Jin Ouk Choi

Critical Success Factors and Enablers for Optimum and Maximum Industrial Modularization

AbstractModularization is a well-established technique that can improve the construction industry by exporting a portion of site-based work to fabrication shops. However, its application in the industry is limited. The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) industry needs new approaches to reach higher levels of modularization. The purpose of this study is to determine what changes in current EPC processes are needed to create an optimal environment for a broader and more effective use of modularization. In creating such an nvironment, it is necessary to know the factors that lead to success. The most influential critical success factors (CSFs; 21 total) have been determined by the expertise of a research team who compiled a detailed list by adding CSF enablers. CSF enablers are additional steps that can facilitate accomplishment of the associated CSF. A closer look at the top five CSFs indicates that project teams should pay particular attention to module envelope limitations, team agreement on ...

Standardization Strategy for Modular Industrial Plants

AbstractModularization is a well-established technique in which a portion of site-based work is exported to fabrication shops, thereby contributing to an improved construction. When modularization is combined with design standardization, according to the literature of the shipbuilding and manufacturing industries, the result is a leveraging opportunity. Such an approach can incorporate all the benefits from both design standardization and modularization and can constitute a strategy for augmenting modularization. This paper addresses a leveraging opportunity for modularization augmentation by examining how modularization and design standardization relate to one another in the industrial sector. A research team comprised of industrial and academic members identified standard modules as well as a modular standardized plant (MSP) as distinct approaches to combining modularization and design standardization. The research further identified 10 types of economic advantages and 3 types of economic disadvantages ...

Industrial Project Execution Planning: Modularization versus Stick-Built

Abstract High levels of modularization have yet to be generally achieved by the construction industry. To suggest how such levels might be achieved, this study identified needed changes or adaptations in conventional project work processes. It did so by identifying and analyzing differences in how modular projects should be planned and executed. Nineteen research team members and two academic researchers identified, classified, and grouped 107 differences in how modular projects should be planned and executed. Later, three modularization case studies were conducted, and the findings were subsequently validated by an external validation committee. At the topic level, nearly 37% of the planning differences pertained to one of four topics: planning and cost estimating; modularization scoping, layout process, and plot plan; basic design standards, models, and deliverables; or detailed design deliverables. The industry may need to pay attention to these four topics to achieve higher levels of modularization. T...

Recipes for Cost and Schedule Successes in Industrial Modular Projects: Qualitative Comparative Analysis

AbstractModularization is a well-established method that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the construction industry. However, the industry continues to struggle with its implementation, and not all executed modular projects have resulted in successful project performance. This study investigates the combinatorial effects of modularization critical success factors (CSF) on the cost and schedule performances of industrial modular projects and derives a conceptual model of cost and schedule successes using information from actual cases by applying crisp-set qualitative comparative analysis. The findings confirm that CSFs interactively and collectively affect modular industrial project performance. The most commonly involved CSFs for cost and schedule successes are timely design freeze, owner-furnished/long-lead equipment specification, vendor involvement, and management of execution risks. This work contributes to researchers and practitioners in the industrial sector to improve understanding ...

Opportunities and challenges of modular methods in dense urban environment

ABSTRACT When properly implemented, modular construction offers considerable opportunity to improve project performance. However, the construction industry continues to struggle to achieve higher levels of modularization. Since the characteristics and environments in dense urban areas differ to those in rural areas, strategy, pre-project planning, project execution planning, and actual execution of modular construction should also differ. However, research so far has not focused on the implementation of modular methods in urban environments. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify unique challenges and opportunities for implementing modular techniques in urban environments. To meet this goal, this paper examined the current practices, benefits, and barriers in highly dense urban areas by employing a three staged-sequential approach involving the preliminary investigation, main survey (106 responses from 39 companies), and ex-post in-depth interviews with 10 experts. The results show that (1) ‘better site operations’ was selected by practitioners as the greatest benefit, and ‘site access and on-site storage area’ was selected as the key barrier and (2) the practitioners experienced difficulties in transporting modules in urban areas. These findings offer valuable implications to modular technique implementation in urban areas around the world.

Identifying Wastes in Construction Process and Implementing the Last Planner System in India

Most of the Indian contractors are not well equipped to handle the growing demand of infrastructure development; hence construction projects frequently run in to time and cost overruns, disputes and quality issues. This study aims to improve the construction industry in India by implementing lean principles to eliminate non-value adding activities (wastes). The purpose of this study is to 1) identify the wastes and their sources affecting the construction process, and 2) to identify problems and document lessons by applying a Last Planner System (LPS) to a sample project. First, the researchers identified that Delays, Rework, and Interruptions were the most critical wastes affecting the construction process and Poor management control, Poor Planning and Shortage of Resources were the major sources of the above mentioned wastes. Second, the researchers report the Percent of Planned Complete (PPC) analysis results and experienced problems after implementation of LPS at the sample project. It was observed that much more improvement could have been achieved if there was consensus between the owners and the contractor on the implementation of the LPS in its entirety. Some of the problems experienced in the implementation of the LPS like lack of scheduling, resource and material shortage were found to be similar to those in developed countries.

Critical Success Factors for Commissioning and Start-Up of Capital Projects

AbstractCommissioning and start-up (CSU) must be accomplished before a facility can initiate initial operations and begin meeting commercial objectives. Actions necessary for successful CSU are often not well planned or executed, resulting in poor CSU performance. Recognizing this significant shortfall, the purpose of this study is to determine critical activities necessary to increase the likelihood of successful CSU performance on capital projects. Utilizing input from CSU experts, objective data collection, and subsequent data analysis, 16 critical success factors (CSFs) were identified through this research. Further elements developed include CSF’s timing of CSF implementation, support of safety and quality, and current frequency of CSF achievement. The researchers recommend the industry to pay particular attention to these six laggard CSFs: CSU value recognition, adequate funding for CSU, CSU leadership continuity, system milestone acceptance criteria and deliverables, CSU systems engineering during ...

Culture and organizational culture in the construction industry : a literature review

The effectiveness and competitive advantage of an organization/project can be enhanced when its members possess an understanding, respect, acceptance, and capacity to manage crosscultural differences. Ignoring or failing to manage such differences may lead to many problems in the project (e.g., project delays and productivity decrease). In fact, international/transnational projects involving participants from diverse political, legal, economic, and cultural backgrounds are on the rise. Hence, firms should be cross-culturally competent and capable of managing in contrasting cultural factors. However, a recent study conducted in 2013 by the Construction Industry Institute (CII) reported that one of the major concerns of construction professionals is a widespread lack of understanding of foreign cultures, ethnicities, and languages. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of the literature on cultural aspects in the construction industry so as to identify the knowledge gaps and to suggest recommendations for future research. To do so, the authors have identified and compared major studies on cultural factors. From the comparison, the authors have identified the categories that are considered the most central to understanding cultural differences; they are, “group attachment and relations,” “authority and status,” “uncertainty and rules,” “gender roles and assertiveness,” and “time and future orientation.” The authors also summarize the current research topics in culture in construction and recommend ideas for future research into culture as it pertains to a construction context.

Modularization Critical Success Factors Accomplishment: Learning from Case Studies

A well-known method of improving productivity in the construction industry is modularization, in which a portion of potential site-based work is carried out in fabrication/assembly shops. The construction industry as a whole, however, makes little use of modularization. Previous studies have identified how modularization is used now as well as the obstacles to applying it to projects. To help achieve wider and more effective use of modularization, the Construction Industry Institute’s (CII) Research Team 283 identified in 2013 21 critical success factors (CSFs). Information that is still missing, however, is the current level of CSF accomplishment on actual modular projects. This work collects such information and analyzes the general status of, degree of, and timing of CSFs accomplishment. This work finds that what appear to be challenging but valuable opportunities to increase modularization are higher degree of accomplishment in early completion recognition, investment in studies, and owner-delay avoidance. Moreover, this paper recommends earlier accomplishment on the following CSFs: module envelope limitations, alignment on drivers, module fabricator capability, and vendor involvement. This understanding of how well the industry accomplishes modularization CSFs should provide insight into how to achieve higher levels of modularization.