A new approach for project scheduling using fuzzy dependency structure matrix

As an alternative solution, the Dependency Structure Matrix (DSM) is a useful tool in project scheduling when approaching information dependency issues between activities. However, the current DSM approach faces the dilemma that the overlap of activities cannot be precisely estimated in the planning...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal of project management Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 503 - 510
Main Authors Shi, Qian, Blomquist, Tomas
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2012
Elsevier Science Ltd
Subjects
Business and economics
Business studies
DSM
Effectiveness studies
Ekonomi
Fuzzy set theory
Fuzzy sets
Företagsekonomi
Information management
Matrix
Project management
Project scheduling
SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP
Scheduling algorithms
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Project scheduling
Fuzzy set theory
Project management
DSM
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Summary:As an alternative solution, the Dependency Structure Matrix (DSM) is a useful tool in project scheduling when approaching information dependency issues between activities. However, the current DSM approach faces the dilemma that the overlap of activities cannot be precisely estimated in the planning stage of a project, and the solution calls for a robust methodology for managing schedules within uncertain conditions of information dependency. The aim of our research is to propose an approach that utilizes fuzzy set theory to solve the problem within an uncertain environment. As an extension of traditional DSM-based scheduling, we describe the overlap and duration of activities as fuzzy numbers and put forth a systematic algorithm to calculate the time variables of activities and project duration thereof. An example is also provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm. ► DSM is powerful when approaching information dependency issues. ► Fuzzy DSM can manage schedules within uncertain conditions. ► Triangular fuzzy numbers are suitable for describing the vagueness of scheduling.
ISSN:0263-7863
1873-4634
1873-4634
DOI:10.1016/j.ijproman.2011.11.003