Sensitivity analysis of construction processes using computer simulation: a case study

Abstract

Construction planners and decision makers involved in managing construction processes are always interested in the following issue. The issue is determining the best combination of resources involved in construction processes in a way that maximizes performance measures such as process productivity, total cycle time, etc. Sensitivity analysis is the resolution proposed by planners to settle the issue. In order to do sensitivity analysis, computer simulation provides an inexpensive environment in which all possible combinations of resources can be studied. This paper is aimed at doing sensitivity analysis for resources involved in a construction process to find the best resource combination in terms of process productivity, total cycle time, etc. This was done with the aid of computer simulation that modeled all possible resource combinations in order to predict the outcome associated with each combination. In this study, computer simulation software, Arena 13.9, was employed for constructing the simulation model of a construction process. The results show that the best resource combination improves process productivity and total cycle time by about 6% and 32%, respectively.