Optimizing Workforce for Timely Project Completion: A Comparative Analysis

In project management, effective workforce planning is crucial to ensure timely completion of projects. This article provides a comprehensive approach to workforce optimization through the analysis of three case studies. Examination of work duration calculation, the importance of time constraints, and the accurate estimation of required workforce will be discussed through the lens of practical examples.

Case Study 1: The Contractor’s Dilemma

Initial Situation: A contractor undertook to do a certain work in 55 days and employed 48 men. In 11 days, only 1/6 of the work was completed.

Calculating the Remaining Work and Required Workforce

Calculate Remaining Work:

Remaining Work Total Work - Work Completed

Remaining Work 5/6 of the Total Work

Calculate Required Workforce:

Remaining Time 55 days - 11 days 44 days

Required Workforce Remaining Work × Initial Workforce / Work Completed × Remaining Time

Required Workforce 5/6 × 48 / 1/6 × 44 40 men

Calculate Number of Extra Men Needed:

Extra Men Needed Required Workforce - Initial Workforce

Extra Men Needed 40 men - 48 men -8 men

Conclusion: The contractor should reduce the number of workers by 8 men to complete the work on time.

Case Study 2: Complex Workflow Analysis

Initial Situation: 80 people working for 45 days complete 1/4 of the work.

Calculating Total Work and Required Workforce

Calculate Total Work:

Total Work 80 workers × 45 days 3600 mandays

Calculate Remaining Work and Required Workforce:

Time Constraint: 45 days - 75 days 75 days

Remaining Work 75/14400 mandays 10,800 mandays

Workers Required: 10800/75 144 workers

Already Engaged: 80 workers

Calculate Additional Requirements:

Additional Requirements 144 - 80 64 workers

Case Study 3: Mathematical Estimation of Workforce

Initial Situation: 30 men working for 16 days complete 480 mandays, which is 1/3 of the total work.

Calculating Total Work and Additional Workforce Needed

Calculate Total Work:

W/3 480 mandays

W 1440 mandays

Calculate Work Remaining and Additional Workforce Needed:

2/3 of Total Work 960 mandays

Time Left: 24 days

Required Workforce: 960/24 40 men

Already Engaged: 30 men

Calculate Additional Requirements:

Additional Requirements 40 - 30 10 men

Mathematical Analysis and Equations

To optimize the workforce, we can use the given data to set up an equation:

45 days × 80 workers × 1/4 work 75 days × x workers × 1 full work

45 × 80 × 1/4 75x

x 45 × 80 / (4 × 75)

x 192 workers

Conclusion: Without increasing the workforce, the contractor can still meet the deadline with 192 workers.