Enhanced Construction Project Duration Estimation Using Artificial Neural Networks: Initial Design and Planning Stages

Maintaining efficiency and quality control during the early phases of construction projects depends on accurate duration estimation. However, because there is not enough data available in the initial stages of project planning, traditional methodologies suffer. To address these challenges, this stu...

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Main Authors: Heba Al-Attar, Ghaleb Sweis, Bashar Tarawneh, Waleed Abu-Khader, Leen Haddad, Rateb Sweis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: UTS ePRESS 2025-07-01
Series:Construction Economics and Building
Subjects:
Online Access:https://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/AJCEB/article/view/9253
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author Heba Al-Attar
Ghaleb Sweis
Bashar Tarawneh
Waleed Abu-Khader
Leen Haddad
Rateb Sweis
author_facet Heba Al-Attar
Ghaleb Sweis
Bashar Tarawneh
Waleed Abu-Khader
Leen Haddad
Rateb Sweis
author_sort Heba Al-Attar
collection DOAJ
description Maintaining efficiency and quality control during the early phases of construction projects depends on accurate duration estimation. However, because there is not enough data available in the initial stages of project planning, traditional methodologies suffer. To address these challenges, this study presents an innovative approach using artificial neural networks (ANNs) through Python. This method offers reliable predictions for early-stage duration estimation. ANN models were created and validated with 53 design parameters using data from 100 different construction projects in Jordan. Furthermore, the study refined the models to 43 parameters using a questionnaire-driven approach. The average duration estimation accuracy of the ANN models was 90% during the initial stage and 95% during the planning stage, demonstrating their great accuracy. Its uniqueness comes in its application of ANN to early-stage building, an area that has not been extensively studied in the literature to date, and in its demonstration that reliable predictions may be generated in the absence of abundant data. This study demonstrates ANN's effectiveness in enhancing early-stage construction planning by providing stakeholders with a more accurate duration estimation tool than traditional methods. The findings contribute significantly to improving decision-making and project planning in the early phases.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2204-9029
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher UTS ePRESS
record_format Article
series Construction Economics and Building
spelling doaj-art-e6f351ea2ce241df9dfafdaabf1f28342025-08-20T03:46:41ZengUTS ePRESSConstruction Economics and Building2204-90292025-07-0125210.5130/AJCEB.v25i2.9253Enhanced Construction Project Duration Estimation Using Artificial Neural Networks: Initial Design and Planning StagesHeba Al-Attar0Ghaleb Sweis1Bashar Tarawneh2Waleed Abu-Khader3Leen Haddad4Rateb Sweis5University of JordanUniversity of JordanUniversity of JordanMerrimack CollegeUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of Jordan Maintaining efficiency and quality control during the early phases of construction projects depends on accurate duration estimation. However, because there is not enough data available in the initial stages of project planning, traditional methodologies suffer. To address these challenges, this study presents an innovative approach using artificial neural networks (ANNs) through Python. This method offers reliable predictions for early-stage duration estimation. ANN models were created and validated with 53 design parameters using data from 100 different construction projects in Jordan. Furthermore, the study refined the models to 43 parameters using a questionnaire-driven approach. The average duration estimation accuracy of the ANN models was 90% during the initial stage and 95% during the planning stage, demonstrating their great accuracy. Its uniqueness comes in its application of ANN to early-stage building, an area that has not been extensively studied in the literature to date, and in its demonstration that reliable predictions may be generated in the absence of abundant data. This study demonstrates ANN's effectiveness in enhancing early-stage construction planning by providing stakeholders with a more accurate duration estimation tool than traditional methods. The findings contribute significantly to improving decision-making and project planning in the early phases. https://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/AJCEB/article/view/9253Project DurationArtificial Neural NetworksConstructionJordan
spellingShingle Heba Al-Attar
Ghaleb Sweis
Bashar Tarawneh
Waleed Abu-Khader
Leen Haddad
Rateb Sweis
Enhanced Construction Project Duration Estimation Using Artificial Neural Networks: Initial Design and Planning Stages
Construction Economics and Building
Project Duration
Artificial Neural Networks
Construction
Jordan
title Enhanced Construction Project Duration Estimation Using Artificial Neural Networks: Initial Design and Planning Stages
title_full Enhanced Construction Project Duration Estimation Using Artificial Neural Networks: Initial Design and Planning Stages
title_fullStr Enhanced Construction Project Duration Estimation Using Artificial Neural Networks: Initial Design and Planning Stages
title_full_unstemmed Enhanced Construction Project Duration Estimation Using Artificial Neural Networks: Initial Design and Planning Stages
title_short Enhanced Construction Project Duration Estimation Using Artificial Neural Networks: Initial Design and Planning Stages
title_sort enhanced construction project duration estimation using artificial neural networks initial design and planning stages
topic Project Duration
Artificial Neural Networks
Construction
Jordan
url https://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/AJCEB/article/view/9253
work_keys_str_mv AT hebaalattar enhancedconstructionprojectdurationestimationusingartificialneuralnetworksinitialdesignandplanningstages
AT ghalebsweis enhancedconstructionprojectdurationestimationusingartificialneuralnetworksinitialdesignandplanningstages
AT bashartarawneh enhancedconstructionprojectdurationestimationusingartificialneuralnetworksinitialdesignandplanningstages
AT waleedabukhader enhancedconstructionprojectdurationestimationusingartificialneuralnetworksinitialdesignandplanningstages
AT leenhaddad enhancedconstructionprojectdurationestimationusingartificialneuralnetworksinitialdesignandplanningstages
AT ratebsweis enhancedconstructionprojectdurationestimationusingartificialneuralnetworksinitialdesignandplanningstages