Multi-project buffer setting and dynamic monitoring of a critical chain based on comprehensive factors

The paper introduces a new multi-factor critical chain buffer estimation model and designs a dynamic monitoring method based on the project elements. A literature analysis determined a research gap and a research problem. It was found that the existing methods offer scarce collaborative studies on buffer setting and monitoring and insufficient research on buffer setting considering project economic indicators. However, these topics are often given priority consideration in practical engineering applications. Therefore, the study proposes a multi-factor critical chain buffer setting and its dynamic monitoring method. The planning stage analyses the impact of income, resources, and probability of success on buffer size setting and defines the calculation model of capacity constraint buffer. The execution stage dynamically sets buffer monitoring points according to the progress of project implementation, monitors the remaining buffer amount at the completion of each activity on the critical chain, and takes corresponding actions to ensure that the progress is controllable. The method was applied in a multi-project of a Chinese software enterprise. To further verify the effectiveness of this research, the method is compared with the traditional static buffer monitoring method (TBMM) and the relative buffer monitoring method (RBMM), and the construction period of the real project is simulated through the computer program for analysis. Results show that the research method can reduce unreasonable buffer settings, enhance the robustness of a buffer against complex environments, and reduce the probability of false warnings in the monitoring process.