Article March 15, 1969 Issue

Christian Science Church Center

PROGRESS REPORT No. 29

The analytical talents of a computer are helping to smooth and speed the Church Center building program. A construction project of such size and complexity has a staggering number of interrelated activities that must be carried out in definite chronological sequence. Orderly progress depends in large part on a detailed schedule that outlines the day-to-day work. Electronic data processing has entered the picture in this area of scheduling.

Of course, a computer, like any useful tool, is only as good as the hand that guides it. Before the computer could begin to do its part, a construction scheduling consultant, retained by the general contractor, prepared a detailed schedule analysis of the whole project. The different activities were singled out and their necessary sequence assigned. Also, an estimated amount of time was allotted for completion of each activity.

The product of this analysis is called an arrow diagram. The diagram for the Church Center outlines in analytical form over two thousand different activities, such as excavation, pile driving, building of forms, pouring walls, and so on. It shows the allotted time and the interrelationship of each activity. The logic inherent in the diagram is the direct product of men's experience and knowledge. But a computer has a tremendous capacity to extend and utilize this basic logic. The data on the arrow diagram was then fed into an IBM MOD 30 computer that was programmed, or instructed, to calculate and print a detailed chronological schedule. In other words, the computer calendarizes the data by assigning specific dates to the different building activities. The finished product, called a printout, also arranges the activities in sequence. And it shows both early and late start and finish dates for each activity. The "late" dates represent maximum allowable time.

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