A Structured Approach to Form Dependency Structure Matrix for Construction Projects

The sequence of design activities is vital, particularly in interdisciplinary projects. Sequencing of activities is influenced by the information dependency among the activities. The dependency relationships among the design activities in a project are of three types – independent, dependent and interdependent or loops. Interdependent activities (or loops) require assumed information to start and progress. If these assumptions are erroneous, it can lead to rework of a single or a group of dependent activities. One of the challenges in planning the sequencing of design activities is to decide on appropriate information or assumptions which can be made to break the interdependent activities (or loops). Conventional tools such as Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) are not suitable for representing information flow because interdependent activities or loops cannot be modeled. Dependency Structure Matrix (DSM) has been identified as a potential tool to model feedback loops/ cycles. One of the main difficulties in implementing DSM is in comprehensively identifying the activities and information dependencies which are required to formulate the DSM. Based on the experience in attempting to develop a DSM for an interdisciplinary project, the authors have proposed a new approach in identifying all the possible activities and their information dependencies. A prototype software also had been developed in Excel VBA for implementing the methodology. The proposed concepts are illustrated through application to Induced Draft Cooling Tower (IDCT) projects. This illustration is multidisciplinary in nature consisting of mechanical, civil, electrical and instrumentation. The proposed concept has proven fruitful and hence this approach is anticipated beneficial for construction applications.