Graphical Forensic Scheduling System for As-Built Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current project scheduling methods, particularly the Critical Path Method (CPM), face limitations in retrospective analysis due to their inability to calculate total floats and critical paths for the as-built schedule, leading to incomplete forensic analysis and potential biases in delay impact assessment.
Innovation Solution
The Graphical Path Method (GPM) addresses these limitations by employing interactive, real-time analysis and object-based principles, allowing for accurate calculation of forensic floats, drifts, and total floats on both sides of the data date, enabling comprehensive forensic schedule analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CPM algorithms are used for retrospective schedule analysis, then schedule delay evaluation can be performed, but the ability to calculate total floats and critical paths for as-built schedules is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional CPM approach by implementing a graphical path method that calculates floats and critical paths backward from the project completion date (as-built schedule) rather than forward from the start date. This inversion enables retrospective analysis to recover total float and critical path information that would otherwise be unavailable in as-built schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by maintaining active network calculations on both sides of the data date (past and future), creating a bidirectional temporal dimension. This allows simultaneous calculation of forensic attributes for completed activities and projection of remaining work, preserving information that unidirectional CPM methods lose.
2Ease of operation
If traditional batch mode CPM calculations are used, then schedule analysis can be performed, but real-time interactive analysis and comprehensive forensic attributes are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static batch-mode CPM calculation system into a dynamic interactive system where network calculations can be executed in real-time based on user input and schedule updates. The system maintains active calculations that respond to user actions, enabling flexible forensic analysis at any point in the scheduling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously calculates and displays forensic attributes (floats, critical paths, delay impacts) based on current schedule data. This feedback loop provides immediate information to users about schedule performance and potential issues, enabling informed decision-making without waiting for batch processing cycles.
3Loss of time
If CPM focuses on prospective scheduling, then project planning can be performed, but retrospective analysis of actual performance and delays is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of forensic attributes throughout the project lifecycle by maintaining active network calculations on the completed portion of the schedule. Rather than waiting until project completion to analyze delays, the system continuously computes floats and critical paths for as-built activities, enabling timely forensic assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous calculation of forensic attributes by maintaining active network calculations that operate continuously on both completed and remaining activities. This continuous computation provides uninterrupted forensic analysis capability, eliminating gaps in measurement precision that occur with periodic batch processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphical forensic scheduling system is described. The system may receive a data date on a time-scaled project schedule. The system may calculate link gaps based on predecessor and successor relevant dates on either side of the data date. The system may automatically correct logic ties if actual dates for related activities are out-of-sequence. The system may calculate and display forensic floats, forensic drifts, and forensic total floats for actualized activities based on an algorithmic function of all link gaps on either side of the data date, i.e. forensic gap or otherwise. The as-built critical path may be determined based on the forensic total floats. The system may continuously and automatically refresh in real-time, forensic float, forensic drift and forensic total float any time a gap on either side of the data date takes on a revised value due to activities being repositioned on the timescale. The system, by supporting GPM rules, may automatically heal corrupted logic right of the data date and automatically and continuously refresh forensic float, forensic drift and forensic total float on either side of the data date. The system may optimize the schedule by sliding and/or shortening or lengthening activities, and maintain forensic float, forensic drift and forensic total float current with respect to such optimization schemes taking place right of the data date. The system may support gestural recognition, surface computing and voice recognition, and provide users with visual feedback on the impact to a schedule, both prior to and subsequent the data date, immediately upon gestural or surface input.