PROJECT-SCHEDULING OPTIMISATION TECHNIQUES: [First Edition] Part of © KiUkA Books © [ORMS] Series (© KiUkA BOOKS © [Operations Research (Management Science)] SERIES)

Consider a problem involving the preparation of lunch on lecture days by students living together encompassing the tasks preparation of the stove [PS], cooking of ‘papa’ [CP], cooking of stew [CS], dishing and taking lunch [TL] and washing of dishes [WD]. They have determined that tasks CP and PS cannot start until task PS is complete while task TL can only start when tasks CP and CS are complete. Given the predetermined time duration of the tasks, they would like to schedule the tasks in such a way that the overall time taken in preparing and taking their lunch is minimised. The solutions to such problems [referred to as project-scheduling optimisation problems] are profoundly catered for through network optimisation models referred to as project-scheduling frameworks. This book in its first edition, a part of the © KiUkA Books © [Operations Research (Management Science)] Series, discusses the knowledge on and application of these value-adding techniques.

As in other books of the series the KiUkweli [facts-based] Approach is used in the development of the subject matter in the book. The approach focuses on ORMS modelling rather than mathematical-graph-theory approach to project-scheduling optimisation models; with four distinct features. First the epistemological formation of Network Analysis as a sub-discipline of ORMS [in particular the epistemology of project-scheduling optimisation] has been explicitly introduced and emphasised throughout the book. Second a clear distinction is made between for example a network [as a mathematical-graph-theory tool in network optimisation models] and the project-scheduling optimisation problem represented by the network. Third emphasis is made in differentiating a project-scheduling optimisation framework [like a CPA framework] from the project-scheduling optimisation problem solved through the framework. Fourth data and decision making are underscored as the underpinnings of the application of the models in solving the optimisation problems.

The presentation format in the book is optimised for costs minimisation. And the writing style is deliberately chosen to make the book virtually lecture project-scheduling optimisation techniques to the reader. That is to say first [in the eBook version] the versatile Kindle-Create bookmarks lead to easy topics/tables/figures reference. Second the paragraphs are numbered and itemised [the lawyers’ style] for easy cross reference of concepts throughout the book; thereby eliminating the need for hyperlinks in the eBook version. And third the subject matter exposition is in such a way that the reader enjoys the knowledge and its applications without fear of numbers, mathematical formulae and figures.

The main topics covered are as below:
1: FOUNDATION CONCEPTS IN NETWORK ANALYSIS
1.1: GENERAL NATURE OF ORMS
1.2: EXPOSITION OF NETWORK OPTIMISATION
1.3: OVERVIEW OF NETWORKS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS
2: NEOPAMETS AND NETWORK OPTIMISATION PROBLEMS
2.1: BASIC CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS
2.2: PROJECT-SCHEDULING NEOPAMETS AND OPTIMISATION PROBLEMS
2.3: OTHER NEOPAMETS AND NETWORK OPTIMISATION PROBLEMS
3: PROJECT-SCHEDULING OPTIMISATION FRAMEWORKS UNDER CERTAINTY
3.1: ACTIVITIES, EVENTS AND PROJECTS
3.2: CPA [CRITICAL PATH ANALYSIS] FRAMEWORKS
4: PROJECT-SCHEDULING OPTIMISATION FRAMEWORKS UNDER UNCERTAINTY
4.1: PROJECT CRASHING AND ACTIVITY COSTS
4.2: PERT [PROJECT EVALUATION AND REVIEW TECHNIQUE] FRAMEWORKS