The Differences Between CPM and Resource-Loaded Scheduling and How They Applied to The Martinez Tesoro Refinery Flare Header Replacement Project

A case study was conducted to analyze the scheduling challenges faced on a refinery construction project in Martinez, California. The main issues on the project were complications experienced by the general contractor in fulfilling a requirement to produce a resource-loaded schedule. Unable to create one, a CPM schedule was produced instead. Research on the differences between a CPM and resource-loaded schedule was conducted in order to uncover how they applied to the refinery project. The most significant differences between the two scheduling methodologies is that a CPM assumes infinite capacity, while resource loading recognizes that resources have finite limits in terms of availability, capability, and proficiency. Consequently, resource-loaded schedules are substantially more advantageous to projects in terms of feasibility, tracking productivity, controlling cost overruns, and eliminating schedule impacts. Three separate interviews were conducted with the GC, CM, and a scheduling expert to gain further insight on the matter. Information from the interviews led to the discovery of the main scheduling differences between MS Project and Oracle P6, the disadvantages of resource-loading, and where the future of the construction industry is going in terms of efficient scheduling methodology