Level: Intermediate
Author(s): Brian J. Furniss, PE CFCC PSP; Cory Milburn, CFCC PSP; John P. Orr, PSP
Venue: 2017 AACE International Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL
Abstract: The Half-Step, or bifurcation, method of schedule updating and analysis is used to segregate the effect on the schedule caused by activity progress and schedule revisions (changed durations, added activities, activity relationships, or other non-progress factors). The comingling of progress updates and schedule revisions often results in an inconclusive or misleading assessment of schedule status when compared to prior schedule updates. Additionally, schedule revisions may conceal other issues with progress or production delays. While this process is often used after the project to identify and quantify delay impacts, we propose expanding its use during the project as a way to objectively assess performance, discuss the plan moving forward, and resolve potential disputes in a more-timely manner.
Phase 1 of this topic concerned the underlying principles of Half-Step Analysis and was presented by others at the AACE 2016 Annual Meeting (CDR-2305). This paper builds upon the principles from Phase I and provides technical examples of the half-step application, including real-life case studies and interpretation of what the data may, or may not, tell the user.
Author(s): Brian J. Furniss, PE CFCC PSP; Cory Milburn, CFCC PSP; John P. Orr, PSP
Venue: 2017 AACE International Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL
Abstract: The Half-Step, or bifurcation, method of schedule updating and analysis is used to segregate the effect on the schedule caused by activity progress and schedule revisions (changed durations, added activities, activity relationships, or other non-progress factors). The comingling of progress updates and schedule revisions often results in an inconclusive or misleading assessment of schedule status when compared to prior schedule updates. Additionally, schedule revisions may conceal other issues with progress or production delays. While this process is often used after the project to identify and quantify delay impacts, we propose expanding its use during the project as a way to objectively assess performance, discuss the plan moving forward, and resolve potential disputes in a more-timely manner.
Phase 1 of this topic concerned the underlying principles of Half-Step Analysis and was presented by others at the AACE 2016 Annual Meeting (CDR-2305). This paper builds upon the principles from Phase I and provides technical examples of the half-step application, including real-life case studies and interpretation of what the data may, or may not, tell the user.