Using ASTA Powerproject BIM programming tool, you are assigned to produce an effective construction programme of the project to allow the following functions: Gantt chart and CPM Networks, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Resource’s histograms, Progress Tracking, Risk simulation graphs and produce a critical evaluative report including all tasks below for the approval from the project manager. (Note: please see the attached doc to see the Appendixe 1, 2 & 3 )(Note: i recomend to see the complete assignment brief in attached doc)

Assignment Brief :

A construction company called “R&S” has been awarded recently a building project to develop within Merseyside, UK. The project manager has identified the possible list of major activities of the project and required resources to perform each activity. Appendix 1 provides information about the project activities, duration of each activity, resource allocation and WBS but you need to identify the project logic (activity links and their relationship). Appendix 2 provides definitions on different activity relationships and Appendix 3 shows the progress tracking/monitoring data after week 18 from the start date of the project.

You are a newly employed planning manager for the project. Using ASTA Powerproject BIM programming tool, you are assigned to produce an effective construction programme of the project to allow the following functions: Gantt chart and CPM Networks, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Resource’s histograms, Progress Tracking, Risk simulation graphs and produce a critical evaluative report including all tasks below for the approval from the project manager

______________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Gantt chart with CPM network and WBS (Max 25 marks)

A.Produce a construction programme of a building project using ASTA Powerproject BIM software. Calculate and show some information in table such as project Start Time (ST) and Finish Time (FT), Task Duration (TD), Critical Tasks (CT), Total Float (TF) and Free Float (FF) based on As Soon as Possible (ASAP) method. Also, identify critical path and effective project duration. You must draw manually Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) of all tasks at level 3 of the project and show them also in the programme as WBS code in Gantt Chart.

B. Critically evaluate the significance of the Critical Path Method (CPM) and the WBS at the planning stage for the successful delivery of a project. Also, discuss the changes to the Critical Path and possible impact in project delivery if the project is developed using As Late as Possible (ALAP) method in the above example (Max 400 words).

2. Resource optimisation (Max 25 marks)

A. Produce the smoothed resource histograms for all resources. (Use A4 or A3 sheet as required). Recommend the optimum resource pool for skilled and unskilled resources required for successful completion of the project based on allocated resources and provide your justification. Moreover, explain why the resource smoothing and levelling is important for optimising the resources demand in a project. (200 words)

B Carry out resource levelling for equipment resource only, identify max possible extension of project and discuss how the activities might be delayed beyond Latest Start Date (LST) to cater for the limits on equipment resources because of equipment resource levelling. Assume the resource pool for equipment is 6 units per day only for whole project. Critically evaluate the significance for a project manager approaches in the resource management in project delivery on time and budged cost. (200 words)

3. Progress tracking (max 25 marks)

A. Track the project progress at the end of week 18 from the project start date based on the progress recorded as shown in appendix 3. Assume that the practical site progress of all other tasks before week 18 if appendix-3 is not application to your project. In addition, you need to consider the following exceptional three events that occurred in the project as shown below and identify the total possible delay in the project due these events.

I. The steelwork contractor suffered labour resource problems and started the structural steel frame 2 weeks late.

II. The client changed the specification to the service duct, which caused the service duct to commence 3 weeks later than the planned date on the programme and take 2 weeks longer.

III. Due to adverse weather, the duration of the sub-structure brick walls increased by 4 weeks, although the task started on schedule.

B. Critically evaluate the impact of these delays as listed in task4a on other activities and overall project delivery date. Also, discuss the possible measures considered by a project manager to reduce the consequential impact on the possible liquated damage and variation claim of time and cost (400 words).

4. Risk Simulation and Analysis (max 25 marks)

A. Conduct a sensitivity risk analysis of the project using Monte Carlo simulation (assume max 15% higher and min 15% lower than the estimated duration of the selected tasks using code library approach due to the influence of risk factors in each activity of the project). Present the comparative results with probability of completing the project with Min and Max time in your report under two sampling scenarios of risk simulation: a) Latin Hypercube and b) Monte Carlo. Assume normal distribution for both scenarios. Tables and/or graphs are likely to be useful in helping to present the results clearly.

B. Critically analyse the likelihood/probability of the delivery date of the project on time or possible variation with confidence level under both scenarios. Also, discuss the practical importance of standard deviation values under both sampling methods on project completion possibility and possible measures that may be taken by the project manager to ensure the project is completed on time (400 words).

Project Information

• Start the project on the 04-Oct- 2021.
• Use the default UK working calendar (i.e., Saturdays and Sundays are nonworking days, 8 working hours in a day)
• Use resource unit as decimal.
• Use fixed duration and set unit as weeks.
• Clearly identify each part of the answers to the questions.
• Use header and footers to clearly indicate what the chart or graph is showing
• You must adhere strictly to the limit of words specified for each question.
• The project is expected to complete within 16-20 months.

Appendix 1, 2 and 3(please see the attached doc for appendix)