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Purpose: This research presents a multiproject scheduling and resource management (MPSRM) model that includes an M/M/c/n queue system, a p-hub median model, a parallel machine scheduling and a hub location problem solution method. This research aims to design a project network and then sequence raw materials delivery to hub factories. Design/methodology/approach: This research is implemented as a case study in construction and industrial company. It considers several mines to supply raw materials for production in hub factories. In the sequencing phase, a parallel mine scheduling problem specifies the delivery of raw materials to hub factories. Furthermore, a multisource project scheduling model is studied and designed for building project-oriented companies. Findings: The results suggest that the proposed MPSRM model in this study significantly reduces project transportation costs. Therefore, creating accurate planning in projects, especially in construction projects where transportation plays an important role, can help reduce time and costs. Researchers, project managers and those dealing with projects can use this model to exploit their projects. Research limitations/implications: When the number of construction projects in a construction company increases in a region, choosing an appropriate strategy to supply resources and raw materials becomes very important in terms of profit and loss and project completion as scheduled. An increase in transportation demands alongside the economic development on the one hand and providing competitive transportation services, on the other hand, have increasingly spotlighted the significance of hub networks in transportation systems. In addition, in this research, there is no suitable access road from the mines to the project sites, and considering the workload, if any of the projects become a hub, a proper road should be built. Originality/value: To the best of the knowledge, there is no outstanding research in which a p-hub median location problem by considering queuing model and different transportation modes and a parallel machine scheduling problem are studied simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this research is to propose a buffer sizing and buffer controlling algorithm (BSCA) as a heuristic algorithm for calculating project buffer and feeding buffers as well as dynamic controlling of buffer consumption in different phases of a wind power plant project in order to achieve a more realistic project duration. Design/methodology/approach: The BSCA algorithm has two main phases of planning and buffer sizing and construction and buffer consumption. Project buffer and feeding buffers are determined in the planning and buffer sizing phase, and their consumption is controlled in the construction and buffer consumption phase. The heuristic algorithm was coded and run in MATLAB software. The sensitivity analysis was conducted to show the BSCA influence on project implementation. Then, to evaluate the BSCA algorithm, inputs from this project were run through several algorithms recently presented by researchers. Finally, the data of 20 projects previously accomplished by the company were applied to compare the proposed algorithm. Findings: The results show that BSCA heuristic algorithm outperformed the other algorithms as it shortened the projects' durations. The average project completion time using the BSCA algorithm was reduced by about 15% compared to the previous average project completion time. Originality/value: The proposed BSCA algorithm determines both the project buffer and feeding buffers and simultaneously controls their consumption in a dynamic way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to introduce a reconfigurable model that is a combination of a schedule model and a queuing system M/M/m/K to reduce the duration of the wind turbine construction project closure phase and reduce the project documentation waiting time in the queue. Design/methodology/approach: This research was implemented in a wind farm project. The schedule model deals with reducing the duration of the turbines closure phase by an activity overlapping technique, and the queuing system deals with reducing the turbine documentation waiting time in the queue, as well as reducing the probability of server idleness during the closure phase. Findings: After the implementation of the model, the obtained results were compared to those of similar previously conducted projects in terms of duration, and the model was found effective. Research limitations/implications: Project closure is an important and mandatory process in all projects. More often than not, this process is faced with problems including prolonged project duration, disputes, lawsuits, and also in projects like the implementation of wind farms, a queue of documents at closing stage may also cause difficulties in project closure phase. Originality/value: The contributions of this research are twofold: first, a combination of project management and queuing system is presented, and second, a reconfigurable model is introduced to enhance the performance and productivity of the closure phase of the project through reducing the implementation time and reducing the turbine documentation waiting time in the queue, as well as reducing the probability of server idleness during the closure phase of the wind farm project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]