Saad H.S. Al-Jibouri

Monitoring systems and their effectiveness for project cost control in construction

This paper reports on a research to investigate the effectiveness of some commonly used monitoring systems, in detecting deviations from the planned cost and performance. The monitoring systems used in this work are: n nLeading parameter technique n nVariances method n nActivity based ratios technique n nThe paper describes these monitoring systems; their characteristics, the measures they use and their effectiveness for assessing performance. The systems are first evaluated on a theoretical basis and then on the basis of results from investigations carried using simulation approach. A project model has been developed which realistically simulates the progress of the project and which generates information relevant to these monitoring systems. Factors affecting the project cost and performance are represented by changes in the project plan and inflation rates. It has been found that some of the earlier monitoring systems have more response to changes than the others. The research has also shown that the Activity based ratio’s technique gives a clearer and simpler indication of the overall progress of the project than the other two techniques.

Identifying key performance indicators for use in control of pre‐project stage process in construction

Purpose - The need for measuring construction project performance has led to development and implementation of various key performance indicators (KPIs). This paper aims to present and discuss the results of a pilot study and interviews to identify process-based KPIs for use in control of the pre-project stage. Design/methodology/approach - Initially, the process of the pre-project stage was mapped to define its main generic sub-processes and outputs based on the literature review. The process map was then verified through a pilot study. Based on the verified sub-processes, a number of process-based KPIs were identified and later validated by experts during the interviews. Findings - As a consequence of the refinement process due to the results of the pilot study and the interviews, the process-based KPIs for the pre-project stage were identified and the main issues they have to encompass were discussed. Originality/value - The identified KPIs offer a significant step towards process control within the pre-project stage. They provide a basis for further development to improve process transparency and to explain the relationships between the various sub-processes.

Proposed system for measuring project performance using process-based key performance indicators

Despite some evidence of its usefulness, performance measurement by using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the construction industry also has its critics. Among the shortcomings attributed to existing KPIs is the fact that almost all of them are product oriented. This means that the indicators are mostly used for review purposes after a project is completed and do not provide the opportunity to control the work whilst the project is still in progress. Many researchers have agreed on the need for a new approach that considers the construction process and allows active control. This paper describes the design of a proposed generic system for measuring process performance. As a basis for measuring process performance, the proposed measurement system relies on a series of questions related to both process completeness and process quality. The structure of the measurement system is on the basis of the findings of an earlier stage of the research that had resulted in the development of a number of process-based KPIs and the key issues they encompass. The appropriateness of the proposed measurement system has been tested on two on-going projects. The testing has shown that the proposed system produces relatively accurate indications of actual performance of construction projects. In this research, it was not possible to test the validity or the effectiveness of the proposed measurement system for control in practice. This is because of the long timescales involved in real-life projects and because of the possible influence of control actions taken by project management between the various processes

The enhancement of simulation based learning exercises through formalised reflection, focus groups and group presentation

Computer based simulations and games can be useful tools in teaching aspects of construction project management that are not easily transmitted through traditional lecture based approaches. However, it can be difficult to quantify their utility and it is essential to ensure that students are achieving the learning outcomes required rather than just learning to play a game. Maintaining engagement and encouraging reflection are critical elements in ensuring that effective learning is occurring. Recent work using simulation games for teaching construction project planning and control is described with reference to a range of methods employed by the authors. The paper focuses on a teaching module at the University of Nottingham employing simulation games as the primary source of instruction in a self-directed learning exercise. This style of teaching is not suited to all students and current work to extend the learning experience to suit a wider audience is described. Preliminary findings from the work are given along with discussion of plans for further development.

Planning linear construction projects: automated method for the generation of earthwork activities

Earthworks planning for road construction projects is a complex operation and the planning rules used are usually intuitive and not well defined. An approach to automate the earthworks planning process is described and the basic techniques that are used are outlined. A computer-based system has been developed, initially to help planners use existing techniques more efficiently. With their input, the system has been extended to incorporate a knowledge base and a simulation of the earthworks processes. As well as creating activity sets in a much shorter time, the system has shown that for a real project, the model is able to generate activity sets that are comparable to those generated by a project planner.

Lean Transformation in a Modular Building Company: A Case for Implementation

Encouraged by the remarkable productivity improvements in the manufacturing sector, the construction industry has a long history of trying to garner the benefits of manufacturing technologies. Whereas industrialized construction methods, such as modular and manufactured buildings, have evolved over decades, core techniques used in prefabrication plants vary only slightly from those employed in traditional site-built construction. The objective of this research was to develop and implement a production system for the effective application of lean tools in building components prefabrication. To overcome the prevalent skepticism among middle management, the lean journey started with a pilot project involving one production line. Over a six-month period, lean tools such as 5S (sort, straighten, shine, standardize, and sustain), standardized work, takt time planning, variation management, and value stream mapping were implemented to a communication shelter production line. The implementation successfully won the support of the middle managers and established the foundation for expanding lean practices to other parts of the factory and applying relevant lean tools and techniques

Effects of resource management regimes on project schedule

This paper deals with the problem of resource scheduling within given resource constraints on a sectionalised construction project. A computer model has been developed which realistically simulates the progress of projects. A project has been selected and divided into sections whereby section managers are allocated part of the site resources to carry out their work and are made responsible for the performance of the work on their sections. The major part of the model is a heuristic scheduler that has been run under three types of project organisations, these are; central management, section management with co-operation between the sections and independent section management. The resultant project duration under fixed resource level has been used in each of these project management regimes as a measure of the efficiency of the resource scheduling process. It has been found that the scheduling is more effective in the case of section management with co-operation between the sections than the other two cases.

Influence of process performance during the construction stage on achieving end-project goals

Within a project environment, good process performance can be seen as indicative of eventual success of achieving end‐project goals. A model is proposed for identifying the links between process performance during construction and end‐project goals. The model is developed using process mapping technique to identify a number of process‐based key performance indicators (KPIs) designed for use in controlling process performance in the construction stage. These KPIs were then linked to generic project goals to measure the perceived degree of influence of process performance on the achievement of end‐project goals. The strength of these links within the model was established through a number of in‐depth interviews with respondents. Analysis of the results using methods of ranking and statistics has shown that some processes are perceived to have stronger relationships with the end‐project goals than others. The proposed process‐based KPIs hence offer an opportunity for control of the processes during the construction stage and eventually to influence the projects’ outcomes. In addition to the management of project time and cost, the model provides a broader focus of control that includes other multiple aspects such as the management of interactions between internal and external stakeholders as well as of information and quality management.

Ergonomic Analysis and the Need for Its Integration for Planning and Assessing Construction Tasks

AbstractThe execution of daily construction tasks exposes workers to one or multiple ergonomic risk factors (awkward postures, static force, vibration, repetition, environmental risk, contact stress) and thus varying risks of developing musculoskeletal disorders. As a result, musculoskeletal disorders are common issues in construction and result in costly delays and disability claims. Though there is recent research investigating the epidemiology and causal factors for musculoskeletal injury, the construction industry has not fully embraced this as part of its safety practices. This study presents state-of-the-art ergonomic techniques, Canadian ergonomic legislation, and work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD) lost-time claims (LTC) statistics to show the resultant economic (cash and productivity) losses and adverse social (occupational health and safety) impact of WRMSDs resulting from current practice and legislation. The potential short- and long-term productivity and cost merits of incorporating...

Site layout for earthworks in road projects

This paper describes the integration of various models to provide a realistic decision support system for linear project site layout. Initially, the paper describes an investigation to determine the actual methods currently used by project managers and planners. A review of both techniques adopted by the managers and the knowledge acquisition methods employed are included in the paper. Following this, this paper describes the work done to automate the existing systems. This resulted in a system which has been used in practice and has been shown to be a great help to managers. It is based on the traditional method of mass‐haul diagrams used to determine the earthworks activities. A separate simulation and artificial intelligence model of earthworks are described. This will be extended to model linear projects more realistically than does mass‐haul.