A case-based reasoning approach for solving schedule delay problems in prefabricated construction projects

The project schedule delay problem has received considerable attention for its significance in impeding project performance. Compared to conventional projects, prefabricated construction projects could suffer more from schedule delay problems. A possible solution to such problems is to provide countermeasures by referring to valuable experience of historical cases. This paper proposes a case-based reasoning (CBR) model to leverage past experience and knowledge to address the schedule delay problems in prefabricated construction projects. The study explains the development processes of the CBR model in detail, including the case base construction, case retrieval, case reuse and update. Subsequently, the study develops the CBR system and presents a case study to demonstrate the validity and practicality of the proposed approach. This study provides a potential tool to facilitate schedule management of prefabricated construction projects. It offers an effective reference for decision-makers, such as project managers, to tackle schedule delays through experience mining.