to the MPE application using this option.
To load a location data file:
1. Select Load Data File from the Customize MPE window.
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2. Choose .
The Data File Name dialog box appears.
3. Select the file containing the information that you want to load.
4. Choose .
The information from the selected file is loaded into the MPE
application.
Customizing Factors
Up to 48 user-defined factors may be added to MPE to include your
experience in estimating manpower productivity for a construction site.
User defined factors are prompted in the same order as defined after
specifying that you want to consider Other effects.
The Customize MPE window includes the following options for

customizing factors.
Option To do this
Add New Factor Add a new factor for consideration when developing
productivity for a construction site.
List Factors List the user-defined factors and display the associated
productivity information for a selected factor.
Delete Factor Delete a user-defined factor.
A description of each option follows.
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3-14 Customizing Factors
Adding a New Factor

The Add New Factor option allows you to add a new factor for
consideration when developing productivity for a construction site. Up to
48 user-defined factors may specified.
To add a new factor:
1. Select Add New Factor from the Customize MPE window.
2. Choose .
The Add New Factor dialog box appears.
Question
Factor Applies
Cases
3. Define the new factor information and choose .
The Add New Factor dialog box can be divided into the following
categories:
Category To do this
Question Specify the question to be asked of the user.
Factor Applies Specify when the factor should be applied to the

estimated productivity.
Cases Specify allowable answers to the question and the

effect of each response by assigning a productivity
and weight.
A description of each category follows
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Question
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When specifying a question, The Question field allows you to specify the question to be asked of the
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AAA user to determine the factor. The question will appear to the user as
concise. If the user does not
understand a question,
entered. The specified question serves as the factor identifier when listing
chances are the productivity and deleting factors, therefore, be sure that the question is easy to
estimate will not be as understand and recognize, and unique from all other user-defined factor
accurate as it could be. question.
Factor Applies
The Factor Applies field allows you to specify when the factor should be
applied to the estimated productivity. Choose the option appropriate to the
factor.
Option To do this
In all cases Apply the factor to the productivity in all cases.
For decreases Apply the factor to the productivity only when the
factor decreases the estimated productivity.
For increases Apply the factor to the productivity only when the
factor increases the estimated productivity.
Cases
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At least two cases The Case fields allow you to specify the acceptable answer to the question
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AAA and the effect of each response by assigning a productivity and weight.
when defining a factor.
Each response is defined with three fields. A description of the Case fields
follows.
Field To do this
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It is good practice to enter a Value Specify a response to the question. The response will
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AAA decimal number with a leading appear to the user as entered.
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zero (e.g., 0.12).
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In cases when numbers are All values for a factor must be either numerical or text
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not quantities (e.g., number of
shifts), the numbers can be
range and alphabetic text to specify multiple choices.
spelled out.
Productivity Specify the productivity percentage associated with the
value. The entered value must be a number from 1 to 120,
where 100 is equal to the productivity in the basis (US Gulf
Coast or UK Northwest).
Weight Specify the importance of the selected value on the

estimated productivity on a scale from 1 to 10. A value
with a high weight has a bigger impact on the estimated
productivity.
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Listing Factors
The List Factors option allows you to list the user-defined factors and
display the associated productivity information for a selected factor.
To list the user-defined factors:
1. Select List Factors from the Customize MPE window.
2. Choose .
The Special Factors dialog box appears. A typical list of factors

follows.
To display the associated information for a factor:
1. Select a user-specified factor.
2. Choose .
MPE displays the user-defined information associated with the

selected factor and the Continue Processing dialog box.
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3. Choose to continue.
The Save Data dialog box appears.
4. Select Add Data to Existing File to append the factor information to

the end of an existing file in the MPE directory.
Or Select Add Data to New File to add the factor information to a new
file.
5. Choose .
6. A dialog box appears requesting the name of file to which the

information is to be appended or a new file name, depending on the
option selected.
7. Choose .
Deleting Factors
The Delete Factor option allows you delete a user-defined factor. Once
deleted, the factor is no longer considered when estimating productivity for
a construction site.
To delete a user-defined factor:
1. Select Delete Factor from the Customize MPE window.
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2. Choose .
The Select Factor to Delete dialog box appears.
3. The factor is deleted.
If other factors are defined, the Select Factor to Delete dialog box
re-appears to delete another factor.
After deleting the desired factors, select to go back to the

Customize MPE window.
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Appendix
Using the
Menu Bar
his appendix explains the application's menu bar options.
Introduction to the Menu Bar .................................................... A-3
The Run Menu ............................................................................ A-3
Run Application ..............................................................A-4

About ..............................................................................A-4
Exit .................................................................................A-4
The Tools Menu .......................................................................... A-4
Display A File .................................................................A-5

Notepad ..........................................................................A-6
Calculator .......................................................................A-6
Operating System ............................................................A-7
The Options Menu ...................................................................... A-7
Display ...........................................................................A-8
Knowledge Baste Status ..................................................A-8
Instructions .....................................................................A-9
Status Line ......................................................................A-9
Introduction On/Off ........................................................A-9
User Interface On/Off ...................................................... A-10
Multiple Consultations On/Off ........................................ A-10
Log Files On/Off ............................................................. A-10
The Font Menu ........................................................................... A-11
Styles .............................................................................. A-11

Typefaces ........................................................................ A-12
Pitches ............................................................................ A-12
Appearances ....................................................................A-12
Point Sizes ......................................................................A-12
A-2
The F1=Help Menu .................................................................... A-13

Appendix A: Using the Menu Bar A-3
Introduction to the Menu Bar

The menu bar is located across the top of the application window.
The menu bar includes five pull-down menus.
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA To select a menu option, click
AAAAAAAA Select To do this
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
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AAAAAAAA on the menu name. The
selected menu then drops
down with commands. To Run Run, display information, and exit the MPE application.
select a command, click on
the command name. Dimmed
commands are not
Tools Review a specified file and access the Windows' Notepad,
selectable under the current the Window's Calculator, and start a DOS session.
circumstances.
Options Define features of MPE.
Font Specify the appearance and size of printed reports and files.
F1=Help Access on-line help.
AAAA
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AAAA A detailed description of each pull-down menu option follows.
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some pull-down menu options
may not be applicable.
The Run Menu

The Run menu includes the following commands:
Select To do this
Run Application Start the applicable application.
About Display license and technical support information.
Exit Close the applicable application.
A detailed description of each command follows.

A-4 The Tools Menu
Run Application
Run
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The Run Application command starts the applicable application.
RunAAAA
AAAA AAAAAAAA
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AAAA
Application
About
Exit
To start the applicable application:
• Select Run Application from the Run menu.
If more than one application is available, a list of the available

applications are displayed. Select the application that you want to run.
About
Run The About command displays license and technical support information.
AAAA
RunAAAA
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Application
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AAAA AAAA
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About AAAAAAAA
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Exit
To display license and technical support information:
• Select About from the Run menu.
A window appears with license and technical support information.
Exit
Run The Exit command closes the applicable application.
Run Application
AAAA AAAAAAAAAAAA
About
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ExitAAAAAAAA
AAAA AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA To close an application:
• Select Exit from the Run menu.
The application closes.
The Tools Menu

The Tools menu includes the following commands:
Select To do this
Display A File Display a specified file using the ICARUS Review

program.
Notepad Initiate Microsoft's Notepad.
Calculator Initiate Microsoft's Calculator.
Operating System Initiate a session with the operating system

(e.g., DOS).
A detailed description of each command follows.
Display A File
Tools
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA The Display A File command displays a specified file using the ICARUS
AAAA File AAAA
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AAAA
AAAAAAAA AAAA AAAA
Display ...
AAAAAAAA AAAA Review program. The ICARUS Review can be used to view and print files.
Notepad
Calculator
Using ICARUS Review, you can have multiple files open at the same time.
Operating System
AAAAAAAA The ICARUS Review allows To display a file using the ICARUS Review program:
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA you to view files side-by-side
AAAAAAAA for easy comparison.
• Select Display A File from the Tools menu.
The ICARUS Review window appears.
A brief description of each ICARUS Review menu command follows.
The File Menu

Open - Opens an existing file for viewing and printing.
Close - Closes the file in the active window.
Print - Prints the file in the active window..
Print Setup - Sets the printer, orientation, and page size.
About - Displays version and release date for the ICARUS Review .
Exit - Closes the ICARUS Review program.
The View Menu

Show Position - Displays the row and column number of the top left
position shown in the window.
The Font Menu

(The Font menu for the ICARUS Review is the same as the Font menu for
the application. See the description of the Font menu.)
The Help Menu

(The Help menu layout for the ICARUS Review is the same as the Help
menu layout for the application. See the description of the Help menu.)
A-6 The Tools Menu
Notepad
Tools The Notepad command executes the Windows Notepad. The Notepad can
Display A File ...
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA be used to create, edit, and print files.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Notepad
Calculator
Operating System
To execute the Notepad:
• Choose Notepad from the Tools menu.
The Notepad Window appears.
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA User's Guide for further
AAAAAAAA
information about the
Notepad.
Calculator
Tools The Calculator command executes the Windows Calculator. The Calcula-
Display A File ... tor can be used to calculate standard and scientific calculations.
Notepad
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
Calculator AAAA
Operating System
To execute the Calculator:
• Choose Calculator from the Tools menu.
The Calculator window appears.
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
See the Microsoft Windows
AAAAAAAA User's Guide for further
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA information about the
Calculator.
Operating System
Tools The Operating System command executes a session with the operating
Display A File ... system.
Notepad
Calculator
AAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAA AAAA
Operating
AAAA AAAA
AAAAA
System
AAAAAAAA A
To start a session with the operating system:
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA User's Guide for further • Select Operating System from the Tools menu.
AAAAAAAA information about the DOS
command prompt.
A session with the operating system begins.
The Options Menu

The Options menu contains commands that customize various
characteristics of an application. The commands are:
Select To do this
Display Display processing information during

application processing.
Knowledge Base Status Display knowledge base status during

Instructions Provide user instructions during application

processing.
Status Line Display status during application processing.
Introduction On/Off Turn on/off the display of the application

introduction.
User Interface On/Off Turn on/off the display of inference engine

messages during application processing.
Multiple Turn on/off the query prompting the user if

Consultations On/Off another consultation is to be run.
Log Files On/Off Turn on/off the creation of Session and

Decision logs.
Application options are initially set for optimum performance. Some of the
options' actions may increase performance time due to the additional
processing required. Additionally, applications may automatically turn
on/off certain options if the system determines that the option is (not)
needed.
A description of each command follows.

A-8 The Options Menu
Display
Options The Display command opens a window that displays processing
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AAAA
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Display
AAAA AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAA
AA information during application processing.
Knowledge Base Status
Instructions
Status Line
Introduction On To display processing information during application processing:
Introduction Off
User Interface On
User Interface Off • Select Display from the Options menu.
Multiple Consultations On
Multiple Consultations Off
The Display window appears showing display information during
Log Files On
Log Files Off
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA Use the Control-menu box,
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA located in the upper-left
corner of the window, to close
the Display window.

Options The Knowledge Base Status command opens a window that displays
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
Display AAAAAAAAAAAAAA knowledge base status during application processing.
AAAAAAAA
AAAA AAAAAAAA AAAA AA
AAAAAAAAAAAA
Knowledge AAAA
Base
AAAA AAAA
AAAAAA
Status
AAAA AA
Instructions
Status Line
Introduction On To display knowledge base status during application processing:
Introduction Off
User Interface On
User Interface Off • Select Knowledge Base Status from the Options menu.
The Knowledge Base Status window appears showing the knowledge
Log Files On
Log Files Off
base status during application processing.
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA located in the upper-left
the Knowledge Base Status
window.
Instructions
Options The Instructions command opens a window that provides user instructions
Display during application processing.
AAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Instructions
Status Line
Introduction On To display user instructions during application processing:
Introduction Off
User Interface On
User Interface Off • Select Instructions from the Options menu.
The Instructions window appears showing user instructions during
Log Files On
Log Files Off
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
the Instructions window.
Status Line
Options The Status Line command opens a window that displays status information
Display during application processing.
AAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Instructions
AAAA AAAA AAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
Status AAAAAAAA
Line
AAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAA
AA
Introduction On To display status information during application processing:
Introduction Off
User Interface On
User Interface Off • Select Status Line from the Options menu.
The Status window appears showing the current status during
Log Files On
Log Files Off
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
Use the Control-menu box,
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
the Status window.
Introduction On/Off
Options The Introduction On and Introduction Off commands determine whether
Display the introduction screen appears when starting a consultation with an
Instructions
application. (The introduction screen usually explains the purpose of the
Status Line application.)
AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAAAAAA AA
AAAA
AAAA AAAA
AAAA AAAA
AAAA
Introduction AAAA
AAAA
On AAAA
AAAA AA
AA
AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAAAAAA AA
AAAA
AAAA AAAA
Introduction AAAA
Off AAAA
AA
User Interface On
User Interface Off To display the introduction screen when starting a consultation:
• Select Introduction On from the Options menu.
Log Files On
Log Files Off
To skip the display of the introduction screen when starting a consultation:
• Select Introduction Off from the Options menu.

A-10 The Options Menu
User Interface On/Off
Options The User Interface On and User Interface Off commands determine
Display whether the display of the application's internal processing is displayed
Instructions
during a consultation with an application. (The user interface information
Status Line is recommend for debugging purposes only.)
Introduction On
Introduction Off
AAAA
AAAA AAAA
AAAA AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA AAAAAA
AAAA
UserAAAA On AAAA
AAAAAAAA
Interface AA
AAAAAA
AAAA
AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAAAA To display the user interface information during a consultation:
UserAAAA AAAA
Interface AAAA
Off AAAAAA
• Select User Interface On from the Options menu.
Log Files On
Log Files Off
To not display the user interface information during a consultation:
• Select User Interface Off from the Options menu.
Multiple Consultations On/Off
Options The Multiple Consultations On and Multiple Consultations Off commands

Display
determine whether you are asked if you want to conduct another
Instructions
consultation with an application after completing a consultation.
Status Line
Introduction On
Introduction Off
User Interface On
To process multiple consultations per session:
AAAA
UserAAAA
AAAA AAAAOff
Interface AAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAConsultations
Multiple OnAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAA • Select Multiple Consultations On from the Options menu.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAA
AAA
Log Files On
Log Files Off
To process only one consultation per session:
• Select Multiple Consultations Off from the Options menu.
Log Files On/Off
Options The Log Files On and Log Files Off commands determine whether
Display Decision and Session logs are created during a consultation. The Decision
and Session logs show the questions, responses, conclusions, and
Instructions
Status Line processing methods used during a session.
Introduction On
Introduction Off
User Interface On
User Interface Off
To have Decision and Session logs created:
AAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA AA • Select Log Files On from the Options menu.
LogAAAA
AAAA FilesAAAA
AAAA On AAAA
AAAA AAAA AAAA
AAAA AA
AA
AAAAAAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AA
AAAA
LogAAAA
FilesAAAA
Off AAAAAAAAAA
To not have Decision and Session logs created:
• Select Log Files Off from the Options menu.

The Font Menu

The Font menu allows you to determine the display of the characters in the
selected active window of the application. The Font menu options,
grouped into categories, are:
Font Category To define

Normal F5 Best Appearance
Bold F6 Conform to Size
Italic F7 6 Point
Styles The font style (Normal, Bold, Italic, and/or Underline).
Underline F8 8 Point
Stroke Fonts 9 Point Typefaces The font.
Modern 10 Point
Roman 12 Point
Script 14 Point Pitches The character width (Variable Pitch or Fixed Pitch).
Raster Fonts 16 Point
Courier 18 Point
Helvetica 20 Point
Appearance The quality of appearance (Best Appearance or
Times Roman 24 Point Conform to Size).
System Font 36 Point
Variable Pitch 48 Point
Fixed Pitch 54 Point
Point Sizes The desired size of the characters ( 6, 8, 9, ... 72).
60 Point
72 Point
To select an option from the Font menu:
1. Select the window for which you want to make a Font selection.
The Font option is only applied to the selected active window.
2. Choose the desired option from the Font menu.
Selected options are designated with a check mark (ü) appearing

before the option.
A description of each application Font menu category follows.
Styles
There are four font styles:
Option To do this
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA Selecting Normal cancels all Normal Normal text (unbolded, unitalicized, and not underlined).
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA other style selections.
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA Bold Bold text.
Italic Italicize text.
Underline Underline text.
One or more styles may be selected.

A-12 The Font Menu
Typefaces
There are seven typefaces to choose from:
AAAAAAAA The fonts are divided into
AAAAAAAA • Modern
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA groups of Stroke and Raster
AAAAAAAA fonts. These groups identify • Roman
how the font is displayed on
• Script
the monitor and are • Courier
insignificant when using the • Helvetica
application. • Times Roman
• System Font .
If you select a font that is not available on your PC, the system uses an
available font that most closely resembles the selected font.
Pitches
The pitch determines the width of the characters (e.g, the “M” being wider
than “I”). The two options are:
Option To specify
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA It is recommended that you
AAAA Variable Pitch Character widths vary.
AAAAAAAA
AAAA choose a fixed pitch font
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA Fixed Pitch Character width are all the same.
when viewing and/or editing
a report. Fixed pitch fonts line
up the columns in the reports.
If you select a pitch that is not available on your PC, the system uses an
available pitch that is close to the selected pitch.
Appearance
The appearance determines the sharpness and clarity of the font
appearance. The two options are:
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA It is recommended that you
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA Option To specify
AAAAAAAA
AAAA use the default setting
Conform to Size for the best
results.
Best Appearance To display the selected font at an available size if an
unavailable point size is selected.
Conform to Size To scale the selected font to the specified point size.
Point Sizes
The point size determines the height of the selected typeface.
The F1=Help Menu

F1=Help
The Help Menu provides on-line help for the application.
To access on-line help:
1. Select F1=Help.
The Help Topics dialog box appears.

AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA If the on-line help does not 2. Select the topic for which you want on-line help.
AAAAAAAA
AAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAA answer your question, contact
AAAAAAAA
ICARUS for technical support.
Choose About from the Run
menu for ICARUS' address
and telephone numbers.
(ICARUS' address and
telephone numbers are also
listed in the front of this
manual.)
A-14
Appendix
License
Agreement
his appendix includes the ICARUS Manpower Productivity Expert

(MPE) License Agreement. Please call ICARUS if you have any
questions concerning this license agreement.
B-2
Appendix B: License Agreement B-3
ICARUS Manpower Productivity Expert (MPE) License Agreement
THE ICARUS Manpower Productivity Expert (MPE) SYSTEM IS LICENSED EXPRESSLY SUB-
JECT TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS. CAREFULLY READ THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS. USE OF THE MPE PROGRAM SHALL INDICATE ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS
AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LICENSE.
If the terms and conditions of this license are not acceptable, return the diskettes, firmware
and documentation to your MPE Dealer and the license fee will be refunded. No refund will be
given if the diskettes, firmware, or any documentation are missing.
1. LICENSE: Licensee shall have the non-exclusive right to use the MPE B. ICARUS warrants only to Licensee that under normal use and service:
program contained on diskettes supplied by ICARUS, for use on a single (a) the diskettes containing the MPE program are free from
personal computer at any one time subject to the following terms and defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ninety (90) days
conditions. If Licensee intends to use the program on more than one personal from the date of delivery, and (b) the firmware is free from defects in
computer at any one time, then Licensee must obtain additional licenses for materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date
each such additional use. Ownership and title to the diskettes, program, any of delivery. In the event of failure of any diskette or the firmware,
back-up copies, updates, firmware and related documentation shall remain ICARUS’ sole liability and Licensee’s exclusive remedy shall be the
solely with ICARUS. replacement of the diskette or firmware, provided ICARUS shall have
no liability to replace any diskette or firmware if failure results from
2. COPYRIGHT: The MPE program and documentation are copyrighted and accident, abuse or misapplication. In the event of replacement of the
may not be used, copied, modified or transferred except as expressly provided firmware, the warranty for the replacement will be for a period of one
in this Agreement. (1) year from the date of delivery of the original firmware or thirty (30)
days from the date of delivery of the replacement, whichever is longer.
3. LICENSEE’S COVENANTS: Licensee may not: Any service or replacement under the warranty herein provided is
subject to the conditions of paragraph 8 above.
(a) use the MPE program on more than one personal computer at a time;
C. The foregoing is ICARUS’ sole warranty and no other warranties or
(b) transfer the MPE program electronically from one computer to representations are given beyond those set forth herein. THIS
another over a network; provided, however, Licensee may physically DISCLAIMER. AND WARRANTY AGREEMENT IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU
transfer the MPE program from one computer to another; OF AND EXCLUDES ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND
(c) distribute copies of the MPE program, firmware or documentation to ALL OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES.
others;
10. LIMITATION OF LIABILITIES AND INDEMNIFICATION: Licensee hereby
(d) modify, disassemble or translate the MPE program, firmware, or agrees that ICARUS, its dealers and its affiliates will not be liable to Licensee
related documentation without the prior written consent of ICARUS. for any loss or damage (including special, consequential and exemplary
damages) howsoever arising out of the use of the MPE program, the results of
4. BACK-UP COPIES: Licensee may make three (3) copies of the MPE the use of or the inability to use the MPE program, or failure of any diskette or
program diskettes solely for back-up purposes provided the copyright notice is firmware (whether during or after any warranty period), and Licensee will
reproduced in the same place, size and form on each copy as on the original. indemnify and hold ICARUS, its dealers and its affiliates harmless from all
claims for loss, damage or injury howsoever arising out of the use of the MPE
5. TRANSFERS: Licensee may assign this Agreement to an affiliated company program, the results of the use of or the inability to use the MPE program, or
upon the prior written consent of ICARUS, which consent will not be failure of the diskette or the firmware. Licensee acknowledges that this
unreasonably withheld, and provided (a) the assignee confirms its acceptance limitation of liability is reasonable under the circumstances and having regard
of the terms and conditions of this Agreement to ICARUS in writing and (b) the to the state of the art of computer programs such as the MPE program and
original and all back-up copies of the MPE program, firmware and related diskettes and the firmware.
documentation are transferred to the assignee, or destroyed, or returned to
ICARUS. ICARUS may require Licensee to provide such evidence as ICARUS 11. OTHER DOCUMENTS: Any Purchase Order, payment or other transmittal
deems necessary or appropriate to account for the location of the diskettes, or other document issued by the Licensee for the acquisition of the license for
firmware and related documentation. the MPE program, firmware or documentation or for maintenance, updates,
training, consulting or other technical services, shall be deemed for the
6. FIRMWARE: The firmware supplied by ICARUS must be installed by Licensee’s internal use only and shall have no effect whatsoever on this
Licensee on the computer during operation of the MPE program. Agreement, nor shall it create any obligations of ICARUS, said obligations
being solely limited to the terms hereof.
7. TERM: This Agreement shall remain in effect until the earlier of: (a) the
termination by ICARUS due to the failure of the Licensee to comply with all the 12. ENFORCEABLE AGREEMENT: Should Licensee fail to comply with any of
terms and conditions hereof, or (b) the termination hereof by the Licensee. the terms and conditions of this agreement, the same shall be enforceable by
Upon termination, the Licensee will immediately return to ICARUS all diskettes, ICARUS in a court of competent jurisdiction, with all legal and equitable
firmware and related documentation, including all back-up copies made by remedies being reserved hereby. In the event ICARUS is required to take such
Licensee. Upon any such termination, ICARUS is hereby granted the right to legal action as is necessary to enforce this agreement, it shall be entitled to
immediately repossess all diskettes, programs, firmware, related recover all costs of enforcement, including reasonable counsel fees.
documentation, back-up copies and updates. Upon termination, there shall be
no refunds due Licensee. 13. COMPLIANCE: Licensee agrees that it will take such action as is
appropriate with respect to its employees, by agreement or otherwise, to ensure
8. REGISTRATION: Licensee will register with ICARUS one individual user of their compliance with all obligations under this license agreement respecting
the MPE program on the form supplied by ICARUS. If the completed the use and restrictions on copying, modification, and other protections
registration form has not been received by ICARUS, then ICARUS is under no afforded ICARUS hereunder.
obligation to make available to Licensee any maintenance updates or technical
support services, even if payment of the applicable update or maintenance fee 14. GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT: This Agreement shall be
has been paid. Any obligation of ICARUS to provide assistance under this governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, and constitutes the entire
Agreement or any maintenance agreement which may be entered will be contract between the Licensee and ICARUS, superseding all prior negotiations
fulfilled by providing same to the registered user and no other person. and representations relating to the MPE program. No changes, alterations or
modifications to this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed
9. WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES: by ICARUS.
A. The MPE program is provided “as is” and ICARUS makes no

warranty of any kind regarding the MPE program. Licensee
assumes the entire risk and all liability for the performance and
results of the MPE program and the cost of any service, repair ICARUS Manpower Productivity Expert (MPE) is a Trademark
or correction. of ICARUS Corporation.
ICARUS Corporation, One Central Plaza, 11300 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852
1 September 1993
B-4
Glossary
Application An executable or stand-alone program

produced by ICARUS Mentor upon compilation
of knowledge bases, object definitions, and procedure
descriptions.
Artificial intelligence (AI) The area of computer

technology relating to the design of computer programs
which simulate the process human experts apply to
problems in their field of endeavor.
Conclusion A conclusion is an hypothesis which has

been proven by the processing of the rules supporting the
hypothesis in the compiled application.
Confidence factor The degree of confidence in the

accuracy of a given value or rule expressed as a percent
from zero (no confidence) to one hundred (complete
confidence).
Construction management The overall management

tasks associated with the engineering and construction of
the project. Construction management in MPE can be
accomplished by the operating company (owner), the
contractor, an independent construction management
firm, or the government.
Consultation The running of a ICARUS Mentor

application and the receiving of a conclusion to the
problem present during a single execution of the
knowledge base. See Session.
Contractor type The type of contractor who will have

primary responsibility for the execution of the
engineering and construction of the facility. MPE has
data for local, national, and international contractors.
G-2 Glossary
Contractor’s workload The contractor’s workload, I

usually expressed in months, is the number of months that
the contractor can keep his staff busy if no new work Incentive contract A contract between the buyer
came in. If the contractor is busy, new (and possibly (company) and the prime contractor which has provisions
inexperienced) staff will have to be hired to do your which provide for special payments to the contractor for
project, thereby resulting in the possibility of additional performance. Provisions usually relate to cost not
costs which should be allowed for in the construction exceeding a specified amount and completing the project
project field manpower productivity. If the contractor is on schedule.
not busy at all the possibility exists that the initial phase
of the project may be manned with excess manpower. International contractor A contractor who performs
work worldwide and has engineering organizations in
Cost plus contract A contract between the buyer more than one country.
(company) and the prime contractor where the contractor
will be reimbursed for all costs related to construction.
L
D Laydown area The location designated to store the
materials of construction.
Dialog box A window with its own set of window
features which may include buttons (eg.,OK, Cancel, Local contractor A contractor who performs work
Help), a title bar, a list box with options which can be only in a limited area in one country.
selected, and/or radio buttons.
M
E
Manpower density The construction site area divided
End-User The user of an ICARUS Mentor expert by the peak manpower during construction. The man-
application. power density is usually expressed as square feet per
man. A value lower than 60 square feet per man may
Expert system A computer software program which result in insufficient working space thereby decreasing
stores expertise and utilizes it in solving a specific the productivity. A very high value will decrease
problem. productivity because of the additional time required to
obtain materials from the laydown area.
F Menu A list of choices presented to the end-user.
Field manpower supervision The first level of

supervision of the field manpower force. These are the N
people who are the craft foremen who assign work to the
field force in their specific discipline. National contractor A contractor who performs work
only in a single country.
Fixed price contract A contract between the buyer
(company) and the prime contractor which has a fixed
price for construction. O
Object A set of related facts. The facts are organized

G around a common concept. For example, an employee
and its characteristics (such as title, age, address,
Government funded contract A contract between company, etc.) may be considered as an object.
the buyer (company) and the prime contractor which is
governed by government procurement regulations and Option One member in a set of choices or alternatives.
law.
Glossary G-3
P U
Project type The type of facility which is being Uncertainty The measurement of the degree to which
constructed. The type can be grassroots or greenfield for an item of data or a fact can be believed.
a facility on a new virgin site, an addition to an existing
facility, or a revamp which means construction will take
place within an existing facility. V
Value The significance or worth of a variable,

S conclusion, or statement. The value may be a number or
a qualitative statement.
Session The process starting with the user’s log-on to
the ICARUS Mentor application until exiting back to the
operating system prompt. W
Site conditions The overall topology, layout of the Window A window is a rectangular area on the monitor
facility, stability of the soil, angle of repose, and other bordered by a single or double line and usually
related factors. containing one or more buttons. Most windows will have
an OK, Cancel, and Help buttons. See Dialog box.
G-4 Glossary
Index
A
About menu option, A-4
Add Data to Existing File option, 3-17
Add Data to New File option, 3-17
Add New Factor option, 3-14
Add New Location option, 3-6 to 3-7
Add/Modify Location option, 3-5, 3-6
ANSWERS.OB file, 1-9
Appearance options, A-12
Application, iv
ARCHES®, iii
Automatic operation, 2-8
B
Basis of productivity, iii-iv
C
Calculator menu option, A-6
Case examples, 1-6, 1-8
Considerations of MPE, iii, iv
Construction project factors, 2-4 to 2-5
Consultation
reviewing results, 2-5 to 2-6
saving results, 2-6 to 2-7
starting, 2-3 to 2-4
Contractor information, construction project factors, 2-4
COST®, iii
Customize MPE option, 1-4, 3-3
Customizing
introduction, 3-3 to 3-4
passwords, 3-4 to 3-5
See Factors customizing, Locations customizing
I-2 Index
D I
Data files, See Project data files ICARUS 2000TM, iii
Delete Factor option, 3-17 ICARUS Mentor, iv
Delete User Defined Locations option, 3-11 to 3-12 Instructions
Deleting menu option, A-9
user-defined factors, 3-17 to 3-18 window, A-9
user-defined locations, 3-11 to 3-12 Introduction On/Off menu options, A-9
Describing construction project factors, 2-4 to 2-5
Develop Productivity for Site option, 1-4, 2-3 to 2-4
Dialog boxes, 1-4
Display
K
menu option, A-8
window, A-8
menu option, A-8
Display a File menu option, 1-6, A-5
window, A-8
“.DOC” file extension, 1-6
Double-clicking, 1-5
L
E
Laydown area, construction project factors, 2-4
License agreement, B-1 to B-3
Economic conditions, construction project factors, 2-5
List Factors option 3-16
Editing, project data files, 1-9
List User Defined Locations option, 3-10
Engineering information, construction project factors, 2-5
Listing factors, 3-16 to 3-17
Entering construction project factors, 1-4, 2-4 to 2-5
Listing user-defined locations, 3-10 to 3-11
Exit menu option, A-4
Location customizing
adding a location, 3-6 to 3-7
defining location data, 3-9
deleting user-defined locations, 3-11 to 3-12
F introduction, 3-3
listing user-defined locations, 3-10 to 3-11
F1=Help menu, A-13 loading data, 3-9 to 3-10, 3-12 to 3-13
Factors customizing modifying a location, 3-6 to 3-7
adding a new factor, 3-14 to 3-15 Load Data File option, 3-12
deleting factors, 3-17 to 3-18 Loading location data, 3-9 to 3-10, 3-12 to 3-13
displaying factor information, 3-16 to 3-17 Log Files On/Off menu options, A-10
explanation, 3-13
introduction, 3-3
listing factors, 3-16 to 3-17
Field manpower, iv M
File extensions
“.DOC”, 1-6 Manpower density, construction project factors, 2-4
“.OB”, 1-9 Menu bar introduction, A-3
Font menu, A-11 Modify Existing Location option, 3-6 to 3-7
MPE
license agreement, B-3
options, 1-3 to 1-4, 2-3, 2-8, 3-3
G Multiple Consultations On/Off menu options, A-10
General information, construction project factors, 2-4

N
H Notepad menu option, 1-6, 1-9, A-6
Help, on-line, 1-5, A-13

Index I-3
O R
“.OB” file extension, 1-9 REPORT.DOC file, 1-6, 2-7
On-line help, 1-5, A-13 Reports, See Productivity reports
Operating System menu option, A-7 Reviewing the consultation results, 2-5 to 2-6
Options menu, A-7
Run menu, 1-3, A-3 to A-4
Other information, construction project factors, 2-5
Run Application menu option, 1-3, A-4
P
Passwords
S
accessing the customizing feature, 3-4
changing, 3-4 to 3-5 Safety requirement, construction project factors, 2-4
default, 3-4 Saving
Pitches options, A-12 productivity reports, 1-6, 2-6 to 2-7
Point sizes, A-12 project data files, 1-9, 2-7
Printing Site condition, construction project factors, 2-4
productivity reports, 1-6 Starting
project data files, 1-9 consultation, 2-3
Process Project Data File option, 1-4, 2-8 MPE application, 1-3
Productivity Strategy of using MPE, 2-3
basis, iii-iv Status Line menu option, A-9
window, 2-5 Status window, A-9
Program license, Mentor application, B-3 to B-4 Styles options, A-11
Project data files
editing, 1-9
example, 1-8 T
explanation, 1-8
file extension, 1-9 Tools menu, 1-6, 1-9, A-4
introduction, 1-5 Typefaces, A-12
printing, 1-9
saving, 1-9
viewing, 1-9
Productivity reports U
development, 1-6
example, 1-7 User Interface On/Off menu option, A-10
file extension, 1-6
introduction, 1-5
printing, 1-6 V
saving, 1-6
viewing, 1-6
Viewing
productivity reports, 1-6, 2-5 to 2-6
project data files, 1-9
Q
QuestimateTM, iii
Questions and Answers window, 2-5
I-4 Index

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Manpower

anpower Productivity Expert (MPE) is ICARUS' expert application

• Project type and size

With an MPE report, you can confidently estimate your manpower

About the Productivity Basis

MPE productivity is calculated as a percentage, based on the following

Productivity Base US Gulf Coast or UK Northwest

Field Manpower 42 minute working hour

Project Medium size job (approximately 100,000 man-hours)

Contract International contractor

Economy Local and national economy is good

Site Conditions Conditions are average

About the MPE Application

This document assumes:

• The MPE system is properly installed.

Installation and computer troubleshooting procedures are not covered

• You are familiar with the graphical interface.

• You are familiar with construction site productivity.

How to Use This Document

A Note to MPE Users

Chapter 1: Introduction to MPE

Chapter 2: Developing Productivity Estimates

Chapter 3: Customizing MPE

Appendix A: Using the Menu Bar

Appendix B: License Agreement ........................ B-3

Glossary .................................................................................. G-1

Index .......................................................................................... I-1

Starting MPE .................................................................................. 1-3

Entering Construction Project Factors .......................................... 1-4

Productivity Reports and Project Data Files ................................. 1-5

Productivity Reports ...........................................................1-6

1. Double-click on the Manpower Productivity Expert icon.

The Manpower Productivity Expert window appears and begins its

Develop Productivity for Site Develop field manpower productivity for

Process Project Data File Develop field manpower productivity

Customize MPE Add/modify MPE factors and/or

These options are described in chapters 2 and 3.

Entering Construction Project Factors

MPE consists of a series of dialog boxes requesting you to enter

The dialog boxes include one or more of the following buttons:

AAAAAAAA Continue processing using the specified item/entry.

Access on-line help.

Respond affirmative to the specified question and/or to continue

Respond negative to the specified question.

Productivity Reports and Project Data Files

Site The construction project site.

Productivity The estimated productivity for the construction project.

Confidence The system's confidence in the productivity.

Factor The factors considered by MPE.

Value The user-entered values for each factor.

Effect The effect of the user-entered values for each factor.

Cumulative The cumulative effect of the user-entered values on the

Notes Specific notes pertaining to the MPE consultation.

Site Site: Petrochemical Plant - Project 531

Productivity Estimated construction field manpower productivity is 60 percent.

Date & time Report Prepared: Monday August 2, 1993 at 13:45

“NS” means that the item is not significant.

A Typical MPE Productivity Report

Project Data Files

The following is a typical project data file.

AAAAAAAA /* Project Data File Prepared: Monday August 2, 1993 at 13:45 */

A Typical MPE Project Data File

Saving Project Data Files