Advancing Strategic Planning and Dynamic Control of Complex Projects (2408.12422v2)

Abstract: Strategic project planning and dynamic control are essential to ensure that complex projects are executed in a best-fit-for-common-purpose manner. When such strategies become inconceivable for humans, effective and efficient computer-aided decision support becomes crucial. Standard simulation-driven evaluation and a-posteriori decision-making are often used, rather than a combined simulation and optimisation approach that a-priori integrates the stakeholder interests and risk management. However, current planning and control methodologies often lack stochastic representation and/or associative multi-objective optimisation approaches within socio-technical reach. This paper introduces Odycon (Open design and dynamic control), a new purpose-driven project management by design methodology that resolves these shortcomings. A generic mathematical project planning and control statement is developed to integrate and represent both stakeholders preferences (human domain) and project system performances (technical domain) for effective project planning and dynamic control. Odycon integrates Monte-Carlo simulation (MCS) with the Integrative Maximisation of Aggregated Preferences (IMAP) optimisation method to develop a best-fit strategic plan and dynamic control measures. Its value is demonstrated through applications in offshore wind installation and a highway infrastructure projects, showcasing advances in associative design and decision-making, and aiming for a best-fit-for-common purpose synthesis across different complex project phases.