WorkPlan: Constraint-based database for work package scheduling

A database program called WorkPlan has been created to systematically devel op weekly work plans. Such work plans are used by crew foremen in schedulin g work packages and allocating available labor and equipment resources. Wor kPlan adapts the Last Planner methodology, which implements several lean co nstruction techniques. A week prior to conducting work, WorkPlan guides the user step by step through the process of spelling out work packages, ident ifying constraints, checking constraint satisfaction, releasing work packag es, and allocating resources; then at the end of the week, collecting field progress data and reasons for plan failure. This systematic approach helps the user create quality work plans and learn from understanding reasons fo r failure. The lean planning philosophy underlying WorkPlan and the functio nality of the computer program implementation are detailed in this paper. V arious ways of displaying work package data are illustrated. WorkPlan's job -shop scheduling view complements the view traditionally adopted by project management, as is reflected in scheduling tools using the critical-path me thod.