Descriptive multi-resource and multi-project cost models for subcontractors

Subcontractors have finite resources that should be allocated simultaneously across many projects in a dynamic manner. Significant scheduling problems are posed by concurrent multi-projects with limited resources. Unfortunately, with a lack of appropriate models, subcontractors mostly make decisions based on their previous experiences to allocate their resources to multiple projects. Moreover, subcontractors frequently reallocate their resources in response to schedule changes and site conditions. In response to schedule changes or project demand, these factors should be taken into account before reallocating resources: site conditions, completion dates, overtime usage, productivity, and complementarity. This research has developed a descriptive cost model for a subcontractor with multi-resources and multi-projects. The model was designed for a subcontractor to use as a decision-making tool for resources allocation and scheduling. The model identified several factors affecting productivity. Moreover, when the model was tested using hypothetical data, it produced some effective combinations of resource allocation with associated total costs. The objective of this thesis is to identify the effect of productivity changes on the total cost resulting from shifting crews across projects using a descriptive model. Furthermore, a subcontractor minimizes total costs by balancing overtime costs, tardiness penalties, and incentive bonus, while satisfying available processing time constraints.