Track: Project Management

Abstract

Critical Path Method (CPM) is prevalent in Construction Management. Professionals (upper management) of the above discipline use this method to plan a construction project. The plan formulated using CPM is discarded by the field team because it is a paradox. The paradox is caused by the inability of the field team to adhere to the construction plan made by the upper management using the CPM. It is also the formal plan in the field of construction management and many government agencies perquisite CPM application for completing the project to disburse the first payment to the company. The CPM is cut short by on-site /work management plans which are short-term in nature to complete the project at hand. Investigation for the potential drawbacks and their reasons should be done to increase the reliability and thus the efficiency of CPM. The investigation involves the study of Action Theory which helps in finding out the reasons behind the failure of CPM in completing the project on time parallelly reducing the project cost. Deliberative Action Theory, a type of action theory, is typically used in the development of a project plan which requires planning each project activity by the project manager which is a drawback as proved by the Situated Action Theory. The investigation is supported by visualizing a hypothetical scenario that showcases that the application of the Critical Path Method to complete the project on time is ineffective. It takes an example of a Construction Company which uses CPM to develop a project plan such that the project is completed on time. Based on the investigation hypothesis, some potential improvements for the effective and efficient application of CPM are suggested. The suggestion is supported by a case study that takes an example of a furniture manufacturing company that utilizes CPM and PERT to develop a project plan to complete the project on time and at the same time reduce the project costs.Critical Path Method (CPM) is prevalent in Construction Management. Professionals (upper management) of the above discipline use this method to plan a construction project. The plan formulated using CPM is discarded by the field team because it is a paradox. The paradox is caused by the inability of the field team to adhere to the construction plan made by the upper management using the CPM. It is also the formal plan in the field of construction management and many government agencies perquisite CPM application for completing the project to disburse the first payment to the company. The CPM is cut short by on-site /work management plans which are short-term in nature to complete the project at hand. Investigation for the potential drawbacks and their reasons should be done to increase the reliability and thus the efficiency of CPM. The investigation involves the study of Action Theory which helps in finding out the reasons behind the failure of CPM in completing the project on time parallelly reducing the project cost. Deliberative Action Theory, a type of action theory, is typically used in the development of a project plan which requires planning each project activity by the project manager which is a drawback as proved by the Situated Action Theory. The investigation is supported by visualizing a hypothetical scenario that showcases that the application of the Critical Path Method to complete the project on time is ineffective. It takes an example of a Construction Company which uses CPM to develop a project plan such that the project is completed on time. Based on the investigation hypothesis, some potential improvements for the effective and efficient application of CPM are suggested. The suggestion is supported by a case study that takes an example of a furniture manufacturing company that utilizes CPM and PERT to develop a project plan to complete the project on time and at the same time reduce the project costs.