Project Planning, Scheduling, and Control

ENMG 632

Linear Scheduling Method (LSM)

Lesson 1 : Basic Concepts
 Introduction
 Some types of projects involve a great number of similar activities, occurring in
succession, to be repeated throughout the project duration.

 On such projects, contractors often stipulate using a fixed allocation of resources for
the identical tasks occurring in succession.

 This constraint mandates that there can be no overlap in these sub-activities.

 Examples of such projects include : high-rise buildings, compound of homes, large

highway projects, sewer lines, seafront walls, etc.

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 Introduction (cont’d)
 On high-rise structures, the repetition might be on a floor-by-floor.

 On a track of 50 homes under construction, the repetition might be on a home by

home.

 The repetitions might describe the installation of a pipeline in which every 100 feet are
considered to be repeated.

 The repetitions might describe the construction of a roadway in which every 1000 feet
are considered to be repeated.

 On a large concrete structure, the repetitions might be based on lifts or concrete

pours.
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 Introduction (cont’d)
 The traditional networking techniques (Gantt Charts, CPM, etc.) do not always lend
themselves to effective management of these types of projects.

 Bar charts become complex mazes of activities and create complications in

readily ascertaining space–time relationships.

 CPM becomes very convoluted in assessing SS relationships and/or FF

relationships.

 These shortcomings of traditional scheduling methods have resulted in the

development of or resurgence of the use of the Linear Scheduling Method (LSM).

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 Introduction (cont’d)
 In order to model a project with LSM,
the project must be able to be
presented in a linear fashion.

 This is a convenient way to portray

repetitive activities and can help identify
activities that might result in space-time
conflicts.

 This technique is known by a number of

other titles, including Repetitive
Scheduling Method (RSM), Time-Space
Scheduling Method, Line-of-Balance
(LOB), Flowline, etc.
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 CPM vs. Linear Schedules

CPM Stair-type Network

CPM Precedence Network

ENMG 632: Project Planning, Scheduling, and Control LSM Diagram 7
 Sample Linear Schedules
PROJECT 1: PROJECT TO REPLACE A STATE PARK WALKWAY
This project is for the complete placement of an asphalt pavement walkway that will be 16,000 feet long
and 4 feet wide. The following activities are used: Demolition and removal of old asphalt pavement, Level and Roll,
Place 3-inch aggregate base, Pave with asphalt, Install new signs and stripping.

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 Sample Linear Schedules (cont’d)
PROJECT 2: PROJECT TO CONSTRUCT 500 TRACT HOUSING UNITS
This project consists of a developer’s housing tract of 500 housing units, each having essentially identical sets
of plans and specifications. The entire project duration is one and one-half years, or 78 weeks. Activities for each
housing unit are shown below:

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 Sample Linear Schedules (cont’d)
PROJECT 3: PHOENIX HIGH-RISE PROJECT

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Lesson 2 : Other Concepts
 Time and Space Buffers

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 Time and Space Buffers (cont’d)

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 Conflicts

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 Project Schedule Compression

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 Project Schedule Compression (cont’d)

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Lesson 3 : LSM- Example I
 Example I- LSM Diagram

CPM Precedence Network

Bar Chart

A 1/2
B 1/3
A is faster so the
lines will diverge
A1 controls B1

ENMG 632: Project Planning, Scheduling, and Control LSM Diagram 18

 Example I – Project Compression

Effect of Increasing the Unit Production Rate of

Activity B

Effect of further Increasing the

Unit Production Rate
of Activity B

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Lesson 4 : LSM- Example II
 Example II- CPM Network

*The unit production rate of

Activity A decreases in units 3
and 4 because more work is
being done in these units

* There is a 5-day break in B

after performing work in the
first 3 units (requested by the
subcontractor)

* Activity C is absent on unit 5

CPM Network for Unit 1 of a 6-Unit Project

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 Example II- LSM Diagram
Project Duration= 30 days

cp(CE)
cp2(AB) cp2(CD) cp(DF)

cp1(CD)
Unit production rates
A 1/2 & 1/4
B 1/1 cp1(AB)
C 1/4
D 1/3
E 1/1
F 1/1 cp(AC)

LSM Diagram for a 6-Unit Project

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 Example II- LSM Diagram (cont’d)
Project Duration= 27 days 0riginal

cp 2(CD) cp(DF)

LSM Diagram for a 6-Unit Project – with unit production rate of D increased
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 Example II- LSM Diagram (cont’d)
0riginal

Project Duration= 31 days

cp(AC)
cp2(CE) cp(DF)
cp 2(CD)

cp1(CE) 1

cp(CD)

LSM Diagram for a 6-Unit Project – with unit production rate of C increased
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 Example II- LSM Diagram (cont’d)
0riginal
Project Duration= 31 days
cp(AC)
cp2(CE) cp(DF)

Controlling Sequence
F6, D6-D1, C2-C4, A6-A1
cp1(CE)
Critical Activities
F1-F6, D1-D6, C1

Time-Critical
F6 & D1-D6
cp(CD) Resource- Critical
C1,F1-F5

LSM Diagram for a 6-Unit Project – with unit production rate of C increased
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 Example II- LSM Diagram (cont’d)

cp(AC)
cp(DF) cp(DF)
cp(EF)
cp2(CE)
cp2(CD)

cp1(CE)
cp1(CD)

cp(CD)

LSM Diagram for a 6-Unit Project – with unit production rate of C&D increased
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 Example II- LSM Diagram (cont’d)
Project Duration= 22 days 0riginal

cp(AC)
cp(DF) Controlling Sequence
cp(EF)
F6, E6, D6, C6, A6-A1
cp2(CE)
cp2(CD)
Critical Activities
F1-F6, E1-E6, D1-D6, C1-C4
&C6 , A1-A6
cp1(CE)
cp1(CD)
Time-Critical
F6, E6, D6, C6, A1-A6
Resource-Critical - - - -
F1-F5, E1-E5, D1-D5, C1-C4

LSM Diagram for a 6-Unit Project – with unit production rate of C&D increased
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Lesson 5: Concluding Remarks
 Conclusion
 Linear scheduling techniques have a variety of useful applications.

 They are most readily adapted for projects in which tasks are repetitive.

 In general, linear schedules are more readily adapted for projects in which logic is
not inordinately complex.

 Conflicts can be readily identified in linear schedules.

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 Conclusion (cont’d)
 When schedule compression is to be achieved, linear schedules assist in identifying
those activities that warrant primary consideration.

 The major advantage with using linear schedules is that they are easily understood by
most field personnel, obviating the need to develop additional schedules to
communicate with other parties.

 Vico ControlTM by Vico Software in Finland is one known software package offering
LSM capabilities.

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Thank you