TILOS

Graphical Time-Location Planning With Two-Dimensional Plans

The market leader in time-location planning combining flexible drawing software with powerful scheduling tools for linear projects.

There are many challenges to consider when planning engineering projects, many of which will not be visible or manageable when using CAD and Excel software tools.  Unlike these systems, TILOS provides a graphical visualisation of the project plan with the project location.

With TILOS you get extensive drawing tools, as well as scheduling, cost and resource management in one system.TILOS is designed specifically for planning, managing and delivering linear construction projects including roads, railway construction and maintenance, pipelines and tunnels. It is used on many major projects, including:

Thames Water are using TILOS on The Thames Tunnel, read more

Crossrail are using the TILOS software system for planning and coordinating construction works

Watch a short BBC video on the Crossrail tunnels

TILOS is being used to coordinate and visualise the construction phase programmes for Phase 1 of HS2, on 5 geographical areas between London Euston and Birmingham plus the railway systems.  The TILOS work is used to brief internal stakeholders and is acknowledged to be a very effective way of assimilating such a massive programme of works.

“TILOS transformed our engineers’ attitude toward project scheduling from something extra they never had time for to a tool they “owned” and wouldn’t go to a meeting without” James Lyon, HDR Inc., USA

Plans are clearly represented on two-dimensional charts with time illustrated on one axis and location on the other. The system imports site data that can be represented by symbols and pictures for a clearer understanding of any constraints. This graphical link between the site and schedule provides a more accurate and effective project plan.

TILOS supports regular project updates so you can constantly monitor actual progress against the original plan. Tasks can be progressed by location, time and date and percentage complete – creating the best As-Built plan possible.

The ‘What-if’ analysis tool rapidly finds the optimum sequence of activities by simulating alternative project schedules by changing the working times and locations of activities. This would not be possible using just a Gantt chart or a CAD/Excel tool for drawing plans.

The high quality of professional looking printed and electronic plans will help in winning more contracts, delivering projects more efficiently and justifying any cause-and-effect delays. Data exchange with, Asta Powerproject, Microsoft Project, Primavera and Excel enhances time savings further.

With TILOS you can:

  • Produce effective planning schedules for linear projects
  • Create graphical drawings quickly and with ease
  • Produce high quality, professional looking plans that set you apart from the competition
  • Save time and money on your project planning
  • Improve communications amongst all stakeholders
  • Create the best ‘As-Built’ plan possible
  • Provide regular updates on your project for up-to-date progress reporting

The Linear Scheduling Method

TILOS was developed to improve visualisation of repetitive tasks when planning and managing major projects. The time-distance diagram supports all highway, rail, tunnel, pipeline and bridge projects.

The key benefits of TILOS is the flow of visual data in terms of time and place on one plan. CPM schedules and network diagrams are more analytical, but they fail to provide a visual connection between the project plan and the project itself.

Each country has different names for this specific planning technique:

  • Linear Scheduling Method (LSM)
  • Time Distance Diagram
  • Time Location Diagram
  • Time Chainage
  • French Diagram
  • March Chart

Due to the lack of decent software tools, many plans were drawn with  software packages like CAD or Excel. The major flaw being that as soon  as changes occurred, plans were constantly being amended as there was no  easier way to process the data visually. TILOS combines both time and  distance in one powerful project management tool:

  • Full CPM analysis. Display of critical path in Time-Distance diagram
  • Full support of sub-projects.  Bridges, pump stations or other bar activities can be planned in a  separate sub-project and their major activities or milestones can be  linked to Time-Distance-Diagram.
  • Full control over Quantities, work rates, resources and costs connected to location information.
  • Perfect monitoring of progress along the production line.

Background

TILOS is developed by Linear Project GmbH, our partner company, based in Karlsruhe Germany.  Version 1 was launched in 1998 and today, TILOS is recognised as Continental Europe’s leading time-location planning software.  In October 2004, Asta became the exclusive distributor of TILOS in the UK, offering full technical support and training services.