The chronographical approach for construction project modelling

Abstract

Graphical modelling is considered a suitable approach for displaying project data because of its ability effectively to communicate information. The current scheduling methods seem to be unable, individually, to meet all of the planner’s needs, to be understood visually and to be efficient in terms of displaying as much information as possible. The main purpose of this paper is to present the chronographical approach for planning and monitoring construction projects. The chronographical approach is a more complete communication method, having the ability to alternate from one visual approach to another by manipulation of graphics by way of a set of defined graphical parameters. Each individual approach can help to schedule a certain project type or speciality, show valuable information in a clear and comprehensible manner and facilitate the management of construction site problems visually. Visual communication can also be improved through layering, sheeting, juxtaposition, alterations and permutations, allowing for groupings, hierarchies and classification of project information. In this way, graphical representation becomes a living, transformable image, thus assisting planners in solving problems of a variable nature, and simplifying site management while simultaneously using the visual space as efficiently as possible.