CAD of human resource configuration in project scheduling for construction engineering applications

The critical path method is the primary technique for project scheduling in construction engineering. However, the development of enterprises outside Taiwan has recently encountered difficulties in personnel dispatch and human resource acquisition. The management of time schedules without the consideration of human resource configuration may cause enterprises to make unrealistic decisions. Hence, the problems of project scheduling with limited human resources have been increasingly attracting attention from construction enterprises. Based on limited human resource configuration, this study uses computer aided design tool with a linear programming method to conduct a project scheduling for the optimal model with minimized costs for construction engineering applications. We find that the programming trial balance can effectively solve the problem of limited human resource configuration and compute the lowest construction costs. Specifically, the lowest cost obtained from the programming solution is RMB 25,315,752, which is RMB 1,920,632 lower than that in the former solution without resource constraints. Further, the scheduling procedure obtained by using the shortest path method connects with the programming trial balance to resolve the problem by changing the decision variables and relevant data, whose connection is easier and more convenient than under the pure critical path method. Moreover, according to the idea of CDIO engineering education, allowing the students to participate in scientific research project and scientific and technological innovation activities of different levels and types, it improves students' learning capacity, innovation capability, cooperation capability, and engineering practical ability.