THE USE OF CRITICAL PATH METHODS IN THE ANALYSIS AND CONTROL OF GLASSHOUSE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

The paper considers the use of critical path methods on a case study of glasshouse construction. A knowledge of the principles underlying network construction and analysis is assumed, although a problem arising when considerable, time-consuming tasks are sub-divided, is discussed. An alternative way of drawing the network to avoid the problem is suggested. The bar diagram technique of labour and job scheduling is seen to be a management tool as useful as the network itself. For effectiveness, the analysis should be carried out by the grower or a member of his staff.

C.P.A. is now an accepted tool of management science, whose use in the construction of horticultural buildings has been described by Giles and Bennett (1966) and Maddison (1968), and others in agriculture have been described by Lloyd (1967), Thorneycroft and Dent (1968), Cooke-Yarborough (1964) and others. A number of general texts on the use of critical path methods are available, and amongst those of which the writer has found to be of value are those by Lockyer (1967) and Battersby (1967). Because of the general availability of such texts, the present paper will not repeat details of the basic procedure, but will concentrate rather on describing experience gained from a case study and in particular the derivative tool of C.P.A., the bar diagram or Gantt chart.