Construction Delay Analysis under Multiple Baseline Updates

Abstract

Due to the inherent risks and increasing complexity of modern construction projects, delays and cost overruns have become common facts in the industry. Researchers and practitioners have used many techniques to assess project delays and apportion delay responsibility among the parties involved. Windows delay analysis has been recognized as one of the most credible techniques for analyzing construction delays. Despite its benefits, windows analysis can produce different results depending on the window size, it does not consider owner and contractor acceleration, it does not systematically consider the impact of several baseline updates made due to changes in the duration and logical relationships of the activities, and it does not consider the impact of the progress events on resource over-allocation and its consequent delays.

This study proposes a computerized schedule analysis model that considers multiple baseline updates and resource over-allocation. The model uses a daily window size in order to consider all fluctuations in the critical path(s) and uses a legible representation of progress information to accurately apportion delays and accelerations among project parties. To facilitate its use, the model has been incorporated into a computer tool, EasyPlan, which integrates estimating, scheduling, resource management, and project control. A simple case study has been implemented on the proposed delay analysis model in order to demonstrate its accuracy and usefulness.