APPLICATION OF A MULTIPLE CRITERIA PROJECT CRASHING MODEL FOR THE ASH HANDLING SYSTEM OF A SUPER THERMAL POWER STATION

Abstract

The primary aim of this dissertation work is to carry out a project crashing analysis using Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques for the time-cost control of a multi-activity project. The study has been carried out for a project involving the installation of the Bottom Ash Handling System for a Super Thermal Power Station. After the preparation of a network activity chart, the Multi-Criteria Project Crashing Model suggested by Lee et al, has been utilized to carry out a time-cost trade-off analysis, as the situation involves the simultaneous consideration of multiple conflicting objectives. The project network has, therefore, been formulated as a Goal Programming Model, which includes the various managerial objectives as goal constraints and 'associated priorities. The results are obtained using a computer package suggested by Lee. A software package specially developed during the course of this study, for the adoption of Siemens Approximation Method (SAM) algorithm, has been used for the determination of an optimum project crashing cost, keeping in view the single objective of 'Cost Minimization'. A computer package for the Fulkerson's Flow Network Algorithm has then been utilized for the generation of a project cost curve as well as for the verification of the SAM results. The study reveals that some, but not all, of the objectives specified for the multiple objective problem are fully achieved; the results obtained using the SAM technique are in good agreement with the Fulkerson algorithm results; the project cost curve generated proves to be an important management tool for deciding the exact project crashing schedule. It is concluded that for situations involving conflicting multiple objectives MCDM techniques present a realistic approach to decision making.