Fuzzy finish time modeling for project scheduling

Abstract

This research aims at developing a new fuzzy activity finish time estimation model for project scheduling management. With the application of the fuzzy quality function deployment (FQFD) and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) methods, the degree of fuzziness for every project activity is calculated in accordance with considerations of project uncertainties. These uncertainties are measured by the risk level of such project-related characteristics as time limit, activity start time, budget, manpower, technological difficulty, and facility requirements. In this paper, rather than applying the de-fuzzification technique to obtain the crisp activity duration for project scheduling, the fuzzy finish time estimation method for every activity is proposed based on the degree of fuzziness. The corresponding fuzzy activity duration time plot is also developed in a new fuzzy Gantt chart. The proposed model can provide a reasonable fuzzy finish time estimation for every activity, while most scheduling methods only provide the finish time of the entire project. Compared to existing models, this time estimation model and its corresponding Gantt chart are predicted to have higher reliability and practical application in project management and scheduling.