(1) Explain your problem, don't simply post "This isn't working". What were you doing when you faced the problem? What have you tried to resolve - did you look for a solution using "Search" ? Has it happened just once or several times?
(2) It's also good to get feedback when a solution is found, return to the original post to explain how it was resolved so that more people can also use the results.
I am developing a construction schedule for a power plant project. Project is in early stage and we do not have any construction manager to assist with the planning effort. I have man hours for all major activities and now I need to convert those manhours in durations. I need to know the standard size and mix of crews for major construction disciplines e.g. Piling, foundations, earth work, Piping, mechanical, electrical and insulation. Is there any body who can guide me about this issue? How can I find this information? Is there any data book or website?
Thanks
Raja
Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
Naveed,
If I was in your situation, the first thing I would do is to find out the standard production rates for each major activity, for example Piling, We know that piling works is driven by the number of plant or piling rigs we have and these works are also subject to the ground conditions in your area or work place. You can find a lot of reference concerning production rates in the internet and you can adapt these rates but you need to evaluate the ground conditions in your area and another factor obviously depends on the skill level of the workforce available in your area.
Now, given that you have the manhours and production rates, you can now more or less calculate the duration, crew size and number of gangs you need, yuo may need to play around with the numbers to strike a balance and effeciency.
Best of luck.
Daniel
It is possible that somebody made those up as well - or simply made the numbers conform to what they expected/wanted. I think the answer is that without investing your time developing a spreadsheet and database or proposing that your company invests in a software license and database - both not bad ideas if you plan to continue in this industry - there is no simple answer to your question.
Daniel,
Crew size and mix have not been mentioned in the estimate. They have only man hours and cost.
Regards
Naveed,
Who estimated the manhours in the first place? In order to do that means, he has a pretty good idea of the quantities involved and the standard production rates for each type of activity. What I am saying is that The information may already be exsting and you just need to ask or dig a little bit further. If you are the main contractor, then you need to look at the tender, review what were the assumptions and basis during the tender, the construction methodolgy and workflow, etc.
Best regards,
Daniel
Forest,
Thank you very much for your help and guidance. I have only one concern about RSMeans cost book that they provide data about commercial construction ( building, roads, bridges etc.). Do they have something about industrial plants construction? I am working on a power generation plant.
Regards
Naveed Raja
Calgary
You have three options
Also, you still need production rates, Duration = QTO / [(unit/hour) * crewSize:default=4 * #crews(adjust for 1:desiredDuration, 2: max# < local resources available) * ...lots of other factors * FactorOfSafety] or find a crew-based production rate
A shortcut: find your crital path, then what the driving applied resource is for those activities, and if those applied resources are limited, find the expected crew production rate for these - or do a time-step analysis and derive the production, the CAT handbook has tables to calculate equipment production, and fake-in the other activities so they fall in and assume they are crewed to the needed production. The cost: what if the critical path changes and now your schedule is based on data you madeup - probably as good as you can be expected to accomplish and even then better than most schedules.
Email: PPadmin@planningplanet.com
Replies