MSU Technologies

Web-Based Tool to Predict Information Bottlenecks

Executive Summary

The execution of large projects involving multiple companies, teams and people is complex. Yet, good project management is essential to reducing cost and ensuring projects are completed on time. A variety of tools exist today, however, these tools generally focus on task scheduling, critical path determination and resource allocation. MSU researchers have recently developed a software tool that addresses project delays that that occur due to information bottlenecks. These bottlenecks occur as more and more project teams use electronic means of communicating including shared team rooms and email. The software predicts where the historical projects has faced bottlenecks and can be used to predict upcoming bottlenecks as well.

Description of the Technology

This tool utilizes electronic project information such as the flow of information packets, time delays in information sharing and issue resolution timing. From this, a set of project related metrics is computed. The tool shows where bottlenecks have occurred based on information type and time. These findings can be used by project managers to preempt future delays. The software has been validated with data sets from real life comprehensive civil engineering construction projects.

Benefits