Visually Scheduling Construction Projects

Abstract

This paper presents a simple, flexible and intuitive approach for activity sequencing and project scheduling. Several construction scheduling professionals were consulted during development of this approach. The most important attribute desired by the industry professionals was flexibility to rapidly revise activity definitions and relationships allowing fast schedule modifications and what-if analysis. Considering the needs and suggestions of construction industry professionals and using the latest visualization technology, a graphics application was developed using Microsoft DirectX Graphics Library. The application interfaces with Revit CAD software to extract a building project's geometry and material information which is then used to create a virtual prototype of the project. Users can walk inside the virtual building for visualization of the project and sequencing project activities by selecting tasks and predecessors. The application interfaces with MS Project and provides an intuitive and flexible method to digitally transfer activity information to the schedule. The visual approach presented in this paper attempts to increase scheduling efficiency by incorporating the findings of modern cognitive theories that suggest human brain interacts more effectively with 3D virtual worlds than a long list of project activities and textual content.