Utilizing Microsoft Project for Resource Planning and Optimization in Mid-Rise Residential Construction in Udaipur

Abstract

Resource optimization is a pivotal aspect of construction project management that directly impacts project timelines, costs, and overall efficiency. This research paper focuses on the application of Microsoft Project (MSP) software as a tool for optimizing resources in the construction of G+3 (Ground plus three floors) residential buildings. The study involves developing a comprehensive Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) that encompasses all critical construction activities such as site preparation, excavation, foundation laying, reinforced concrete works, masonry, plastering, electrical and plumbing installations, and finishing works. By accurately defining and assigning labor, equipment, and material resources within MSP, the study simulates realistic scheduling scenarios that address resource availability constraints and inter-task dependencies. MSP’s resource leveling and smoothing techniques are employed to resolve conflicts arising from resource over-allocation, thereby reducing idle times and preventing bottlenecks without extending the overall project duration. Through a detailed case study of a G+3 building construction project, the research demonstrates significant improvements in resource utilization efficiency, project duration reduction, and cost savings. The paper further discusses challenges such as the need for precise input data and dynamic site conditions that may necessitate frequent schedule updates. Ultimately, this study establishes Microsoft Project as a robust and practical platform for resource planning and optimization in mid-rise building projects, offering valuable insights for construction managers aiming to enhance productivity and control costs.

Introduction

Resource optimization is critical in managing construction projects, particularly mid-rise G+3 buildings, where effective labor, equipment, and material management impacts timelines, costs, and quality. Traditional manual scheduling methods often fail to address dynamic constraints, leading to inefficiencies. Microsoft Project (MSP) has emerged as a powerful tool offering advanced scheduling, resource allocation, and conflict resolution capabilities tailored for construction.

Studies show MSP improves resource management by enabling detailed task breakdowns, real-time tracking, and resource leveling, which reduces delays and cost overruns in mid-rise residential projects. However, limited research exists specifically on MSP’s application to G+3 buildings, which face unique challenges such as restricted site space and diverse labor skills.

This study focuses on applying MSP for resource optimization in a G+3 residential project in Udaipur, Rajasthan. It involves developing a detailed Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), identifying and assigning resources, scheduling tasks, and using MSP’s leveling features to resolve over-allocations. Results show a 3.1% reduction in project duration and about 10% cost savings in labor and equipment after optimization, while maintaining the original timeline.

The research underscores MSP’s potential in improving resource utilization, minimizing delays, and reducing costs in mid-rise building projects, and highlights the need for detailed input data and skilled use of software to address project-specific constraints effectively.

Conclusion

This research explored the application of Microsoft Project (MSP) for optimizing labor and equipment resources in a G+3 residential building construction project located in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Through the structured application of MSP’s features—including Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) creation, task-resource assignment, and resource leveling—substantial improvements were achieved in scheduling efficiency, resource utilization, and cost control. Key findings of the study include: 1) A reduction of 4 working days (3.1%) in the overall project duration, without altering the critical path. 2) Elimination of over-allocation in labor and equipment, particularly among masons, helpers, and concrete mixers. 3) A cost savings of approximately ?2.9 lakhs (7.07%), achieved through better scheduling of labor and rental equipment. 4) Enhanced visualization and monitoring of project resources through MSP’s histograms and reports, allowing early detection of bottlenecks and idle periods. The results strongly support the integration of Microsoft Project into the construction planning and management process, especially for mid-rise urban projects where resource availability is constrained and overlapping tasks are common.

References

[1] K. N. Jha, Construction Project Management: Theory and Practice, 1st ed. New Delhi, India: Pearson Education, 2015. [2] H. Kerzner, Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, 11th ed. Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley, 2013. [3] D. Lock, Project Management, 10th ed. London, U.K.: Gower Publishing, 2020. [4] Project Management Institute (PMI), A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), 6th ed. Newtown Square, PA, USA: PMI, 2017. [5] R. Ahmad and S. Azhar, “Evaluation of construction project management software for effective resource management,” Int. J. Constr. Eng. Manag., vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 121–131, 2016. [6] M. Cheng, C. Anumba, and S. Wu, “Application of Microsoft Project in resource allocation for construction projects,” Autom. Constr., vol. 85, pp. 75–82, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2017.10.011. [7] P. Singh and A. Gupta, “Resource leveling using Microsoft Project for mid-rise building projects,” J. Constr. Eng. Manag., vol. 147, no. 5, p. 04021028, 2021, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0002021. [8] V. Kumar, R. Sharma, and S. Singh, “Impact of resource optimization through MSP in multi-storey residential buildings,” Int. J. Civ. Eng. Technol., vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 135–143, 2022. [9] K. N. Jha and K. C. Iyer, “Challenges in resource scheduling of mid-rise building projects in urban India,” J. Constr. Eng. Manag., vol. 145, no. 6, p. 04019032, 2019. [10] R. Biswas and M. Saha, “Cost and schedule optimization of residential construction using MSP and Primavera,” Int. J. Proj. Manag. Eng., vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 33–42, 2020. [11] S. Choudhury, “Integration of scheduling and cost control in residential building projects,” J. Constr. Econ., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 59–65, 2021. [12] T. Jain and S. Patil, “Microsoft Project as a tool for construction project planning and monitoring,” Int. J. Innov. Technol. Explor. Eng., vol. 9, no. 8, pp. 2012–2016, 2020. [13] A. K. Mishra and M. Dey, “Resource leveling technique using MSP for small and mid-size projects,” Int. J. Eng. Res. Technol., vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 498–503, 2020. [14] S. M. Ali and R. Siddiqui, “A case study of resource optimization in G+3 apartment building using project management tools,” Int. J. Eng. Appl. Sci., vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 45–49, 2019. [15] R. K. Sharma, “Effective scheduling of building projects using Microsoft Project,” Int. Res. J. Eng. Technol., vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 624–628, 2020. [16] V. Maheshwari and A. Agarwal, “Cost-benefit analysis of using MSP for scheduling multi-story residential projects,” Int. J. Sci. Eng. Res., vol. 11, no. 7, pp. 982–987, 2020. [17] N. M. Desai and B. Shah, “Comparative study of resource allocation methods in construction using MSP,” Int. J. Recent Technol. Eng., vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 3987–3990, 2020. [18] A. K. Roy and R. Mehta, “Role of Microsoft Project in improving construction efficiency,” Proc. Natl. Conf. Adv. Civ. Eng., pp. 112–117, 2019. [19] D. K. Tiwari and N. S. Yadav, “Project optimization in housing schemes using Microsoft Project,” Int. J. Manag. Eng. Res., vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 142–148, 2021. [20] M. R. Patel, “Application of software-based resource scheduling in urban mid-rise projects,” J. Urban Constr. Stud., vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 33–38, 2021.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Mr. Birendra Kumar Yadav, Mr. Paras Kumar, Mr. Azharuddin. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.