Agent-Based Project Schedule Coordination
Keesoo Kim, Boyd C. Paulson, Charles J. Petrie · 2000
An agent-based project schedule coordination framework formalizes subcontractors' resource-driven schedule coordination processes so that a construction project can be rescheduled dynamically by all of the concerned project participants. The framework employs a distributed coordination methodology, including a monetary compensation strategy. A compensatory negotiation methodology is developed to find a better solution through a utility transfer scheme and a multi-linked negotiation process. The electronic commerce system based on the negotiation methodology allows software assistant agents to evaluate the impact of their changes and advise the human subcontractors. A multi-agent prototype system will test and verify the agent-based distributed project schedule coordination framework, and will provide a foundation for facilitating collaboration among project participants over the Internet. The negotiation strategies for rescheduling subcontractors may also be extended to Internet-based project management, distributed control of large-scale systems, electronic supply-chain management, and electronic commerce systems.