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PurposeThe 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/approachThe 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.FindingsThe 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/valueThe proposed BSCA algorithm determines both the project buffer and feeding buffers and simultaneously controls their consumption in a dynamic way.

Oil and gas projects are integrated with a huge number of uncertainties due to their unique characteristics, complexities and uncertain environment. The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate the main risks of this type of projects based on the PMBOK guide under sanctions and uncertain conditions. The main risks were identified through document analysis which were finally reduced to 17 risks through expert judgments using fuzzy Delphi method. The experts included 15 people with more than ten years’ practical experience in the oil and gas projects. The results of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed all risks in terms of statistical population. Then, the interrelations between risks and their importance weights were determined by using hybrid fuzzy DEMATEL-ANP technique. The final results showed that political and economic sanctions have the highest weight, followed by the attraction of foreign investors and the lack of regional infrastructure.

Purpose This study aims to introduce an efficient project buffer and resource management (PBRM) model for project resource leveling and project buffer sizing and controlling of project buffer consumption of a wind power plant project to achieve a more realistic project duration. Design/methodology/approach The methodology of this research consists of three main phases. In the first phase of the research methodology, resource leveling is done in the project and resource conflicts of activities are identified. In the second phase, the project critical chain is determined, and the appropriate size of the project buffer is specified. In the third phase of the methodology, buffer consumption is controlled and monitored during the project implementation. After using the PBRM method, the results of this project were compared with those of the previous projects. Findings According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that using PBRM model in this wind turbine project construction, the project duration became 25 per cent shorter than the scheduled duration and also 29 per cent shorter than average duration of previous similar projects. Research limitations/implications One of the major problems with projects is that they are not completed according to schedule, and this creates time delays and losses in the implementation of projects. Today, as projects in the energy sector, especially renewable projects, are on the increase and also we are facing resource constraint in the implementation of projects, using scheduling techniques to minimize delays and obtain more realistic project duration is necessary. Practical implications This research was carried out in a wind farm project. In spite of the initial plan duration of 142 days and average duration of previous similar projects of 146 days, the project was completed in 113 days. Originality/value This paper introduces a practical project buffer and resource management model for project resource leveling, project buffer sizing and buffer consumption monitoring to reach a more realistic schedule in energy sector. This study adds to the literature by proposing the PBRM model in renewable energy sector.

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.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an efficient model for project buffer sizing by taking failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) into account to reach a more realistic schedule. Design/methodology/approach In the first phase of the project, several turbines were installed according to the primary schedule with an average duration of 142 days. Then, some of critical chain project management algorithms were separately applied in the implementation and installation of the other wind turbines. The adaptive procedure with resource tightness (APRT) method turned out to be the best method in terms of obtaining a more realistic schedule in this case study. Finally, FMEA was simultaneously applied with APRT. Findings Applying the hybrid method to the scheduling of the wind turbines, yielded the more realistic schedule than traditional. Research limitations/implications The proposed hybrid APRT-FMEA algorithm was implemented on a real wind farm construction project which was completed with 37 percent shorter duration than the initial estimation; in spite of the initial estimation of 142 days, the project completed in 103 days. Practical implications Introducing and implementing a new algorithm which is a combination of buffer sizing algorithms and one of the well-known and mostly used risk assessment methods in order to provide the more realistic project schedule in the construction of wind turbines. Originality/value Introducing and implementing a novel algorithm which is a combination of conventional buffer sizing method and one of the efficient risk assessment methods in order to make the schedule more realistic.

Information cycle contains techniques and tools utilized to collect, combine, and distribute the output of the processes involved in project management. Information cycle in construction (ICC) are systems which assist project managers in implementation of projects. An ICC is capable of dramatically improving processes throughout projects. Information cycle in wind farms is an innovative solution for analyzing and measurement data in management of wind farms execution. This research was carried out as a case study on Kahak wind farm power plant (KWFPP) project which is a renewable project. This paper presents the effects of information cycle in construction on project management in KWFPP project. This paper aims to determine the possible effects of information cycle in construction on project management in this renewable project. In this article, along with presenting a model, the status of project management system in KWFPP project will be evaluated and examined. The findings of the research suggest that ICC significantly contributes to great achievements and efficiency of the project management and KWFPP project.

This study examines the role of strategic talent management in project success, considering the organizational commitment, job satisfaction and motivation as mediators. The valuable impact of strategic talent management in project success has not been determined in previous studies. This research aims to study this factor in Iranian project-based organizations. The statistical population consisted of project team members in a private company with more than 200 employees involved in oil and gas filed. The research method was descriptive correlation and data collection tool was questionnaire. The research hypotheses were tested based on the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method. Collected data were analyzed by SMART PLS software. SEM results showed that there is a positive relation between management of strategic talent and project success with factor loading equal to 0.438. This study was conducted in a private project based company in the field of oil and gas.

Uncertainties and risks are always associated with large real world projects and may obstacle and threaten projects in some ways. Failure in accurately identifying the project risks increases the total cost and may cause social and environmental damages as well as casualties during project execution. The aim of this study is to develop a mathematical programming model for selecting risk response strategies for construction projects. All risk response strategies for the analysed project have been identified and a mathematical model is presented based on project iron triangle; time, cost and quality to obtain the optimal risk response strategy for the construction project.

Project closure is a significant and mandatory process, particularly in mega projects. During the closing phase, mega projects often encounter a number of problems including lack of budget, shortage of required resources, disputes and claims. This paper presents a scientific procedure for performing closing process group in mega projects. This study was conducted on a Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) mega project in Esfahan as a case study. A project planning system has been integrated with a continuous project control system in order to execute and utilize this process group. The aim of this paper is to apply an appropriate planning for implementation of the CCPP project in the closing phase with minimum deviation. The proposed closing process consists of a preliminary phase, transition planning, and four major phases, such as physical, contractual, legal and financial closure. After performing the process group, the results of this project were compared with results obtained from similar projects in term of time. Implementing this process group definitely enabled us to meet projects deadline with minimum deviation.