System and method for modeling construction risk using location-based construction planning models

• US 7,752,020 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2006
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VICO Software Incorporated (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: VICO Software Incorporated (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Wessman, Tim Marec, Seppanen, Olli Pentti Petteri, Pelkonen, Ilkka Pentti Samuli
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodriguez; Paul L
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUILL, RUSSELL L
• Application Number:
  US11/502,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20080126025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 703/6
• US Class Current: 703/6
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

A method for modeling construction risk is provided. The method includes providing a statistical model for each of a plurality of location-based tasks of a construction project model. A model parameter is randomly selected for each of the plurality of statistical models to generate a statistically-based duration for each of the location-based tasks. A schedule duration is then calculated using the statistically-based durations of the location-based tasks, and the steps of providing, randomly selecting, and calculating are repeated until a statistical distribution for the construction project model is generated, such as using a Monte Carlo analysis procedure.

Claims

1. A method for modeling construction risk comprising:

providing a statistical model for each of a plurality of location-based tasks of a construction project model, wherein one of a plurality of work crews performs an associated one of each of the plurality of location-based tasks, wherein one of a plurality of first statistical models is related to a corresponding one of the plurality of work crews, and one of a plurality of second statistical models is related to a corresponding one location variable of each location-based task;

randomly selecting a model parameter for each of the plurality of first statistical models and each of the plurality of second statistical models to generate a statistically-based duration for each of the location-based tasks;

calculating a schedule duration based on the statistically-based durations of the location-based tasks; and

repeating the steps of providing, randomly selecting, and calculating until a statistical distribution for the construction project model is generated.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein calculating a schedule duration comprises setting a start date for a location-based task equal to the maximum of the group comprising a start date distribution and an earliest start date defined by preceding activities.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein calculating a schedule duration comprises determining a duration for a task by determining when a time integral of a total productivity function equals an amount of work required to complete the task.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein calculating a schedule duration comprises adding a delay to a start time for a task if a resource has left a job site associated with the task.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein calculating a schedule duration comprises adding a delay to a finish time for a task based on weather data.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein calculating a schedule duration comprises adding a delay to a finish time for a task based on modification of resources required for the task.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein calculating a schedule duration comprises adding a delay to a finish time for a task based on modification of productivity rates for workers performing the task.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein calculating a schedule duration comprises adding a delay to a finish time for a task based on rework required due to poor quality of workmanship for the task.

9. A system for modeling construction risk comprising:

A construction task modeling system configured to store a model having one or more parameters for each of a plurality of location-based tasks and a plurality of work crews, wherein one of the plurality of works crews performs an associated one of each of the plurality of location-based tasks, wherein one of a plurality of first statistical models is related to a corresponding one of the plurality of work crews, and one of a plurality of second statistical models is related to a corresponding one location variable of each location-based task;

A production risk system configured to store one or more risk models configured to generate a value for each of the one or more parameters of the plurally of location-based tasks and the plurality of work crews based on an input using one or more of the first statistical models and the second statistical models; and

A Monte Carlo simulation system configured to iteratively randomly select a model parameter for the first statistical models and the second statistical models to generate a statistically-based duration for each of the location-based tasks.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the production risk system includes a weather risk modeling system generating a value for one or more parameters based on an affect of weather on the parameter.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the production risk system includes a prerequisite risk modeling system generating a value for one or more parameters based on an affect of a prerequisite on the parameter.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the production risk system includes a resource modification risk system generating a value for one or more parameters based on an affect of a modification of one or more resource on the parameter.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the production risk system includes a productivity rate risk system generating a value for one or more parameters based on an affect of a productivity rate on the parameter.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein the production risk system includes a material availability risk system generating a value for one or more parameters based on an affect of an availability of a material on the parameter.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein the production risk system includes a resource availability risk system generating a value for one or more parameters based on an affect of an availability of a resource on the parameter.

16. The system of claim 9 wherein the production risk system includes a location risk modeling system generating a value for one or more parameters based on an affect of a location in which a task is performed on the parameter.

17. The system of claim 9 wherein the production risk system includes a quality risk modeling system generating a value for one or more parameters based on an affect of a quality of work for a task on the parameter.

18. A system for modeling construction risk comprising:

A construction task modeling system configured to store one or more parameters for each of a plurality of location-based tasks wherein one of a plurality of first statistical models is related to a corresponding one of each location-based task;

A productivity rate risk system configured to store one or more parameters for each of a plurality of individual construction crews, wherein one of a plurality of second statistical models is related to a corresponding one of the plurality of construction crews; and

A Monte Carlo simulation system configured to iteratively randomly select a parameter for the first statistical models and the second statistical models to generate a statistically-based duration for each of the location-based tasks.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a weather risk modeling system storing one or more parameters for an affect of weather on the individual construction crews.

20. The system of claim 18 further comprising a quality risk modeling system storing one or more parameters for a quality of work associated with one or more of the location-based tasks and with one or more of the individual construction crews.