Zofia K. Rybkowski
Texas A&M University
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Publication
Featured researches published by Zofia K. Rybkowski.
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management-asce | 2013
Jose L. Fernandez-Solis; Vishal Porwal; Sarel Lavy; Ali Shafaat; Zofia K. Rybkowski; Kiyoung Son; Nishi Lagoo
The number of construction project managers initializing the use of the Last Planner System of Production Control (LPS), an operating system for project management designed to optimize work flow and promote rapid learning, is rapidly increasing, motivated by industry trends and testimonials of its perceived benefits. This study, limited to the building sector, is a systematic literature and testimonial search of the perceived motivations and benefits or challenges for choosing LPS. It substantiates the claims of those perceptions through a structured survey of senior and mid-level managers. Quantitative statistical tools infer that practitioners who use LPS experience more reliable planning, better supply chain integration, and less work flow time. However, managers who directly implement LPS are faced with external resistance from clients and subcontractors, and feel that their organization does not offer the necessary incentives for adopting LPS, indicating a possible clash of paradigms. The case studies and testimonials were available in the literature referenced in the paper, but the survey and the method for analysis are new and have not been published elsewhere, either wholly or in part. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000606.
International Journal of Construction Education and Research | 2014
David Bilbo; Ben F. Bigelow; Zofia K. Rybkowski; Amineh Kamranzadeh
This study explores predictors of female project managers’ salary in the construction industry and analyzes the relationship between salaries and specific variables. Although prior research indicates a relationship does exist between certain variables and women’s salaries that research does not focus on the construction industry. This research sought to identify correlations between experience, age, marital status, motherhood, having children at home, and the number of children at home, and female project manager’s salaries in the construction industry. To our knowledge, this study represents the only research of its kind specific to women project managers in the U.S. construction industry. Utilizing a snowball sampling method, 206 survey responses were collected and analyzed through comprehensive descriptive and statistical analyses. A regression model was constructed to determine the predictive power of the variables studied. Fifty percent of the variability in female project manager’s salary can be accounted for by the model produced. The study’s sample showed that, being married and having children at home are negatively correlated with female project managers’ salaries. As would be expected, age and experience are also correlated and the correlation is strongly positive.
Herd-health Environments Research & Design Journal | 2017
Thais da C. L. Alves; Will Lichtig; Zofia K. Rybkowski
An alternative to the traditional way of designing projects is the process of target value design (TVD), which takes different departure points to start the design process. The TVD process starts with the client defining an allowable cost that needs to be met by the design and construction teams. An expected cost in the TVD process is defined through multiple interactions between multiple stakeholders who define wishes and others who define ways of achieving these wishes. Finally, a target cost is defined based on the expected profit the design and construction teams are expecting to make. TVD follows a series of continuous improvement efforts aimed at reaching the desired goals for the project and its associated target value cost. The process takes advantage of rapid cycles of suggestions, analyses, and implementation that starts with the definition of value for the client. In the traditional design process, the goal is to identify user preferences and find solutions that meet the needs of the client’s expressed preferences. In the lean design process, the goal is to educate users about their values and advocate for a better facility over the long run; this way owners can help contractors and designers to identify better solutions. This article aims to inform the healthcare community about tools and techniques commonly used during the TVD process and how they can be used to educate and support project participants in developing better solutions to meet their needs now as well as in the future.
Herd-health Environments Research & Design Journal | 2012
Zofia K. Rybkowski; Mardelle McCuskey Shepley; H. Glenn Ballard
There is a need for greater understanding of the health impact of various design elements in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) as well as cost-benefit information to make informed decisions about the long-term value of design decisions. This is particularly evident when design teams are considering the transition from open-bay NICUs to single-family-room (SFR) units. This paper introduces the guiding principles behind target value design (TVD)—a price-led design methodology that is gaining acceptance in healthcare facility design within the Lean construction methodology. The paper also discusses the role that set-based design plays in TVD and its application to NICUs.
Facilities | 2017
Zofia K. Rybkowski; Mardelle McCuskey Shepley; John A. Bryant; Cynthia Skelhorn; Alex Amato; Saleh Kalantari
Purpose This paper aims to identify the current challenges and opportunities faced by the facility managers (FMs) in Doha, Qatar. Design/methodology/approach Researchers queried 40 FMs about their experience working in Qatar, using interviews and workshops. Findings Comments gathered followed general patterns. Participants expressed appreciation for their work, but also concern about cultural challenges they faced managing facilities in the region. In general, it was agreed that the low cost of water and energy in Qatar is one of the largest obstacles to conserving resources; however, current consumption is not sustainable. Research limitations/implications The sensitive nature of this study made strict demands on the research team to maintain participant anonymity during data collection and reporting. This sensitivity also limited the sample size; a larger sample size for future research would support greater generalizability. Social implications Qatar is taking steps to reduce its per capita carbon footprint and energy use, which is among the highest in the world. However, there appears to be a disconnect between Qatar’s expressed intentions and its actions with respect to facility management. To ensure that Qatar manages resources more efficiently, participants recommended that reduced energy use standards be adopted and legally mandated. This action would address many of the challenges, incentivize increased qualifications and training of FM professionals working in Qatar and encourage improvement of the long-term performance of buildings which are energy drains and heavy contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Originality/value Prior to this study, little has been published about current practices of facility management in Doha, Qatar, and the challenges and opportunities that FMs face in this region.
International Journal of Construction Education and Research | 2018
Jayakrishnan Sindhu; Kunhee Choi; Sarel Lavy; Zofia K. Rybkowski; Ben F. Bigelow; Wei Li
ABSTRACT Front-end planning (FEP) may be a key element in project success because it helps project participants more efficiently mitigate risk and define project objectives in the preplanning phase. However, very little is known about the effect of FEP for industrial project performance under different project delivery systems. To this end, this study investigated the impact of FEP on project performance by focusing on two widely used fast-track delivery methods: design-build (DB) and construction manager at risk (CMR), compared to the benchmarking conventional design-bid-build (DBB). The Spearman’s correlation analysis and Kruskal-Wallis test were performed on a real-world dataset, obtained from the Construction Industry Institute (CII), which comprised 438 industrial projects built between 1990 and 2010 in the US. The correlation analysis results revealed that better FEP resource allocation could help more design packages be completed efficiently and accurately to accelerate the fast-track process. The pair-wise comparison analysis results confirmed that there is no significant evidence to examine particular difference of schedule performance between CMR and DB. On the other hand, the results highlighted that project cost performance under DB were better than CMR. The results and findings of this study will help decision-makers choose appropriate project delivery methods for given project priorities.
26th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction | 2018
Lincoln H. Forbes; Zofia K. Rybkowski; Cynthia C.Y. Tsao
The benefits of lean projects such as reduced schedules and budgets are well documented; construction organizations accomplish lean project delivery through the practices of project teams, yet the backgrounds of many participants have relatively little involvement with lean methodology due to its relative newness. Many participants in the lean movement such as members of the Lean Construction Institute (LCI) attribute project success to the training that is typically conducted to create an awareness and capability among participants and align the team with the priorities of the project. A study of leading firms was undertaken to examine this linkage by reviewing how training is provided for project teams, including the work force. A cross-section of established construction firms, design firms, and consultants were surveyed to determine the best practices that are currently in use. These organizations are all members of LCI or the Associated General Contractors (AGC). Many important lessons were learned, including: the successful approaches taken by AGC to provide industry training; the best practices of the companies surveyed; and future opportunities for improvement in lean training at the industry level. Notably, some of the approaches used in academia such as simulations, were used, but some companies were developing their own training, emphasizing leadership over tools.
26th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction | 2018
Zofia K. Rybkowski; Lincoln H. Forbes; Cynthia C.Y. Tsao
Effectively transferring lean knowledge and skills to owners, architects, engineers, and constructors (OAEC) requires behavioral changes within an industry that has been legitimately criticized for entrenched practices and low productivity. Documenting how successful that knowledge transfer is taking place can be helpful to those wishing to efficiently introduce lean into their own OAEC organizations. Lean educational efforts within academic settings have been brought to light through earlier publications. This research identifies the content of lean construction courses from five US-based universities to add to the seven previously documented. Tabulated results revealed that: (a) the content of lean curricula is evolving as grading formats, types of readings, and numbers and types of simulations have grown; and (b) lean curricula as defined by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) lean certification program is starting to permeate academic coursework. This may be a testament that AGC lean certification is providing some advantage in career placement for students. Investigation of the evolution of lean education within academia helps us better understand a driver of change as students enter the OAEC industry following graduation. The intent of this paper is to document this moment in time, as well as to raise a question about the potential impact of curriculum standardization on future continuous improvement initiatives with respect to lean construction philosophy, methods, and tools, in the OAEC industry.
Herd-health Environments Research & Design Journal | 2017
Upali Nanda; Zofia K. Rybkowski; Sipra Pati; Adeleh Nejati
Objective: To investigate what key stakeholders consider to be the advantages and the opportunities for improvement in using lean thinking and tools in the integrated project delivery (IPD) process. Method: A detailed literature review was followed by case study of a Lean-IPD project. Interviews with members of the project leadership team, focus groups with the integrated team as well as the design team, and an online survey of all stakeholders were conducted. Analysis: Statistical analysis and thematic content analysis were used to analyze the data, followed by a plus–delta analysis. Results: (1) Learning is a large, implicit benefit of Lean-IPD that is not currently captured by any success metric; (2) the cardboard mock-up was the most successful lean strategy; (3) although a collaborative project, the level of influence of different stakeholder groups was perceived to be different by different stakeholders; (4) overall, Lean-IPD was rated as better than traditional design–bid–build methods; and (5) opportunities for improvement reported were increase in accurate cost estimating, more efficient use of time, perception of imbalance of control/influence, and need for facilitation (which represents different points of view). Conclusion: While lean tools and an IPD method are preferred to traditional design–bid–build methods, the perception of different stakeholders varies and more work needs to be done to allow a truly shared decision-making model. Learning was identified as one of the biggest advantages.
Facilities | 2017
Saleh Kalantari; Mardelle McCuskey Shepley; Zofia K. Rybkowski; John A. Bryant
Purpose The aim of this study is to focus on the perspectives of facility managers in each region and the different challenges impacting collaboration in each geographical context. This research analyzed obstacles to collaboration between facility managers and architectural designers in three international regions. Design/methodology/approach A multi-method approach was used, allowing the researchers to triangulate data from in-depth interviews and a widely distributed survey instrument. The participants included a large cross-selection of facility management professionals in each of the regions under study. The interview data were parsed to identify recurring themes, while the survey data were analyzed statistically to test specific hypotheses. Findings Significant differences were found in the culture of the facility management profession in each region. These differences created unique challenges for collaboration, especially in the context of a non-local design team. While the facility management profession was perceived as most established and professional in the UK, rates of collaboration between facility managers and designers were actually much higher in the USA. Collaborations between facility managers and designers were almost non-existent in the Middle East. Originality/value While the importance of collaboration between facility managers and designers is increasingly recognized for improving the efficiency of building operations, crucial obstacles continue to limit the scope of this engagement. There has been limited previous research analyzing obstacles to collaboration that are specific to international contexts and non-local design teams. This study helps to fill an important gap in the literature by providing a comparative analysis of collaboration challenges in three international contexts.