Agent-Based Simulation to Seek For Effective Communication In Project Management

Many project managers of a large scale project shortened delivery period of his or her projects unwillingly by the request of clients. However, some of them believe there is no difference between a large scale project and a small scale project in shortening the delivery period and accept shortening finally. This is because they are not informed theoretically of what impact can be made by shortening delivery project. They do not know what countermeasures should be taken in the shortened large scale projects. As the result, many large scale project end in failure. This paper proposes an agent-based simulation model to analyze the roles of mutual communications among members of a project team. The objective of the research is to uncover the characteristics communication efficiency in a large scale and short delivery project. In order to explore the better communication ways in project management, we develop an agent-based simulation model, in which we implement a manager-leaders group as communication agents. From intensive experiments, we have found that (1) the project productivity is proportional with the communication efficiency, (2) making a delivery period of large projects shorter is difficult comparing small projects, (3) it is effective to communicate about many issues in one chance of communication in a large scale project, and (4) in any size of projects, it is effective to take enough time for communication. From intensive experiments, we have following major conclusions: The project productivity is proportional with the communication efficiency. The larger the scale of a project becomes, the less efficient the communication becomes. It is difficult to make a delivery period of large projects shorter comparing small projects from the communication point of view. It is effective to communicate about many issues in one chance of communication in a large scale project. In any size of projects, it is effective to take enough time for communication.