Monty Sutrisna

Public-Private Partnerships: a review of theory and practice of performance measurement

Purpose - – This paper reviews the normative literature of performance measurement within the context of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of current ex post evaluations of PPPs and identify a feasible direction to comprehensively and effectively measure the performance of PPP infrastructure projects. Design/methodology/approach - – An in-depth literature review is conducted in this paper. The focus of the review is associated with the general performance measurement and performance measurements of PPPs. Findings - – This paper identifies that conventional ex post evaluation is not robust enough to measure the performance of PPP projects. Based on the characteristics of PPPs, the life-cycle (process-based) evaluation under performance measurement system is a promising approach to comprehensive and effective PPP performance measurement. Practical implications - – The outcomes of this paper can be used as a theoretical base for the development of PPP performance measurement framework. Originality/value - – Performance measurement is essential to business success, whether it is at the organisation or project level. Limitations on public funds have encouraged more and more governments across the world to use PPPs to procure economic and social infrastructure projects. Similar to traditional procurement,

Preliminary contractual framework for BIM-enabled projects

AbstractBuilding information modeling (BIM) has entered into another phase of maturity, especially in countries that have been actively adopting and using BIM including in Taiwan, Republic of China...

Implementation of Earned Value Management in Unit-Price Payment Contracts

AbstractThe earned value management (EVM) method is internationally considered a standard tool in the project management field, enabling professionals to plan and control cost and schedule in an in...

Exploring earned value management in the Spanish construction industry as a pathway to competitive advantage

ABSTRACT As a well established discipline and profession, project management has its distinctive tools and techniques. One of them that has been considered the embodiment of the core principles of project management is the Earned Value Management (EVM). In managing construction projects, the EVM has been considered as a suitable tool and hence, has been implemented in various construction industry but absent in some others. Taking into account the dynamic environment where construction companies have to operate, particularly in turbulence environments as the direct result of recent global economic downturn, this paper explores the potential implementation of EVM in one of the construction industry, the Spanish construction industry. The outcomes confirm the needs for and feasibility of implementing EVM as a structured approach in the industry to reposition the Spanish construction industry with the long term view to increase its project management maturity level as a pathway to gaining competitive advantage.

Securing the embeddedness of psychosocial diffusion indicators into the Turkish construction industry: Silence is no longer golden

Purpose The paper aims to investigate the employee–stakeholder engagement on business performance. A psychosocial approach was used to evaluate employees’ perception and role engagement on organisational performance, cognisant of: strategy development; leadership; fiscal acuity; employees’ skills, empowerment; supply chain relationships; external stakeholders and wider societal beneficiaries. Design/methodology/approach This research is context-bound to the Turkish construction industry. Findings generated from literature established a set of evidenced-based priorities for further investigation. A case study approach was conducted with three large architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) organisations to define psychosocial diffusion indicators and priorities for future uptake. Findings Initial findings on psychosocial diffusion indicators and their impact on business performance are presented through a psychosocial diffusion model. Three interconnected facets are proffered for future uptake: capability (responsiveness), capability (flexibility) and capability (competence). Research limitations/implications Findings are exclusively bound to the sample frame in question. No attempt has been made to undertake detailed cross-analysis/correlation to support internal/external consistency, validity or reliability. Practical implications Organisations are able to reflect on their core business strategy to appreciate how psychosocial diffusion can be operationalised. Social implications This work impinges on social factors embedded within (and across) organisational boundaries, including the AEC supply chain. It also relates to employer/employee relationships, psychological functioning and employee well-being. Originality/value Originality rests with the identification of construction-related psychosocial indicators. It contributes to the wider body of knowledge on embedding psychosocial indicators into organisational systems and processes, adding further insight into systems thinking and business transformation.

Enabling an effective knowledge and information flow between the phases of building construction and facilities management

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate ways of transferring knowledge and information during the life-cycle phases of construction projects, particularly between the construction and occupancy phases, and to find an approach to minimise knowledge and information gaps during the handover process. Design/methodology/approach The study applied a qualitative approach involving a literature review and an archival analysis of information flow in the studied cases of a construction project, followed by a cross-cases analysis and expert interviews. Data on information flow were collected from three cases of building construction projects in Perth, Western Australia. In addition, a total of 18 local facilities management experts were interviewed to identify the key reasons of knowledge and information gaps and to propose an effective knowledge flow model. Findings The findings of this study indicated a significant knowledge and information gap, which exists during the handover process in construction projects in Western Australia. The findings of case analysis and expert interviews identified that the project handover guidelines were often ignored in construction projects in Western Australia, and the handover phase was not given the same priority as the design and construction phases by most of the project stakeholders, which led to information and knowledge gaps between the project construction and post-occupancy phases. The study conducted, integrated knowledge and information flow modelling to analyse the knowledge and information gaps followed by mapping the gaps against existing knowledge sharing frameworks (KSFs) before proposing an integrated knowledge sharing conceptual model to improve current practice and to enhance the information flow during the various phases of the construction project life cycle. Research limitations/implications The study is based on three cases in Perth, Western Australia, and thus the findings and recommendations are contextual. Whilst laying a good foundation to do so, further research is needed to investigate more cases in Western Australia and beyond to fully generalise the findings from this study. Originality/value The study contributes to improve the handover process and information flows in project life-cycle phases in Western Australia and develop an information flow model followed by bringing together existing KSFs, namely, the open communication channel (OCC), soft landing framework (SLF) and building information modelling (BIM), to propose an integrated knowledge sharing conceptual model. The methodology used here to analyse the information flow in a diagrammatic manner, the mapping of FM issues against the KSFs’ capabilities and a conceptual model to facilitate change in the industry’s silo mindset are the main contributions of this paper.

Developing work breakdown structure matrix for managing offsite construction projects

ABSTRACT Offsite construction techniques continue to receive considerable attention in academic/research discourse. Whilst discourse in seminal literature critique the positive and negative aspects of offsite; on balance, the benefits outweigh the barriers, especially when fully integrated and managed. From a project management perspective, the techniques applied to construction projects typically commence in determining the project’s work breakdown structure (WBS). Whilst the WBS is applicable to offsite deliverables, reflecting site-based construction activities and concomitant dependencies with the manufacturing processes, there are slight discrepancies in processes, and equally, some areas of repetition and duplication. This mismatch has a fundamental impact on integration, creating pockets of confusion, where less seamless (sub-optimal) synergy between offsite and onsite works is lost. This is an acknowledged challenge. There is, therefore, a real need to retain the product breakdown structure, whilst ensuring a seamless interface with the onsite works is maintained. This is a challenge. Whilst the WBS-matrix has been implemented in the project management domain to bridge the ‘products’ and ‘activities’, this arrangement has not yet been developed for offsite building construction projects. This paper reports an on-going research project set up to implement WBS-matrix for offsite construction projects. Two cases of recently completed offsite construction building projects were studied to analyse current practices – to inform the way forward to further develop the WBS-matrix. Findings from this research provide clear guidance for practitioners involved in offsite construction projects; particularly on the development of the WBS-matrix for manufacturing deliverables/activities in order to more effectively manage offsite construction projects.

Towards developing robust climate risk management strategies in the estuarine park of the Swan River, Western Australia

Purpose This study aims to support the development risk management strategies towards improving the resilience of assets located in the estuary and lower level of the Swan River, Western Australia. The study evaluated the key role of Federal/State policies in adaptation planning and the communication and interface between various stakeholders, including State/Local governments, construction professionals, property developers and landowners. Design/methodology/approach The study applied a mixed research approach through a questionnaire survey followed by an in-depth interview involving local construction experts. Collected data were analysed following the grounded theory methodology style of data analysis. Findings The findings revealed a convoluted understanding of communication networks and responsibility for owning the future risks between relevant stakeholders. As a result, a framework illustrating clear process and roles in mitigating risk and implementing adaptive asset management measures has been formulated and presented in this study. Originality/value Scientific evidence suggested that sea-level rise and increased frequency of major coastal flooding events are inevitable as early as 2100, and having a comprehensive risk management plan of assets to anticipate climate risks and to improve urban resilience is essential. The proposed framework is aimed at local stakeholders in improving current state of communication and adaptation planning as a pathway to develop a robust risk management strategy.

Unlocking the potential of early contractor involvement in reducing design risks in commercial building refurbishment projects – a Western Australian perspective

ABSTRACT The commercial refurbishment sector is widely gaining popularity, particularly in industries such as the Western Australian construction industry in order to effectively house commercial businesses and operations. Unfortunately, commercial refurbishments have long been characterised by its added complexity, risk and uncertainty facing the management and delivery of such projects. The uncertainties are largely attributed to the segregated relationship between design and construction processes. Among a multitude of options in procuring refurbishment projects, the early contractor involvement (ECI) emerged as a procurement route that bridges this typical gap between design and construction, promotes a collaborative design process and offers opportunity for risk mitigation and certainty of delivery. Whilst appearing as a worthy candidate to procure refurbishment of commercial buildings, anecdotal evidence have indicted the potential of ECI to reduce design risks through synergising the contractor’s construction expertise into the design process. In light of this, the paper aims to report the findings from a recent research project conducted in Western Australia on this topic through case study approach. The findings revealed the specific points and activities during design of commercial building refurbishment where the contributions of the contractor are optimum in reducing design risks. This is captured in the resultant process map specifically developed for this type of projects under the ECI scheme. The process map is expected to further support project teams at the early design stage of a commercial building refurbishment projects to devise a robust strategy to fully benefit from procuring their project through ECI.

Developing a Holistic Risk Management Plan in Mitigating Flooding Risks for Buildings Adjacent to the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia☆

Abstract Climate change as a major issue in the 21st century has seen the rise of the sea level and worse storm surges. This has impacted on the further distribution of salinity and flooding of low laying areas even in further inland areas. As the consequence, buildings in the proximity of riverbanks are left susceptible to potential damages and shortened life cycles. Thus, there is a real need to change the way buildings in these areas to be designed and how risk of damages can be mitigated and managed. The city of Perth in Western Australia, like many other cities around the world, is laying on the riverbank of a large river, the Swan River. As the population of Perth increases dramatically, it will become important to ensure sustainability of its buildings to support the ever growing populations and hence its needs. There are myriads of approaches in mitigating and managing these risks. This research project aims to investigate the contemporary risk management practices in mitigating flooding risk in buildings adjacent to the Swan River and bring them together as a holistic risk management approach. The findings of this research can be proposed to the Western Australian government to assist them in developing further policies in ensuring sustainable buildings fit for the future. At this point of writing, the research project is on its early stage of conducting literature review and designing the research methodology. It is intended to conduct a pilot survey, followed by case study approach of contemporary buildings adjacent to the Swan River to contextualize the research. This paper presents the current progress of this research.