Performance Improvement of Concrete Pouring Process Based Resource Utilization Using Taguchi Method and Computer Simulation

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Mojib Zahraee ◽  
Ghasem Rezaei ◽  
Ataollah Shahpanah ◽  
Ali Chegeni ◽  
Jafri Mohd Rohani
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Taguchi Method ◽  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Construction Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Total Project

One of the most controversial issues in construction management is performance measurement. Construction managers are always involved in evaluation of resource changes which effect process performance. Due to limitations and also cost of resources, resource allocation has become a complex task in construction projects. To evaluate the effects of different resources on total project performance, managers strive to allocate limited resources by determining resource combinations. This paper aims at conducting Taguchi method along with computer simulation to determine the optimum combination of resources for a real world case study involving a concrete pouring operation in order to reduce cycle time and process costs. The proposed simulation model was conducted under Arena 13.9. Final result shows that the optimum resource combination will be achieved when all of resources are located in the low level. This means that number of trucks, spreader crew, vibrator crew and finisher crew should be equal to 3, 1, 1, and 1 respectively to improve the total performance.

Characterization of Manufacturing System Computer Simulation using Taguchi Method

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Mojib Zahraee ◽  
Ali Chegeni ◽  
Jafri Mohd Rohani
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Taguchi Method ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Inspection Time ◽  
Total Output ◽  
Service Rate ◽  
Manufacturing Line

In the manufacturing industry, managers and engineers are trying to sustain their competitiveness by achieving high output and productivity. There are some common problems such as waiting times, failures, reworks in production line that impose extra cost to the companies. Therefore, companies are striving to find methods in order to determine and deal with problems using different methods such as mathematical, statistical and computer simulation. The goal of this paper is to increase the total output production and to improve productivity using computer simulation and Taguchi method. This paper introduces a color manufacturing line as a case study which is simulated using arena 13.9 software. Following that the Taguchi method is applied to assess the effect of controllable and uncontrollable factors on the total output production. According to the result of JMP 10 software to conduct Taguchi experiment, the maximum desirability of productivity will be achieved when the value of factors such service rate of delpak machine=UNIF (30, 40), number of labor=14, inspection time=120 and number of Permil=5. Taguchi Method plays an efficient and suitable role in the process improvement, proposing adjustments that will provide an improvement in the productivity. 

Simulation of Manufacturing Production Line Based on Arena

2014 ◽  
Vol 933 ◽  
pp. 744-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Mojib Zahraee ◽  
Saeed Rahimpour Golroudbary ◽  
Ahmad Hashemi ◽  
Jafar Afshar ◽  
Mohammadreza Haghighi
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Simulation Model ◽  
Production Line ◽  
Manufacturing Systems ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Manufacturing Line

One of the controversial issues in manufacturing systems is bottleneck. Managers and engineers are trying to find methods to eliminate the bottlenecks and waiting times in the production line. More over the manufacturing companies are striving to sustain their competiveness by decreasing the bottlenecks, total cost and increasing the productivity. The objective of this study is applying the computer simulation to analysis the production line bottlenecks. To achieve this goal a color manufacturing line was selected as a case study and the basic application of arena 13.9 software. Finally the some modifications in the simulation model are proposed to improve the production line as well as to decrease the bottleneck.

Fast-tracking of construction projects: a case study

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Fazio ◽  
O. Moselhi ◽  
P. Théberge ◽  
S. Revay
Keyword(s):  
Construction Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Fast Track ◽  
Project Delivery ◽  
Design Management ◽  
Fast Tracking ◽  
Design Activities ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
The Impact

The growing use of professional construction management has been synonymous with the development of new project delivery systems such as the phased construction approach and the fast-tracking technique. This paper establishes the distinction between these two types of approach which have become increasingly popular for reducing project duration. The paper further illustrates, through a case study, the possible consequences of compressing and overlapping design activities in a fast-track program to expedite project delivery. A delay analysis shows the impact of this accelerated technique on construction activities. The far-reaching effect of mistakes during the early design/engineering phase in a fast-track program is usually underrated. Accelerating a project through fast-tracking is a major decision, and construction professionals often are not aware of its implications. Based on the case study examined in this paper and other fast-track constructions previously analyzed, trouble areas requiring special attention have been depicted and recommendations with regard to the effective use of this technique are presented. It has also been shown that if intensified effort on problem areas is lacking, such a popular accelerated technique could result in unexpected delays. Key words: fast-tracking, phased construction, professional construction management, design management.

scholarly journals Exploring Project Complexity Relations to Scope Changes in Construction Projects: A Case Study of NEC Projects in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Themba Lukhele ◽  
Brink Botha ◽  
Sijekula Mbanga
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Initiation Phase ◽  
Execution Phase ◽  
Planning Approach ◽  
Project Complexity ◽  
Multiple Case

Construction projects are of very complex nature, and subject to circumstances of high uncertainties and risks due to the interdependences of activities and processes in the project performance.  As a result of the dynamic complexities inherited in construction projects, changes in the scope of work are inevitable. Of particular concern is that, when scope changes are introduced in a project, contractors follow a systematic procedure in managing the changes, but with poor planning and implementation thereof because the project complexities that underpin the scope changes are not fully understood. Therefore, despite that complexity is an inherent and defining feature of construction projects, studies in the literature have failed to grasp and present the dynamics of project complexity which underlie the scope changes in the delivery of construction project. The TOE (Technical Organizational Environmental) framework was adopted and applied on a multiple-case study research design in order to explore and denote project complexity relations to scope changes in construction projects. Through a content analysis procedure, six key elements of project complexities that relate to scope changes in the construction projects has emerged. Understanding these complexity elements could enable the project management team to apply a front-end planning approach in the initiation phase of the projects in order to better manage scope changes in the execution phase of the project, and eventually to improve the project performance.

scholarly journals The Influence of Risk Management on Construction Project Performance: A Case Study.

2018 ◽  
pp. 936-942
Author(s):  
Mazurina Mohd Ali ◽  
Sakinah Zahra Norman ◽  
Erlane K. Ghani ◽  
Noor Hasniza Haron
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Time Cost ◽  
Schedule Delay

Risk Management is recognized as an important exercise that creates value to a project and improves project performance. Time, cost and quality are the primary measures of a project performance in this industry. The success or failure in any construction project can be monitored through the attainment of these primary measures. Notably, Malaysian construction industry is considered as one of the important industries that positively contribute to the increase of Gross Domestic Product and subsequently the growth of the country’s economic development. Unfortunately, this industry suffers poor performance in which it leads to failure in accomplishing effective time, cost and quality performance. Most construction projects face a schedule delay, cost overrun and are poor in product quality. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the influence of risk management on construction project performance of Malaysian companies based on these three primary measures. The degree of diffusion of risk management practice in the chosen construction project in Malaysia is also examined. The methodological approach exploited in this study is a case study approach involving analysis of documented data and face-to-face interviews with key players that hold different roles and responsibilities. They include a director, project managers, finance managers, contract managers and quantity surveyor managers. The results demonstrate that adopting effective risk management practices positively impacts project performance thus leading to project success. Nevertheless, the lack of knowledge and poor communication of risk management practices in construction projects contribute to the weak implementation of an effective and systematic risk management practices in Malaysia.

scholarly journals The Relation between Pre-planning, Commissioning and Enhanced Project Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesper Kranker Larsen ◽  
Søren Munch Lindhard ◽  
Thomas Ditlev Brunoe ◽  
Kim Noergaard Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Quality Performance ◽  
Construction Period ◽  
Project Complexity ◽  
Funded Project ◽  
Deadline Pressure

Pre-planning of construction projects is important for the performance of cost, time, and quality. However, recent research finds that quality related to final testing, adjustment, and balancing of HVAC systems are often overlooked due to deadline pressure. Consequently, this results in poor energy performance and dissatisfied end-users. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between pre-planning, commissioning, and project performance. A publicly funded project with a compressed construction period was followed as a case study. During the case study, passive observation, semi-constructed interviews, and questionnaires were applied. This study showed that by implementing commissioning, project pre-planning and organizational support is increased. Moreover, the commissioning process creates awareness and fosters proactivity between the project participants, thus complications are discovered and handled earlier. By improved pre-planning and organizational support, and increasing proactivity, the project’s cost, time and quality performance is improved. This underlines the importance of prioritizing pre-planning. Moreover, increased energy and technical demands increase project complexity which makes project success even more dependent on the quality of the plans.

scholarly journals The Influence of Risk Management on Construction Project Performance: A Case Study

2019 ◽  
pp. 69-75
Author(s):  
Mazurina Mohd Ali ◽  
Sakinah Zahra Norman ◽  
Erlane K. Ghani ◽  
Noor Hasniza Haron
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Time Cost ◽  
Schedule Delay

Risk Management is recognized as an important exercise that creates value to a project and improves project performance. Time, cost and quality are the primary measures of a project performance in this industry. The success or failure in any construction project can be monitored through the attainment of these primary measures. Notably, Malaysian construction industry is considered as one of the important industries that positively contribute to the increase of Gross Domestic Product and subsequently the growth of the country’s economic development. Unfortunately, this industry suffers poor performance in which it leads to failure in accomplishing effective time, cost and quality performance. Most construction projects face a schedule delay, cost overrun and are poor in product quality. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the influence of risk management on construction project performance of Malaysian companies based on these three primary measures. The degree of diffusion of risk management practice in the chosen construction project in Malaysia is also examined. The methodological approach exploited in this study is a case study approach involving analysis of documented data and face-to-face interviews with key players that hold different roles and responsibilities. They include a director, project managers, finance managers, contract managers and quantity surveyor managers. The results demonstrate that adopting effective risk management practices positively impacts project performance thus leading to project success. Nevertheless, the lack of knowledge and poor communication of risk management practices in construction projects contribute to the weak implementation of an effective and systematic risk management practices in Malaysia.

PREDICTING COST CONTINGENCY FOR PRIVATE PROJECTS: CASE STUDY IN VIETNAM

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
NGUYEN TUAN KIET ◽  
SOO-YONG KIM ◽  
VAN TRUONG LUU ◽  
LE VAN HUNG ◽  
LE HUU DAT
Keyword(s):  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Performance Information ◽  
Quality Cost ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Forecasting Method ◽  
The Cost

Actual cost in construction projects has tended to exceed the project budgets. Thus, cost contingency from the initial of the project is the significant budget to complete project activities. Cost contingency is an important element of  cost estimation to protect project stakeholders such as owners, contractors, and architects from the risks of the project. This paper reviewed the previous studies to find the factors affecting cost contingency and proposed a regression model to predict the cost contingency for private projects in Vietnam. Through industry survey, project performance information from a total of 48 private projects in Vietnam was gathered. The research also compared with other studies to have an overview about cost contingency predicting methods. The key benefit of this research is that the project managers can use this model as another forecasting method to get a better quality cost management. The further research can be focused on developing the model for other project types in Vietnam.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF DESIGN CHANGES IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Nurul Huda Muhamad ◽  
Mohammad Fadhil Mohammad
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Conference Proceedings ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Cost Performance ◽  
Cost Overruns ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Design Changes

Design changes in construction projects are always going to happen and cannot be avoided. Design changes are the primary contributor to disruption of time and cost performance of construction projects. Previous research in this domain lacks of detail studies on systematic review on the existing literature. This paper reviewed literature published in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings in the construction management field and had emailed several questions to the expert in construction industry. The objectives were to recognize the causes and impacts of design changes on project performance and to provide insights for future studies in Malaysian context. The findings indicate that design changes originate mainly from the owner side are identified as important causing factors to time overruns and cost overruns. This paper proposes framework for the management of design changes in construction projects.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document