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Abstract
The purpose of this research was to investigate, document and analyze the relationship between perturbations in time schedules of a construction project and the potential for future Construction Claims based on the same scheduled work, and to develop an Interactive Program to assist a Decison Maker (DM) in the avoidance, justification, and/or defense of potential Construction Claims.
A model was created that resembles the phenomenon under study. This model contains a modified Critical Path Method (CPM) time schedule. Procedures were then developed to perform the following functions on the model: (a) generate and update CPM time schedules; (b) detect and report, to the DM, perturbations in the time schedules in a timely fashion; (c) provide deterministic and statistical data, based solely on recent performance to assist the DM in predicting future schedule adherence; (d) provide data via a brief Claims Data Base to serve as a guide in making decisions related to potential Construction Claims.
The Interactive Program was developed, on an APPLE II micro-computer, to implement these functions and to display, for the DM's selection, a menu of entry points to the Claims Data Base. These entry points are from the subject headings of The Government Contractor: 21 Year Index. The Interactive Program makes no decisions regarding potential Construction Claims, but "flags" the DM when schedule perturbations indicate changes in contractual dates. It then provides hints to assist in determining responsibility for the perturbations, deterministic and statistical data to predict future schedule adherence, and suggestions for the avoidance, justification, and/or defense of potential Construction Claims.
An actual project was selected and construction progress simulated using Monte Carlo simulation techniques in order to demonstrate the Interactive Program and the decision making process.
