Alfredo Serpell

Construction process improvement methodology for construction projects

Abstract A methodology developed for construction improvement and waste reduction is presented. This methodology has been successfully applied during the last 3 years to several construction sites in Chile, through consulting services and research studies. The approach includes a set of structured activities and tools that are performed and applied for the identification and evaluation of the problems that produce construction waste, and the causes associated to them. A second stage of the approach corresponds to the development of both short and mid-term solutions in order to act on the factors that produce these problems with the purpose of reducing or eliminating their effects. A summary of the major improvements achieved through the application of this framework is also included to show the potential of this approach, specially in countries where the construction industry is characterized by the low educational level of its workers and the many technological limitations that still pervade some construction sectors, particularly the housing construction sector.

Awareness, actions, drivers and barriers of sustainable construction in Chile

Abstract The socio-economic conditions of a country and the overall practices of the construction industry towards Sustainable Construction (SC) are critical factors to define the foundations for developing and carrying out a strategic plan to advance in sustainable construction. This paper reports the results of a study about SC practices currently implemented by construction companies and discusses the level of awareness and knowledge, barriers and drivers of SC that were found in building and infrastructure construction companies. In addition, it analyses the influence of the company size on SC practices. Research results show that Chilean construction firms are in an early stage of the path for achieving SC. Their practices towards SC are highly dependent of the companys size and its core business. Main barriers towards SC are the lack of financial incentives, lack of integrated design, and affordability whereas companys tax reduction incentives related to the level of investment effort on SC would ...

A competency‐based model for construction supervisors in developing countries

Purpose – To analyze the role of construction site supervisors, including foremen and general foremen, as front‐line managers. The role is treated as a critical labor function and a source of value‐added for construction management.Design/methodology/approach – An original model based on the labor competency management framework is proposed for training, developing and certifying construction supervisors in Chile and other developing countries. This model was developed from the findings of a case study in which the competency framework was applied to a specific construction company.Findings – This case study has demonstrated the significant potential of the competency framework for the Chilean construction sector, with its underdeveloped human resources management methods. In particular, this framework can be an effective approach to achieving the competencies required by construction site supervisors who must deal with inadequately trained workers, as is the case in many developing countries. The structu...

Integrating quality systems in construction projects: the Chilean case

Abstract A summary of the principal characteristic, problems, limitations and benefits of the integration of quality systems based on the ISO 9000 in Chilean construction projects, is presented. These implementation processes were carried out by different construction companies with no previous experience on quality systems or ISO 9000, at the requirement of one owner. The particular and general characteristics of the processes and the lessons learned are analysed according to the appraisal of the different participants. Special focus is given to the impact that quality systems had on the relationship between the owner and its contractors. Finally, some recommendations are proposed for a successful integration of quality systems in construction projects, as well as for future implementations in countries with limited experience on this regard.

Modeling Competitiveness Factors and Indexes for Construction Companies: Findings of Chile

AbstractGlobalization and the highly competitive environment have led to an urgent need to create effective competitive strategies in order to survive. Therefore, companies require a better understanding about the interrelationships between the factors that determine competitiveness and indexes to measure it. Considering that strategic planning within the construction industry has had documented challenges, this research provides support for decision making associated with improving competitiveness. This paper first provides the critical variables that define the competitiveness of general contractors according to top managers for general contractors’ companies. Then, an interrelationship model has been proposed to describe how these variables are interrelated based on well-known business models and other relationships found in the literature. The proposed model was evaluated using the partial least squares path modeling technique. The results show that leadership has, in general, the strongest impact on ...

Selection of Construction Methods for Construction Projects: A Knowledge Problem

AbstractAppropriate selection of construction methods used in the execution of a project is a decisive factor for its development and the achievement of the desired results. In many cases, this process is undertaken without suitable attention, generating negative consequences for the project. It is therefore necessary to search for different approaches that would accomplish greater efficiency in the realization of this process. This requires a deep understanding of current practices for implementing the process for construction methods’ selection and the major problems that affect this selection process. The purpose of this article is to report the results of a study oriented to identify the main features of this process such as is currently the standard practice in construction firms. The results obtained allowed the identification of current practices, process problems, and information involved, and the knowledge required for carrying out the selection of construction methods for a construction project....

Certificación de la calidad de viviendas en Chile: Análisis comparativo con sistemas internacionales

La necesidad de crear un sistema que coadyuve al mejoramiento de la calidad de las viviendas y genere confianza en el cliente de que el producto que adquiere cumple con los requisitos establecidos, ha creado la necesidad de la certificacion de la calidad de las viviendas. Un sistema de certificacion de calidad puede ayudar a identificar y satisfacer las necesidades de los clientes de viviendas en factores tan importantes como la seguridad, la confianza, y la integracion de los aspectos de funcionabilidad y habitabilidad. En este contexto, el sistema adquiere importancia para las empresas inmobiliarias y constructoras que desean mantenerse competitivas y mejorar. En este trabajo se realiza una comparacion de los modelos de Certificacion de Calidad de Vivienda existentes a nivel internacional y el Sistema de Certificacion de Calidad otorgado por el Departamento de Investigaciones Cientificas de la Universidad Catolica de Chile. En primer lugar, se realiza una revision de la literatura considerando las fortalezas y debilidades de los modelos existentes; en segundo lugar, se realiza una descripcion del sistema de certificacion de la calidad de las viviendas chileno. Keywords: Certification, quality, housing. Palabras clave: Certificacion, calidad, viviendas.

Fostering the effective usage of risk management in construction

AbstractThe effective management of risk is critical for construction projects. However, research findings show that risk management is either not used or done ineffectively in domestic construction projects. One of the primary reasons for this appears to be the lack of risk management (RM) capabilities and knowledge. A study aimed at developing a system for supporting the effective use of RM is presented. The system has been designed so as to provide the required functionality to assist owners and contractors to develop their capabilities to manage risk effectively, including: a) to assess the existing RM organizational maturity and to report on the existing gaps, b) to propose recommendations for improving the organizational RM capabilities in the light of the detected gaps, and c) to help companies with the implementation and improvement of RM within the organization. The system prototype has been successfully applied in several companies that served as initial case studies. It is anticipated that the ...

Methodology for the preparation of construction project waste management plans based on innovation and productive thinking processes: a case study in Chile

The construction industry generates the greatest quantity of solid waste in the world, which is now becoming an environmental and social problem for future generations. Efforts to decrease the impact of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) through mechanisms like clean production agreements, laws, decrees and legislation, among others, are not producing results. Therefore, this article describes a methodology to create a construction and demolition waste management plan (C&DWMP) based on processes of innovation and productive thinking. The plan, implemented in a construction project, aims to include strategies that not only classify and manage C&DW, but also avoid its production and disposal in landfills. The results show a high level of participation, involvement and open-mindedness from the project members. Their ability to come up with ideas and increase awareness to minimize waste was also an achievement. It should be noted that the effectiveness of the C&DW management plan is not presented from a quantitative point of view.

A Mobile Cloud Shared Workspace to Support Lessons-Learned in Construction Companies.

Construction is a project-based industry, and for each project, companies have to cope with specific challenges. Nevertheless, most of these challenges are similar to each other and share many common elements. Thus, projects are an important source of expert know-how and organizational knowledge, but lessons learned in each one are not systematically incorporated into the design and construction phases of subsequent projects. Typically, construction companies do not have effective tools to make an appropriate transfer of this valuable knowledge for future projects. Therefore, shared workspaces could play an important role to do this by increasing communication among workers, organizing work more efficiently, reducing the coordination cost, and keeping an updated overview of the project. This paper presents a mobile cloud shared workspace to support knowledge management along each project. The platform is the result of the research and development work conducted by the authors, supported by a construction company, during the last two years.