Project Analysis Using Theory of Constraints

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further deteriorates to the extent that it requires large amount of funding in restoring the surfaces of the streets.

In addition upon scheduling of the repairs, another challenge is experienced in conducting maintenance and repairs especially in streets where there is heavy traffic flow thus directing the traffic and performing the repairs at the same time becomes a challenge.

Exploiting the Constraint

This phase comes into play after a successful identification of the constraint, and hence the system is established to exploit the identified challenges. The most challenging issue in the whole process is the budging and scheduling of the maintenance and repair activities. To solve this constraint is prudent to increase efforts aimed at increasing revenue collection in the council in order to have sufficient funds to be allocated in handling the maintenance and repair procedures.

The next step involving establishing a system and policies defining the how the process is to be conducted, how revenue obtained from the citizens and other projects should be budgeted in handling the maintenance and repairs of the streets. The system adopted should clearly describe the roles of the stakeholders and other parties involved in maintenance and repairs of the streets. This will facilitate the transition and scheduling of the activities hence making the whole process be smooth and efficient.

In an attempt of solving the constraint experienced during the period of conducting the repairs in streets experiencing heavy traffic flows, an alternative ways should be established to be used by the trucks in those places, this will avoid any possible jams which may be a result of trucks passing through the streets and the machineries involved in maintenance and repair work in those streets. By coming up with alternative paths to be used by the trucks will give the individuals working on the repairs ample time in performing the activities thus completing the work within the specified period.

Subordinating Everything to the Constraint

By close examining the whole project some manufacturing can be applied in handling the entire process of performing maintenance and repair of the streets. The principles of Drum Buffer Rope can be applied in an attempt to solve the constraint. It of essence to schedule the repair and maintenance works in connection to the flow of the revenue and the available funding in handling the entire process. It is important to note that there may be idle resources outside of the constraint, but does not release more work just because they are idle, a system should be put in place to enable channeling of those resources to facilitate the resurfacing of the streets.

Further, subordinating to the constraint involves addition of capacity to the non-constraint to make sure that the disruptions to their operation can be quickly handled by speeding the operation and increasing the input to the operation.

Project Comparison Before and After Implementation

Initially when the project management principles and other policies were adopted the entire process could take considerable amount of time in setting aside the required resources and scheduling of the activities of repairing and maintenance of the streets. Adopting of the new system and policies which enables scheduling of activities and working with the available funds has facilitated the entire process making it possible to conduct maintenance regularly thus increases the street’s life service.

By developing a distinct system for the project and providing a gap for inclusion of additional resources, it is therefore possible to determine the impact of Drum Buffer Rope on the process. The work after the constraint will be synchronized to that of the constraint (drum). Our buffer is now at the end of the project so that, in addition to losses in time being realized, the project will also benefit from gains in the system.

Recommendations

For the whole process to be successful, a system and policies should be established to ensure that inspections are carried on regular basis to ensure that streets are not to deteriorate for the repairs to be conducted. By identifying cracks and areas the streets have deteriorated before they worsen will reduce amount of time and funds channeled towards resurfacing of the streets.

References

Bhowmik, C., & Ray, A. (2015). The Application of Theory of Constraints in Industry: A Case Study

Golmohammadi, D. (2015). A study of scheduling under the theory of constraints. International Journal of Production Economics, 165, 38-50.

Gunaydin, H. M., & Oraz, G. T. (2015). Sustainable Project Development Process and Total Quality Management. Contemporary Trends in the Regenerative and Sustainable Built Environment: Technical and Managerial Aspects,