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Optimize Page

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Diana Su

In this article, you will learn the basic functionalities of the Optimize page in ALICE.

The Optimize page is where you can access ALICE's proprietary schedule optimization algorithms to run what-if scenarios and find the best way to build your project. 

The key topics covered here are:

Optimize Page Overview



The Optimize page interface has the following components:

  • Filter and selection bar at the top
  • Scenario list on the left
  • Solution graph on the right 

Filter and Selection Bar

Users can filter the Optimize page by plans, scenarios and solutions.

Under the Plans dropdown, users can manage and display solutions from all plans simultaneously or choose specific plan(s) to display. Use a search field to find specific plan(s). Plans represent different sets of tasks or logic, defined on the Plan page.

In the Scenarios search bar, users can select which scenarios or 'what-if' simulations to display on the Optimize page. Scenarios from different plans can be compared on the same Optimize page.

In the Solutions filter, users can set criteria for which solutions (dots on the Optimize page) to display, based on a robust set of criteria including cost, duration, idle time, criticality and more. 

Scenario List

Users can use the arrows to expand or collapse the list of scenarios for a specific plan. By default, when multiple plans are selected, their scenario lists are collapsed. When a single plan is selected, its scenarios are expanded automatically.
The numbers next to each arrow indicate the number of scenarios and solutions associated with the plan. Additionally, users can filter for specific scenarios using the Filter Scenarios field at the top.

Running scenarios when multiple plans are selected is not allowed. Filter for a specific plan to run a scenario for the selected plan. There are no restrictions to how many scenarios you can run at a time.

Solution Graph

On the right side is the Solution Graph, and each dot that appears represents a fully resource and cost loaded schedule with its own analytics. In the upper right hand corner of the Solution graph are several visualization tools allowing you to zoom in, zoom out, or toggle the cluster view of solution dots. Learn more about how to customize the chart axes here.

How to Access Optimize Page from Dashboard

From the dashboard, users can choose to access either the Optimize page for a specific plan or the project-level Optimize page.

How to Create a Scenario

Create New Scenarios:

  1. To start creating scenarios in ALICE Core, click Re-schedule on the Plan page to check the feasibility of the schedule
  2. If no warnings are received, click Solution to go to the Optimize page, where scenarios can be created.
  3. On the Optimize page, select your desired algorithm:
    1. Click Targeted Optimization for a task-driven algorithm that does not factor in resources.
    2. Click Resource Optimization for a resource-driven algorithm.

Targeted Optimization instructions: click here. 

Resource Optimization Setup instructions:

  1. Modify optimization presets settings or use defaults: minimize negative float → minimize project duration → minimize number of crews.
  2. Adjust the different optimization levers (different constraints around resources, variables, and milestones) based on scenario requirements
  3. By default, ALICE runs each scenario for 10 minutes. Adjust this to a different duration if needed
  4. Click Run Scenario to start the scheduling process
  5. A new scenario will appear in the Scenarios list on the upper left
  6. ALICE will generate one or multiple schedules (dots) based on the number of constraints implemented in the project. Dots will start appearing in 1-2 minutes and all dots will appear within 10 minutes if using the standard solution run-time.
  7. Click on the dot to open the scenario summary and review schedule details. You can click Analyze solution to open the Gantt chart.

Examples of Resource Optimizations that you can do with ALICE: 

What is the impact of my schedule if...

  1. The workforce limit on my project is 300?
  2. Have more or less equipment than originally planned?
  3. There is a limited number of concrete trucks onsite?
  4. There is a material shortage that results in a different material installation method with lower production rate?
  5. There is a spatial constraint that needs to be recognized in multiple work areas?

These questions serve only to highlight the range of questions that can be modeled and simulated in ALICE. To learn more about example use cases like the ones above and how to implement them into your project, see the Use Cases section.

Optimization Levers to Pull when Running a Scenario

The table below is a list of levers that the user can adjust. The user can adjust multiple levers at a time for each scenario run. 

Crews Equipment Materials Rates Milestones
Available crews Available equipment Available material Production rates Change milestone constraint types and constraint dates
Workforce per crew Hourly cost of equipment Unit cost of material Quantities can also be assigned as production rates Change task constraint types and constraint dates (task will only appear if there is a constraint assigned on Plan page)
Cost of crew   Consumable or Reusable Material    
Calendar shifts for crews  
Daily workforce limit

 

To change the logic in the underlying plan, the user needs to jump back to the plan page before running the scenarios in the Optimize page.

How to Label the Project Baseline

By default, the imported schedule will be designated as the baseline schedule on the Optimize page. It is possible to set any generated schedule as the project baseline simply by clicking the dot and toggling the baseline slider. 

There can only be one project baseline at a time, so by adding the project baseline status to one solution you will be removing it from the solution previously set as the baseline.

 

How to Compare Solutions

ALICE allows users to compare the solutions to get a better understanding of their main differences. With “Compare Solutions,” users can compare:

  • Solution Metrics
  • Solution Resource Parameters: including resource cost and utilization
  • Detailed Comparison of two or more solutions from the same or different plans within the same project

You can access Compare from either the Optimize page or the Analyze page. 

 

To activate the “Compare Solution” function from the Optimize page:

  1. Select the first solution on the solution graph and tick the Compare box.
  2. Select the second solution for comparison to the first and tick the Compare box.
  3. Use the Overview tab to see metrics and parameters for both solutions.
  4. Click on Analyze solution to view an in-depth comparison of the selected solutions.
  5. Review detailed comparison of both schedules, where the primary schedule is highlighted in bright red and blue, while the secondary schedule is represented in light pink.
  6. Click the arrows in the bottom to set the secondary schedule as the primary one.
  7. Review the Days Variance columns clearly indicate the precise number of days associated with either acceleration or delay.

Note: The reason for why certain activities start earlier or are delayed can be found on the Analyze page by reviewing the drivers, predecessors, and successors. 

How to Customize the Chart Axes

By default the Optimize page will plot all ALICE-generated solutions on an X and Y graph, with X as calendar days duration and Y as total cost. Users can customize the X and Y axis to visually compare schedule options using the metrics that matter to them.

Use the Axes menus above the solutions graph to customize your view. Your settings will be automatically saved and shown the next time you open the project.

To automatically see the axis combination with the largest distribution between schedules, click the perpendicular arrow icon to the right of the drop-downs. This helps you to quickly understand how the schedules differ the most and find the right one.

Supported metrics for the X axis:

  • Calendar days - default
  • Working days
  • Milestones (select desired milestone)
  • Project end date (solution start date + project duration)

Supported metrics for the Y axis:

  • Cost (learn more about cost)
    • Total cost - default
    • Total direct cost
    • Total idle cost
    • Total indirect cost
    • Direct equipment cost
    • Direct labor cost
    • Direct material cost
    • Idle equipment cost
    • Idle labor cost
  • Overall crew utilization
  • Critical tasks (%) (tasks on critical path / incomplete tasks)
  • Longest path tasks (%) (tasks on longest path / incomplete tasks)
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