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Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science pp 141–142Cite as

Construction applications

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Due to their size and complexity, most construction projects would appear to offer a wide potential for MS/OR applications. For example, the standard critical path models of PERT, CPM and precedence diagrams are particularly successful in construction. However, apart from these models, we find that MS/OR are not often used in construction. Schelle (1990, p. 111) summarizes, “In project management the large number of publications about operations research topics contrast to the small number of real applications.”

Here, we review three major areas of construction where MS/OR applications could occur — job estimation and tendering, project planning, and project management and control. Factors inhibiting the application of MS/OR in construction projects are discussed and possible future developments are canvassed.

JOB ESTIMATION AND TENDERING

Some MS/OR models have been applied to job estimation. Job estimation requires trade-offs between time and cost. Early MS/OR work assumed direct...

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Chad Perry

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  1. Chad Perry
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Part, Maryland, USA

    Saul I. Gass

  2. School of Information Technology & Engineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA

    Carl M. Harris

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© 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Perry, C. (2001). Construction applications . In: Gass, S.I., Harris, C.M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-0611-X_159

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-0611-X_159

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-7827-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-0611-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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