Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology 4(3): 241-244, 2012

ISSN: 2040-7467
Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2012
Submitted: November 14, 2011 Accepted: December 09 , 201 Published: February 01, 2012

Application of Project Scheduling in Agriculture (Case Study: Mechanized

Greenhouses Construction Project)
1
Nasim Monjezi, 1Mohammad Javad Sheikhdavoodi and 2Hadi Basirzadeh
1
Department of Agricultural Machinery, Faculty of Agriculture,
2
Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Sciences,
Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract: PERT is an acronym for Project Evaluation and Review Technique. It provides a method of
modeling, simulating and solving a wide range of simplex large-scale system problems. In this paper, project
scheduling in agriculture, for mechanized greenhouses construction in the Khuzestan province of Iran, is carried
out by PERT method. The operation of allocating resources to activities was carried out by means of breaking
the basic activities of the project into smaller ones. Network models are increasingly powerful tool for
modeling, scheduling, planning, controlling, and analyzing of agricultural projects. The generated PERT
network model is a powerful tool to help manager who could able to make optimum decision.

Key words: Agriculture, greenhouse construction, PERT network, project scheduling

INTRODUCTION where the activity times may not be presented in a precise

It can be seen now more clearly that how higher
productivity can contribute to a higher standard of living.
The problems of raising the productivity of the source and
of inputs are matter for the agricultural expert. The
techniques of work study described in it can, however, be
used with success wherever work is done in industry and
even in agricultural enterprise. Therefore, good analysis
of systems can increase productivity of resources.
Analysis and evaluation of agricultural systems use these
criteria: energy, economic, agronomy, environmental
conservation and time. Because of importance time
indicator, project scheduling techniques and work study
are used for reducing work content and ineffective time
(Witney, 1988).
In recent years, the range of project management
applications has greatly expanded. Project management
concerns the scheduling and control of activities in such
a way that the project can be completed in as little time as
possible (Chen and Huang, 2007).
Many different techniques and tools have been
developed to support better project planning and these
tools are used seriously by a large majority of project
managers (Fahimifard and Kehkha, 2009). Three
techniques associated with the algorithm are the CPM
(Critical Path Method), the PERT (Project Evaluation and
Review Technique) and the GERT (Graphical Evaluation
and Review Technique). The Critical Path Method (CPM)
is purely deterministic. When the activity times in the
project are deterministic and known, critical path method
(CPM) has been demonstrated to be a useful tool in
managing projects in an efficient manner to meet this
challenge (Chen, 2007). However, there are many cases
manner. To deal quantitatively with imprecise data, the
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
(Chen, 2007). In PERT method, activities are
deterministic but times of activities are probabilistic and
in GERT method, activities are probabilistic but times of
activities are deterministic (HajShirMohammadi, 2009;
Abdi, 2009).
The efficiency and capabilities of networks for
modeling, simulating, planning, scheduling and analyzing
of the projects in complicated systems had been proved
and confirmed that these are valid in agricultural projects.
The application of project scheduling in agriculture, for
stabilizing 300 ha grape garden in Agricultural Research
Center of Zabol University, was studied by CPM and
PERT methods with WinQSB software (Fahimifard and
Kehkha, 2009). Chizari and Amirnejad (1998) studied
analysis and evaluation of corn drying factory
construction project by using CPM and PERT methods.
Abdi et al. (2010b) investigated modeling and analysis of
mechanization projects of wheat production by GERT
networks. Results showed this technique is very suitable
for mechanized wheat production project planning. So
results showed that the network model was able to answer
any statistical questions concerning the project.
Therefore, the purpose of this research is studying the
application of project scheduling in agriculture, for
mechanized greenhouses construction project in the
Khuzestan province of Iran by using PERT methods.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was carried out in Khuzestan province of
Iran in 2011. The province with an area 64055 km2 is

Corresponding Author: Nasim Monjezi, Department of Agricultural Machinery, Faculty of Agriculture, Chamran University, Iran
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 Res. J. Appl. Sci. Eng. Technol., 4(3): 241-244, 2012
Fig. 1: Mechanized greenhouses construction project WBS chart
located in southwest of Iran (within 2958! and 33 North
latitude and 4741! and 5039! East longitude).
A project network is defined as a set of activities that
must be performed according to precedence constraints
stating which activities must start after the completion of
other specified activities (Chen and Huang, 2007). Such
a project network can be represented as a directed graph.
PERT network model is a suitable method for
analysis and evaluation of mechanized greenhouse
construction project because project activities
aredeterministic and times of activities are probabilistic.
In PERT method, a network shows precedence relation
between activities. Each node of network shows an
activity and each arrow shows relation between activities
(Zargar, 2004; Sabzehparvar, 2008; Burke, 2003). First,
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is prepared for
drawing network and simulation of mechanized
greenhouse construction project. In order to draw WBS
(Work Breakdown Structure) graph, the main activities of
the project were defined. Thereafter, the major activities
of the project were specified. Then, the sub-activities of
each activity determined up to the point that it was
impossible to break the activity to smaller parts.
242
The last activities which did not continue to next
level composed the activities of the project
(Anonymous, 2001; Abdi et al., 2010a). Activity is the
smallest control unit which allocates to small part of
project operations that has timeline and usually needs
resources and costs (Abdi et al., 2009a). After preparing
the WBS graph, PERT network will be draw.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Network models are increasingly powerful tool for
modeling, scheduling, planning, controlling, and
analyzing of agricultural projects. The generated PERT
network model is increasingly powerful tool to help
manager who could able to make optimum decision. By
drawing the WBS graph (Fig. 1) the following four goals
are being met:
C Determining the deliverable products of the project,
C Assigning the boundaries of the project
C Specifying the table of activities which should be
done to accomplish operation of delivering project
products
 Res. J. Appl. Sci. Eng. Technol., 4(3): 241-244, 2012

Fig. 2: Mechanized greengouses construction profect PERT network model

Table 1: Activity description and activity code in PERT network model

Activity Activity Immediate Activity Activity Immediate
description code predecessor description code predecessor
Acquisition or rent land 1 - Cooling establishments (fan and pad) 21 8
Soil and water tests and analysis 2 1 Weighing machine 22 7
Preparing of plans and maps 3 1 Fire equipment (2 capsules Fire) 23 7,9
Getting greenhouse 4 2,3 Greenhouse electrical system 24 13
establishment license (window and canopy electromotor )
Land Excavation and leveling 5 4 Greenhouse monitoring panels 25 8
Construct of wall and Fencing 6 5 Fogging and spraying Onozzle Systems 26 8
Raw material Storage building 7 6 Thermometer and humidity gauge 27 8
Greenhouse building 8 6 C02production system 28 8
Office affairs building 9 6 Greenhouse canopy 29 20,21,24,26
Guarding building 10 6 Greenhouse irrigation equipement 30 8
Engine room building 11 6 Office equipment 31 9
(desks, chairs, files, phone, etc.)
Layout of lines and roads 12 7,8,9,10,11 Gardening tools 32 7
(wheel-barrow, sprayer, etc.)
Electrification (membership 13 12 Pesticide and Fungicide supply 33 7
fee, installation of transformers
and cabling and Wiring)
power generator 14 13 Chemical fertilizer and 34 7
farmyard manure supply
Water supply (pump, 15 12 Plastic pots and plastic 35 7
plumbing, etc.) boxes supply
Gas supply (membership 16 12 Seed supply 36 7
fee and gas pipe, etc.)
Membership fee 17 12 Diesel fuel and 37 18
for telephone gasoline provide
Fuel tank 18 11 Oil supply 38 7
Water reservoir 19 15 Getting Production and 39 12,18,19,20, 21
utilization license
Heating establishments 20 8

C Determining budget of resources or cost and weight
of the project activities (Abdi et al., 2009b)
PERT network model resulted from mechanized
greenhouses construction as follows (Fig. 2). Activities
description and activities codes are presented in Table 1.
Results of this model include the following items
(Abdi et al., 2009b). It necessitates the preplanning. It
increases the harmony and coordination. It usually
predicts and determines the troublesome items. It

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 Res. J. Appl. Sci. Eng. Technol., 4(3): 241-244, 2012
specifies and segregates the responsibilities. It refines the
thoughts and increases the knowledge of user about
related subjects and their relative importance in whole
operation. It attracts the management attention to those
activities which may face problems or seems to be
associated with them. It specifies the optimum start and
finish points of each activity in the operation. It facilitates
the possibility of readjusting of the project for new
conditions. It facilitates the reporting and instructing
procedures. It is a very useful device for educating
employees in different fields of operation. It is the most
suitable tool for presenting the organizational chart and
their relation. It shows the relation between activities. It
is adjustable and also updatable. Changing and modifying
the program in new and unprecedented situations will
accomplish easily. Every parts of the network can be
changed easily.
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