A Model to Increase Flexibility of Precedence Relations in Project Network

This paper provides a model for time reduction in a project through adding linkage intensity in a project network. The traditional network calculation and symbolization are modified and designed a new method to consider the linkage intensity in a network. Then, by using a multiple regression model, a formula for calculation of time reduction potential in a project network is introduced. It is found that there is a meaningful relationship between time reduction and four independent variables as: project complexity, number of activity, linkage intensity type's proportions and whole time of project activities. Two illustrative examples are presented to show the model application for prediction of the potential of time reduction in a project. Using the model and its approach is very simple, because the model does not need any additional information such as the cost of reducing time in a project.