August_1967 — Page 38

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The future of network techniques in the construction industry, therefore, seems assured. Almost all the major construction companies in the United Kingdom make use of the technique in one form or another.

It can be applied with advantage to all forms of construction, although the more complicated the project the greater will be the need and advant- ages ensuing. In highly repetitive forms of construction, such as two- storey housing, the advantages of using networks are small. The sequence of operations is well known and the network pattern merely re- peats itself.

In the autumn of 1964, a joint working group on Network Analysis was set up by the Royal Institute of British Architects, Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

The object of the group is to pre- pare a guide on the use of network techniques for the design team. This appears very necessary as the precon- tract work involved before a local authority places a contract is very often three times as long as the con- struction time.

It is only by the use of network analysis at the design stage that the various committees, local authorities.

public utility companies and architec- tural and engineering consultants can see the implications of delays and de- cision on the overall programme.

In April 1963, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' administration and engineering production group held a one-day discussion on critical path planning techniques for engineer- ing management. The results were subsequently published in booklet form. This general acceptance by all the major professional institutions in the UK is indicative of the future and it is only a matter of time before network analysis is included in their examinations.

References & Bibliography

(1) D. R. Fulkerson (1962) Operations

Research No. 10.

(2) F. E. Grubbs, D. R. Fulkerson, C. E. Clarke (1962) Operation Re- search No. 10.

(3) S. L. Kochanski. Critical Path Tech- niques An Appraisal. The Engineer 29th March 1963.

The

(4) J. F. Nuttal and R. E. Jeanes.

Critical Path Method Its Value in building design and Detailed Methods of use. Building Research Current Papers. Construction Series 3. (5) W. Imbrie. Practical application of Network Control Methods to the building industry. Building Techno- logy and Management (Journal of the Institute of Builders Jan. 1964).

Footnote

Since the original publication of this paper the Council of Engineer- ing Institutions has published its examination requirements.

The Council has as its members the thirteen major engineering in- stitutions in the U.K.

A knowledge of Network Analysis is required for the one compulsory paper in the Part 2 examination- "The Engineer in Society”—and there are also at least five other sub- jects in the general group of the Part 2 examination where network analy- sis is required.

In view of this it appears that it will be almost impossible to become a Chartered Engineer through the C.E.I. examinations without some knowledge of networks.

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