Jane Matthews

Cost Overruns in Hydrocarbon Megaprojects: A Critical Review and Implications for Research

Cost overruns are prevalent in hydrocarbon (oil and gas) megaprojects. A recent report indicates that 64% of ongoing megaprojects globally are facing cost overruns. Despite their increasing occurrence, there has been limited published research in the mainstream literature that has specifically examined why and how they occur. Consequently, suggestions regarding how to constructively address cost overruns in hydrocarbon megaprojects are scant. To better understand the causal nature of cost overruns in hydrocarbon mega-projects, this article provides a critical review of the extant literature. Findings from the research indicate that complex interactions between project characteristics, people, technology, and structure and culture contribute to cost overruns occurring. As a result, it is suggested that chaos theory can be used to explain how cost overruns arise in hydrocarbon megaprojects. This article provides a reference point for engendering future research in this pervasive and fertile area.

Requirements for Model Server Enabled Collaborating on Building Information Models

The application of Building Information Modelling BIM has demonstrated enormous potential to deliver consistency in the construction collaboration process. BIM can define an explicit configuration for digitized information exchange; however the technology to collaborate on models has not yet delivered the industry requirements for BIM collaboration. This research project is intended to provide a fresh review of industry requirements for BIM collaboration and will analyse how these requirements can be supported using a model server as a collaboration platform. This paper presents a review of existing collaboration platforms, with a particular focus to evaluate the research and development efforts on model servers as a collaboration platform. This paper also reports on the findings of three focus group sessions with industry practitioners to identify any problems in the available collaboration systems. The focus group findings identify a number of issues in current collaboration environments which help to understand the main domains of user requirements for BIM collaboration. These requirement domains will be further analysed to identify functional and technical specifications for a model server enabled collaboration platform.

Systems information modelling: Enabling digital asset management

Abstract Having access to the right information at the right time has been, and remains a pervasive problem during operations and maintenance (O&M) and thus hinders an asset owners ability to ensure their facilities performance are being optimized. Typically, asset managers are often confronted with ‘As-built’ documentation that is prepared using Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) and is often incomplete, erroneous and/or redundant, which adversely impacts an assets integrity and productivity during O&M. With this mind, the quality of information contained within ‘As-Built’ electrical documentation for an ‘Underground Railway Station’ is evaluated by quantifying the errors and omissions contained within them. The cost to document information using CAD compared to the development of a System Information Model (SIM) is determined. A retrospective SIM is constructed and a bi-directional link with a three dimensional (3D) model is established to ensure the integrity of the information required for O&M. The use of a SIM instead of CAD can provide engineers with a new medium and process for preparing the design and documentation of electrical systems as it provides them with an ability to obtain significant productivity and cost benefits. The empirical research presented in this paper provides the impetus for future research in the fertile and unexplored area of Digital Asset Management for infrastructure projects.

Auto-generated site layout: an integrated approach to real-time sensing of temporary facilities in infrastructure projects

Abstract The use of computational algorithms is popular in method studies, especially in the aspects of knowledge that relates to construction site layout modelling. However, extant approaches in these seldom support automated tracking of construction resources and available spaces. As a result, it is often time-consuming and subjective to autogenerate site layouts. This paper describes the development and implementation of a component-level system that is capable of generating site layouts automatically. The system involves the integration of building information models, genetic algorithm and a radio frequency identification system that has the capability to report object locations in real time. System and software architectures are presented to illustrate the enabling technologies, subsystems and software that are required to facilitate the developed system. A case study is also presented to demonstrate the functionality of the developed system. The practical implication of this research is such that the reported findings builds on gaps in previous scholarly work to develop a system that models site layouts and the associated costs automatically. Findings from the study also facilitate both early signalling of pending delays and their immediate recovery protocols.

A systems information model for managing electrical, control, and instrumentation assets

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a systems information model (SIM) that is akin to a building information model (BIM) and can be used by asset managers and staff to make more informed and quicker decisions about maintenance. Design/methodology/approach – The problems associated with managing assets are examined alongside recent international efforts to standardize methods of data collection for meeting the objectives of owners. A case study in the domain of electrical, control and instrumentation (ECI) documentation is examined in detail, with particular reference to the amelioration of errors and omissions in “as built” drawings in order to provide the underlying foundation to support effective asset management (AM). Findings – The findings show that object oriented data models such as SIM provide a robust structure for effective and efficient AM and associated leverage of benefits throughout the entire facility lifecycle of a project. In particular object oriented data enables appropria...

PPP social infrastructure procurement: Examining the feasibility of a life-cycle performance measurement framework

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have been extensively used to deliver an array of infrastructure projects in Australia; they have become an integral part of several state governments’ procurement strategies. Over the last decade, however, several major PPP projects have incurred significant cost and schedule overruns, which have marred their use as a mechanism for delivering much-needed infrastructure. The paucity of performance measurement frameworks has contributed to the difficulty of proactively managing the effective and efficient delivery of PPPs, particularly during operations and maintenance. With this in mind, a lifecycle and stakeholder-oriented performance measurement framework (PMF) is conceptualized within the context of social infrastructure PPPs. The opinions of 160 practitioners about the proposed measures and their core indicators were solicited using a questionnaire survey. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the significance of proposed measures and their relevant core indicators (CIs) for measuring the performance of PPP projects throughout their lifecycle. The analysis reveals that the proposed PMF is a reliable and robust tool that can be used to assist with ensuring that social infrastructure PPPs can be delivered successfully throughout each phase of their lifecycle. The developed PMF provides governments and private consortiums with a robust and practical tool to measure and control the performance of their future projects.

Chaos Theory: Implications for Cost Overrun Research in Hydrocarbon Megaprojects

AbstractCost overruns are a recurrent problem in hydrocarbon (oil and gas) megaprojects. An understanding of why and how they occur is needed if they are to be mitigated; such knowledge can provide managers with the foundations to develop techniques to reduce and contain their negative impacts on a project’s performance. This paper examines the nature of cost overruns in hydrocarbon megaprojects using the theoretical lens of chaos theory. The underlying principles of chaos theory are reviewed and its research implications for examining cost overruns identified. By viewing megaprojects as chaotic or dynamic systems, the industry and research community may be better positioned to develop innovative solutions to mitigate cost overrun occurrence.

Critical success factors of adapting heritage buildings: an exploratory study

Purpose – The loss of heritage buildings should be avoided as they provide a tangible example of a period of life that is now gone. Adaptive re-use enables buildings to be given a second life, enabling them to live on when they may have been previously underutilized. Changing the capacity, function or performance of underutilized buildings for a different purpose, or to suit new conditions, or making use of pre-existing structural elements has become necessary to preserve heritage buildings. The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical success factors (CSF) for the adaptive re-use of heritage buildings. Design/methodology/approach – Identification of CSF for adaptive re-use can provide asset owners, developers and key stakeholders with the knowledge needed to ensure a project is delivered successfully. Due to a lack of research in the area of CSF for heritage buildings, an exploratory approach was undertaken. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with stakeholders to solicit their views as t...

Toward productivity improvement in electrical engineering documentation

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to determine the unproductive time and additional cost to re-engineer a safety control system for a Floating Production Storage Offloading vessel that was originally engineered and documented in computer-aided design (CAD). Design/methodology/approach - – The “As-Built” drawings contained numerous errors and omissions, which resulted in a “requests for information” being raised and productivity rates reduced – these costs and productivity losses are quantified. The use of CAD to originally engineer and document the safety control system was found to be inefficient as a 1: Findings - – The use of a SIM to re-engineer and document the new safety control system resulted in significant productivity benefits being achieved. Consequently, it is proffered that a paradigm shift from a 1: Originality/value - – The paper concludes by suggesting that future research is required to examine how processes and procedures can be re-designed to accommodate the use of a SIM.

Building information modelling in construction: insights from collaboration and change management perspectives

Abstract A case study is used to obtain the experiences from a contractor and their subcontractors involved with constructing the landmark Perth Stadium, which required a building information model (BIM) to be delivered for the purpose of asset management. Insights about ‘how’ the adoption of a BIM influenced the practice of collaboration and change management within the project are obtained. It was revealed that having limited experience and knowledge to deliver a model for asset management often resulted the project team ‘muddling through a problem’. This was not necessarily due to a shortage of training, but a lack of BIM knowledge, which inadvertently influenced every day practice. The research presented builds on the extant body of works that have examined how the construction industry can effectively acquire the benefits of BIM for asset management. It also highlights the need to incorporate education and learning into a project’s BIM implementation strategy.