Managing uncertainty in major equipment procurement in engineering projects

A better management of time uncertainty in major equipment procurement in engineering construction projects can significantly contribute to project performance. A survey study shows that time buffer is a popularly used approach to protect project schedule from activity duration variation and uncertainty. The problem is that there are repetitive time allowances inserted in the procurement supply chain process and these time buffers are used ineffectively, thus leading to considerable time wastage. Relevant lessons from supply chain management and critical chain project management are combined and applied to create an enhanced critical supply chain management model for major equipment procurement to achieve better management of time uncertainty. This model does not perceive uncertainty purely as a threat, but also as an opportunity to reduce procurement cycle times. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.