Crew Scheduling @ Brussels Airlines
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OR-AS has successfully finished a simulation study to construct alternative schedules for crews based on the current pairings (i.e. the flight scheme) for all European flights of Brussels Airlines. Based on a in-house developed optimization model, we worked in collaboration with Brussels Airlines on an improved satisfaction of all pilots, an increasing productivity for block hours and a better work/vacation pattern (days on/off) in order to construct an optimal crew schedule. |
EVM study @ Measuring Time
Earned value systems have been set up to deal with the complex task of controlling and adjusting the baseline project schedule during execution, taking into account project scope, timed delivery and total project budget. It is a well-known and generally accepted management system that integrates cost, schedule and technical performance. It is mainly used to calculate cost and schedule variances, performance indices and forecasts of a project's final cost and duration. The earned value method provides early indications of project performance to highlight the need for eventual corrective actions.
The research study of this book deals with the project performance and control phase of the project life cycle, and the corresponding feedback loop from control to planning and scheduling to take corrective actions when necessary. More precisely, the focus is on a reactive scheduling early warning system by means of earned value metrics. Although EVM has been set up to follow up both time and cost, the majority of the research has been focused on the cost aspect. Recently, different sources in literature show that the 'classic' earned value metrics fail in predicting the total project duration in an accurate way. The research study in this book aims at filling that gap and investigates the time dimension of earned value management systems and their potential to predict the final duration of a project. The research study can be useful for project managers for small and medium sized enterprises and aims to give partial answers on the following questions:
- Which method do you use best for your project with given characteristics?
- What is the expected accuracy of your project measurement system?
- What are the parameters that influence your project performance measurement accuracy?
- When do you take corrective actions?
Project Scheduling @ VMW
The Vlaamse Maatschappij voor Watervoorziening (VMW) is a Flemish company producing purified water. The project schedule for a capacity expensian project aims at the minimisation of cash flows over time. While the commercial software packages mainly focus on project lead-time minization, a newly developed algorithm optimizes the net present value of the cash flows during the project duration.
Dynamic scheduling @ ProTrack
ProTrack (acronym for Project Tracking) is a project scheduling and tracking software tool developed by OR-AS to offer a straightforward yet effective alternative to the numerous project scheduling and tracking software tools.The software has been built based on the results of various award winning research studies and many discussions with practitioners using earned value management.
The scheduling and tracking approach is based on the current best practices of earned value management and novel concepts.ProTrack includes many dynamic features and integrates project scheduling (the project baseline) and risk management (schedule risk analysis) with project tracking and monitoring.
Project Scheduling @ Westerscheldetunnel
| The Westerscheldetunnel project connects the two sides of the Westerschelde. The project schedule for a sub-project to construct the cross passages aims at the minimisation of idle time of a complex and expensive freezing machine. |