PERT Scheduling with Resource Constraints Using Qualitative Simulation Graphs

Abstract

The Qualitative Simulation Graph Methodology (QSGM) is well suited to address the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) scheduling-with-resources problem. In QSGM, all possible scenarios are characterized in the problem. This is called the coverage property. The coverage property of QSGM has two important implications for the PERT scheduling problem. First, it means that all possible schedules are represented. Second, it means that the model can characterize all possible outcomes of a decision that needs to be made in the schedule. This gives rise to the possibility of robust scheduling decisions without the need to rerun the schedule because actual activity durations differ from estimated activity durations.