2 – Network 

Analysis
2  Network Analysis

Construction Management
Ahammed Aflah
Dept of Architecture, CET
What does a Network Look Like?
What does a Network Look Like?
 Elements of a Network

Nodes

Li k
Linkages

Node 1 Node 2 Network

Elements of a Construction Network –
The Precedence Diagram Method 
(PDM)
Nodes = Activities Activity 1

Li k
Links = Relationships
R l ti hi

Activity 1
Finish‐Start
Activity 2
Construction
i j
Network
Relationships between nodes

Activity A
Activity A Activity B
Activity B Independent
Activity A
Activity A Activity B
Activity B
D
Dependent
d t
Activity A
Activity A

Activity C Merge
Activity B
Activity B

Activity B
Burst
Activity A
Activity C
Other classifications of relationships

Activity A Activity B EExplicit and 

li i d
Implicit
Activity C

Activity A Activity B
Predecessor‐
Successor
Activity B

Activity A Concurrent
Activity C
Types of Activities on a Network

Start
Dummy
Activities
Finish

Milestones

Activity 1
Activity 1 Tasks
 Draw a Network

Joint

One Set of Wall and Footing Forms are Available
Construction Method
 WBS
Task Description D ration
Duration

1 Footing 1 5 Days

2 Footing
g2 5 Days
y

3 Wall 1 3 Days

4 Wall 2 3 Days
 The Network Diagram

2
Footing 2
4
Wall 2
1
Start Finish
Footing 1
3
Wall 1
 Redundant Links

Activity A Activity B

Activity C
 How to Build a Network or a 
Precedence Diagram
1. Understand the Construction Methodology
Understand the Construction Methodology

2 Generate a WBS
2. Generate a WBS

3 Identify Dependencies between Activities
3. Id tif D d i b t A ti iti

4. Build the Network
 Bridge Problem

2 3
4

5 6
7
9

8 10
11
12

14
15 16
13
17 18
Bridge Problem – Ball of Strings

2 3
4

5 6
7
9

8 10
11
12

14
15 16
13
17 18
 Bridge – Precedence Diagram

1
4
5 7 9 13 11
Start 2
16
6 8 10 14 17
12
18

15

Finish
PD without constructing Ball of Strings 
N
Network k

Activity Depends Upon

A -
B A
C E,F
D E
E A
F -
Step 1 – Add Start and Finish to establish 
B
Boundaries
d i

Activity Depends Upon

Start -
A Start
B A
C E,F
D E
E A
F Start
Finish B,C,D
Step 2 – Determine Sequence Steps 
Through Cycles
Activity Depends Sequence Steps
Upon Cycle 1 Cycle 2
Start - 1 1

A Start 2 2

B A 3 3

C E,F ‐ 4
‐ 4
D E
E A 3 3

F S
Start 2 2

Finish B,C,D ‐ 5
 Step 3 – The Network 
1 2 3 4 5

A B D

Finish
Start E

F C
 How Do you Estimate Activity Time?

• Intuition/Experience

• Random Guessing
d G i

• Historical Data and Statistical Methods

• Use Estimating Guides
 Adding Contingencies

• Why do you add contingencies?
Why do you add contingencies?
– Weather
– Strikes
– Holidays
– Political/Economic issues
/
• How do you add contingencies?
– To all Activities
– To affected activities
– As a separate activity?
p y
 Some thoughts to Keep in Mind

• The
The First Activity Starts at Time t= 0
First Activity Starts at Time t= 0
• Be consistent while representing time 
elements E g a 12 hour activity is
elements. E.g. a 12 hour activity is
– 1 day?
– 2 days?
2d ?
– 0.5 days?
– 1.5 days?
– 3 days (including weekend)?
 Summary – What you need to 
construct a PD or an AoN diagram

1. Proper understanding of construction 
methods
2. A good WBS
3. Relationships between Activities and 
Duration
4. The techniques we have studied
 Can we answer these questions with 
the PD’s that we have produced?
• When is the earliest an activity can Start?

• When is the latest that it can finish?

• How much leeway does an activity have?
Thank You
Thank You