Quantifying the causes and costs of rework in construction

Very few construction companies and consulting firms in Australia measure their costs of quality. Consequently, it is difficult for them to prove that systems for preventing quality failures are cost-effective. Although the direct costs of a quality system can be quantified with some accuracy (salaries, costs of documentation, audits, etc.), the corresponding benefits are far more difficult to assess. Indeed quality failures have become an endemic feature of the procurement process in construction and invariably lead to time and cost overruns in projects. Thus, in order to improve the performance of projects it is necessary to identify the causes and costs rework. The research presented in this paper quantifies the causes, magnitude and costs of rework experienced in two construction projects that were procured using different contractual arrangements. The causes and costs of rework projects are analysed and discussed. The findings reveal that the cost of rework for the case study projects was 3.15% and 2.40% of their project contract value. Changes initiated by the client and end-user together with errors and omissions in contract documentation were found to be the primary causes of rework. It is recommended that construction companies and consultant firms (particularly design consultants) implement quality management practices as well as place emphasis on coordinating project documentation during the design development process so that the amount of rework in projects can be reduced or even eliminated.     

Construction project change management in Singapore: Status,importance and impact

Changes in construction projects are inevitable. In order to minimize the impact of changes on a project, it is imperative to implement change management. This study aims to assess the status, importance and impact of change management implementation in the Singapore construction industry. To achieve the objective, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of change management, and a questionnaire survey was conducted. Analyzing the data collected from 384 projects submitted by 32 companies, the implementation status was investigated at both company and project levels, followed by identification of key factors that encourage and discourage companies to practice change management. Furthermore, the importance and impact of change management in terms of project performances such as cost, time, and quality were also examined. The analysis results establish that the implementation status in the Singapore construction industry is relatively low while improvement in project cost, time and quality performances achieved by the companies that implement change management tends to be greater than the companies that do not. Recognizing the implementation status, importance and impacts of change management will be a starting point to reduce changes that negatively affect project performances, ultimately allowing the Singapore construction industry to increase opportunities for project success.     

Improving the materials supply system in small-sized building firms

This paper presents a research study aimed at developing a method for improving the materials supply system in small-sized building firms using total quality management (TQM) principles. The study involved three companies from the Brazilian building industry, which worked cooperatively through several stages of TQM implementation. The proposed method is based on simple well-known quality techniques for problem identification, analysis and solving, such as flowchart, brainstorming, checklist and Pareto diagram. The paper points out some of the difficulties in applying such techniques and principles in small-sized building firms and discusses some typical problems found in materials supply systems of such companies in Brazil.     

浅谈质量管理体系在建筑给排水设计中的应用

建筑给排水设计中,工作岗位任务划分,设计过程中的质量、进度管理,设计成本控制、设计文件的记录及归档,绩效考核及工作总结管理构成了质量管理体系框架,应用质量管理体系可以保证设计质量,提高工作效率,降低设计成本。     

Risk management in small construction projects in Singapore: Status,barriers and impact

Risk management (RM) should be implemented in construction projects to assure the achievement of project objectives, regardless of project size. This study aims to investigate RM in small projects in Singapore in terms of status, barriers and impact of RM on project performance. To achieve the objectives, a questionnaire survey was conducted and data were collected from 668 projects submitted by 34 companies. The analysis results indicated a relatively low level of RM implementation in small projects, and that “lack of time”, “lack of budget”, “low profit margin”, and “not economical” were prominent barriers. Also, the results reported the positive correlation between RM implementation and improvement in quality, cost and schedule performance of small projects, respectively. The findings of this study can provide an in-depth understanding of RM in small projects in Singapore and make benefits of RM convincing to the participants of small projects.     

Overcoming the problems associated with quality certification

Serendipitous findings are reported from an on-going research project that seeks to determine the effectiveness of quality assurance systems certified under the ISO 9000 series in Australian contracting organizations. In Australia, certification has become mandatory for all organizations wishing to do business with government agencies and major private companies. While certification was designed so that purchasers could have confidence in the quality of the vendor's product or service, not all organizations have been able to implement certification processes in a way that supports this original intent. Instead, most construction organizations have opted to go through the motions without an underlying sustainable continuous improvement philosophy. They simply wish to gain marketing benefits, while others have been overcome by the mass of paperwork required for achieving the quality ‘seal of approval’. This paper uses a case study to examine the experiences of a major building and engineering contractor threatened by the paperwork dilemma. However, by adopting a radical shift in the management of the certification programme the contractor was able to implement a quality system that reduced rework significantly and brought about marketing benefits. This case study is used to present a company's experiences in solving problems associated with the certification process, and offers a learning opportunity for other organizations facing similar difficulties.     

Management of small building works

This paper focuses on the management dimension of small building works. The paper presents a subset of findings from a major research study, supported by governmental and industry based sources, which investigated the efficiency and effectiveness of procurement methods, organizational systems and management approaches to small works and minor maintenance projects. The findings indicate that management for small works must be exerted at two levels. One is within the organization of the works themselves. The second is the development of a framework and organization which considers the implication of the works upon the organization's ongoing business. Effective small works management requires that an organization responds promptly to an identified situation, determines the cost of the work, ensures that the work is undertaken successfully, and gives value for money within the context of the organization's current business circumstance.     

The moderating effect of human resource management practices on the relationship between knowledge absorptive capacity and project performance in project-oriented companies

In response to recent calls for research on human resource management (HRM) in project management, this research investigates the links between HRM practices, the project team's knowledge absorptive capacity (ACAP) and project performance in project-oriented companies (POCs). Based on survey data from 198 projects in multinational companies (MNCs) in the Thai automotive industry, this research finds that HRM practices moderate the effects of a project team's knowledge ACAP on project performance, in particular of potential ACAP on long-run project performance. In addition, HRM practices covary with a project team's realized ACAP, the other dimension of ACAP, to affect short-run project performance. This research sheds light on the different roles that HRM practices play in a project, finding that HRM practices not only facilitate knowledge management from the current project to future projects but also strengthen the relationship between a project team's knowledge ACAP and long-term project performance. This research contributes to the understanding of HRM in the literature of project management.     

A secure and distributed message oriented middleware for smart building applications

In the era of the Internet of Things (IoT) and heterogeneous Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems, monolithic and proprietary Smart Building (SB) systems are unable to address the challenges of scalability, adaptability, and security. Improved integration and interoperability of the existing and future technologies are essential for overcoming the barriers of SB adoption. This paper proposes a real-time, brokerless, and message-oriented middleware (MoM) system for interfacing and interconnecting the digital and physical assets of the SB. It provides a holistic abstraction to the building management system (BMS) of the underlying device protocols and building construction properties, simplifying the design and reducing the overall system cost. Its distributed architecture scales to any building construction regardless of the devices' performance and connectivity limitations. A secure architecture ensures the integrity of data and operations, and an extensive performance and energy efficiency study validates the proposed design. While MoM systems have been traditionally used in cloud computing, it is the first time that such approach, based on building-distributed embedded electronics and the efficient ZeroMQ messaging library, is successfully validated for a cyber-physical system like the SB.     

Assessing the influence of exogenous and quality of service variables on water companies´ performance using a true-fixed stochastic frontier approach

ABSTRACT

Improving the cost efficiency and quality of service across time corresponds to two important targets for regulated water companies. Following a pioneering approach, we have evaluated the influence of a set of exogenous and quality of service variables on the English and Welsh water companies’ costs over the period of 1996–2009. A true-fixed effects stochastic cost frontier model was applied since it also allowed computing of the productivity change of the water companies and their drivers. Results have shown that quality of service has an influence on water companies´ costs. This issue is very relevant for bursts in water mains since investments in reducing them will lead to a reduction in the water supply interruptions and water losses. Results of this study illustrate the importance of developing long-term planning investment programmes in the water industry.     

Practices,barriers and benefits of risk management process in building services costs estimation: comment

This note is a comment on Mok, C.K., Rao Tummala, V.M. and Leung, H.M. (1997) Practices, barriers and benefits of risk management process in building services cost estimation, Construction Management and Economics, 15 (2), 161–75, which describes research into the risk perceptions and risk management practices of building services engineers in Hong Kong. The note questions statements made in the paper and parts of the research design and data analyses.     

基于DEMATEL的装配式建筑成本影响因素分析

随着装配式建筑的广泛推广,其高居不下的建造成本已成为阻碍其推广的主要因素之一。为了掌握装配式建筑项目成本发展的变化规律,结合国内装配式建筑市场的现状以及我国装配式建筑成本的具体情况,从建造流程出发构建其成本的分析方法,从外部建设环境特征、项目自身技术特征、项目人员的组织管理三大方面分类归纳影响装配式建筑成本的主要因素,运用 DEMATEL 法得出各影响因素重要性水平以及互相之间的因果关系,依据数学模型推算结果,提出降低装配式建筑成本的措施与建议,进而促进其推广。     

The cost of non-conformance during a highway project: a case study

Poor quality resulting from non-conformance during construction leads to extra cost and time to all members of the project team. The costs of rectifying non-conformance can be high and they can affect a firm's profit margin and its competitiveness. Construction-related firms can identify non-conformance information by employing a quality cost matrix as illustrated in a case study as a basis for improvement. Findings indicate the applicability of the matrix, the usefulness of the information for quality improvement and the positive change in attitude of personnel involved in the case study. Areas and frequency of non-conformance and the viability and importance of preventive measures are also ighlighted.     

Application of an aerial catchment monitoring methodology to assist the development of drinking water safety plans

Risk-based management approaches for safeguarding the quality of public water supply, as strongly endorsed by the World Health Organisation and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, place greater emphasis on the importance of water companies knowing their catchments and their associated risks. Because of their often vast extent, and problems relating to access, it has always been a challenge for water companies to gather reliable data relating to catchment landuse and to monitor catchment activities. This paper presents a methodology that was used successfully within Cambridge Water to gain more knowledge about landuse within its catchments by chartering a helicopter and systematically photographing them. The method used is described, the results are shown and the strengths and the weaknesses of the approach are considered.     

Quality improvement in construction by using a Vandermonde interpolation technique

Cost and quality are considered as the two most important elements in all construction activities. However, the quality of products or services does not focus only on their ultimate delivery, but also on the quality of the whole business model. Prevention–appraisal–failure (PAF) modelling is the most commonly adopted methodology to assess the quality performance of the construction organization. However, it cannot successfully show the correlation between prevention, appraisal, and failure costs, hence, it is difficult to determine the optimal point among these costs. A case study is proposed in this paper by presenting activities of a hydro-seeding company. Quality management data of the company are also attached and analysed by using a Vandermonde interpolation technique. This new method clearly shows an optimal point of the total cost which is a summation of prevention, appraisal and failure costs. Comparisons with the PAF modelling of the data are made. Data interpolation can also be used to thoroughly study the company’s performance in terms of investment and managing its resources.     

A process approach in measuring quality costs of construction projects: model development

One of the most effective tools for evaluating the success of a quality management programme is the measurement of quality costs (prevention, appraisal and failure costs). The application of the concept of quality costs originated in the manufacturing industry in the early 1950s. As increasing attention has been given to improving the overall quality in the construction process since the early 1980s, the application of total quality management (TQM) practices in the construction industry has gained much popularity. A systematic approach is needed for measuring quality costs, especially in the construction industry, due to the great number and complexity of activities involved in a typical project. This paper describes how a simple methodology can be used to capture quality costs in construction projects. Pre-existing models for capturing construction quality costs, by Davis, by Abdul-Rahman, by Low and Yeo and by others, recognize quality cost components but do not address the causes or sources of unwanted deviations. This paper proposes an alternative approach, based on the process cost model and in conformance with BS6143 (1992), which is thought to better facilitate the fundamental goal of TQM, i.e. continual process improvement. A number of professionals involved in construction quality management were interviewed and responded favourably to the practicality of the proposed framework in the construction context.     

浅谈控制建设工程造价

结合工作经验,从加强投资决策阶段管理、完善投资管理机制、提高设计质量、严格承发包合同管理、加强招投标管理、加强建设项目实施阶段管理等方面提出控制建设工程造价的方法,从而达到造价目标的实现。     

In favor or against: The influence of skeptical stakeholders in urban innovation projects for green transformation

Skeptical stakeholder involvement – collaborating with stakeholders who may harbor negative attitudes - is a complex, uncertain process that poses substantial challenges for innovation project management. Developing complex innovations like those in urban spaces requires engagement with knowledge, behavioral shifts, and resources from both public and private stakeholders. As a result, these stakeholders might oppose the project's objectives, thereby exerting a significant influence on the project. However, scant attention has been directed toward investigating the role of skeptical stakeholder involvement. The goal of this research is to address this research gap by examining the underexplored impact of skeptical stakeholder involvement on the project front end, thereby underscoring the importance of innovativeness and implementation intention as outcomes during these initial project stages. The study draws on a unique combination of text mining, text analysis, and survey data derived from 107 publicly funded urban innovation projects in Germany. These projects encompass diverse innovation types and technologies that may affect nearly all stakeholders within a given city district, thus making the context an ideal empirical terrain for investigation. The study's findings reveal that (i) skeptical stakeholder involvement positively influences innovativeness and implementation intention, and (ii) a robust reservoir of project management resources, coupled with moderate levels of formal management, facilitates the integration of skeptical stakeholders. The study advances current literature on project stakeholder management and project front-end dynamics by highlighting the positive influences of skeptical stakeholder involvement. Consequently, these outcomes contribute to the broader literature on sustainable urban transformation and enhance our understanding of stakeholder management mechanisms in the realm of urban innovation projects.     

既有建筑节能改造质量管理研究综述

既有建筑节能改造工程是低碳经济、可持续发展的必然要求。由于理论、实践经验不足,既有建筑节能改造工程质量风险偏大。从建筑工程质量政府监管、专业机构及社会监督、建筑主体质量保证三方面梳理了我国工程质量管理体制与实践历程;基于过程控制方法、知识库、管理理念、信息技术和质量评价等视角概括了我国工程质量管理理论研究现状。通过分析既有建筑节能改造工程质量形成的内在特征,以期寻求既有建筑节能改造质量管理研究方向,促进我国既有公共建筑节能改造健康发展。     

Employee perceptions of the solid waste management system operating in a large Australian contracting organization: implications for company policy implementation

A survey of employees' perceptions of a large contracting firm's waste management system was conducted. Results were factor analysed and an eight-factor model of the waste management climate was identified. Perceptions were found to differ between employee groupings. Managerial staff had a less positive perception of the waste management climate than did site workers. Qualitative interview data were analysed using a content analysis approach. Managers were found to perceive environmental issues as being less important than cost, time or quality objectives. Construction workers believed environmental issues to be of greater importance than these other objectives. Differences in perceptions of managers and site workers have implications for the implementation of any company waste management policy. There is a need to involve workers in identifying waste management solutions, to provide more information to all employees about practical aspects of waste management, and for managers visibly to demonstrate commitment to waste management policy objectives.