Current status of factors leading to team performance of on-site construction professionals in Alberta building construction projects

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 679-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasun N. Hewage ◽  
Anupama Gannoruwa ◽  
Janaka Y. Ruwanpura
Keyword(s):  
Team Performance ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Extensive Study ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Skill Levels ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Field Workers ◽  
The University

A skill-measuring criterion or strategy can be used to optimize the scarce skilled labour force in the Canadian construction industry. The University of Calgary conducted an extensive study to assess the skill levels and team performance of field workers and managers in Alberta’s building construction projects. Over 150 workers and field managers were interviewed, surveyed with questionnaires and observed, to identify team efficiencies, skill levels, team spirit, and team perceptions of supervision. The average construction worker had over 15 years of field experience. Most of the workers were high school educated. More than 70% of the workers wanted to improve their career skills; however, internal and external opportunities were limited and (or) not promoted by the respective construction companies. A very few foremen had certified skills in administration, computer handling, planning, job management and work records. The research clearly noted the urgent need for training programs, for workers and field managers, to improve their present skill levels.

Application level of lean construction techniques in reducing accidents in construction projects

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-293
Author(s):  
Adnan Enshassi ◽  
Nour Saleh ◽  
Sherif Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Lean Construction ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Accident Investigation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the application of lean construction (LC) techniques in reducing accidents in construction projects. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach was used to collect the required data using a questionnaire survey and descriptive analysis was used to analyse the collected data. The LC techniques that were investigated in this paper are related to the tools of the last planner system (LPS), increased visualisation (IV), 5S, error-proofing, daily huddle meetings (DHMs), first-run studies (FRS), continuous improvement (Kaizen) and accident investigation (5Whys). Findings The overall results indicated that LC techniques are poorly implemented in construction projects in the Gaza Strip. The top three LC tools used to reduce the causes of accidents in the Gaza construction projects were 5Whys, 5S and LPS, while the highest three LC techniques applied to reduce the causes of accidents that were applicable were cleaning the workplace and removing materials and machines that are not required; conducting accident investigation and root cause analysis programmes; and using safety signs and labels on site. Research limitations/implications There is a lack of information and published studies regarding the links between LC and safety, especially in the Middle East. This paper is limited to the perceptions and geographical boundaries; therefore, it cannot be generalised. However, it could form the basis for useful comparison in the future. Triangulation research method could also be used in future research to minimise the bias and validate the conclusions. Practical implications The findings of this paper will stress professionals and construction companies in Gaza to reconsider their behaviour towards using LC techniques. The findings of this paper will aid them to shift their attention and resources towards including LC techniques in their plans to reduce the causes of accidents on construction sites. Social implications The findings of this paper will encourage professionals and construction companies in Gaza to reconsider their behaviour towards using LC techniques. The findings will also aid them to shift their attention and resources towards including LC techniques in their plans to reduce and/or avoid the causes of accidents on construction. Originality/value Because of the lack of published works that are specific to the Middle East, the authors believe that the originality lies in the paper’s serious attempt to explore the application level of the LC concept to safety in this part of the world. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the applicability of LC techniques in terms of accidents reduction. Findings from this paper provide a clear picture of the current status of using LC techniques to reduce accidents in the Gazan construction projects which drive them to investigate the main barriers and try to overcome them.

scholarly journals Impact of it growth on labour demand in the EU transport infrastructure development

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrius Montrimas ◽  
Vaidas Gaidelys
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Labour Demand ◽  
Investment Projects ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Construction Market ◽  
The Eu

Purpose – the purpose of this research is to find the benchmark, triggering a significant shift of the EU transport infrastructure construction sector from usual labour to the IT-based project implementation. The work aims to find obstacles that hold off IT from booming in this sector. Research methodology – following the literature overview, three bills of quantities of sample transport infrastructure construction projects selected as the objects for analysis and the mathematical-statistical method was applied to actually completed projects to find the benchmark for costs of respective IT development. Findings – the findings of this work suggest a 10% benchmark of project scope, applicable for IT innovations at the expense of human labour demand. Research limitations – EU financial support and public procurements of investment projects are mostly applicable for investment phase. This research is therefore limited to the analysis of investment activities. Practical implications – the industry stakeholders would welcome the IT if innovations developed with the budget not exceeding the benchmark. IT researchers and developers could use the results for cost adjustments of their offered solutions to the EU transport construction companies. Originality/Value – this work encourages discussions on initiation of the initiatives at the political level aiming to the requalification of the existing unemployed labour force in order to meet the current labour demand in the construction market as a whole. It provides a direction for future scientific researches and IT developers in order to increase the attractiveness of IT for application in construction projects.

Development of Safety Plan Based on Work Breakdown Structure to Determine Safety Costs for Building Construction Projects. Case Study: Lower Structure Building

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 934-945
Author(s):  
Steven Anderson T. M. Rajagukguk ◽  
Yusuf Latief
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Preventive Action ◽  
Safety Management System ◽  
Work Breakdown Structure ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Workplace Accidents ◽  
Lower Structure

The construction industry has an important role in the economic development of the country, especially developing countries. However, along with the increase in the construction sector, work accidents in the construction sector also increased. This accident has a negative impact on the project, such as loss of life, material, time, and others. The risk of workplace accidents can be prevented through a well-designed safety management system. The prevention of the workplace accidents can be done by identifying potential hazards that occur in each activity contained in the work breakdown structure (WBS). Identification of potential hazards is needed to be planned well so that the construction companies can take the best preventive action against any potential hazards that exist in each activity of the construction projects, so the safety performance can be improved. After the potential hazards have been identified, then the preventive actions are taken to control the hazards to minimize the safety risk rate. The implementation of safety programs requires costs. But there is no separate budget in this sector that make the implementation of the safety management is still not optimal. Thus, the financing of the safety management system was taken from the project budget, which led to a reduction in the profits of construction companies. This study aims to develop the cost of safety management system based on work breakdown structure on the building lower structure work. The results of this study are the standardized WBS of the lower structure of buildings, potential hazard sources in the lower structure of the building construction projects, the preventive action to each potential hazards in each activity, and finding the safety cost components based on work breakdown structure with the aim of improving the quality of the occupational health and safety management system and reducing work accidents in the building construction projects.

scholarly journals Lessons Learned, Barriers, and Improvement Factors for Mega Building Construction Projects in Developing Countries: Review Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 10678
Author(s):  
Yazan Issa Abu Aisheh
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Indirect Impacts ◽  
High Level

A mega-project is a major project or a group of projects of significant cost that attract a high level of public attention or political interest because of substantial direct and indirect impacts on the community, environment, and state budget. Capturing and sharing the knowledge from the performance of the current mega projects is essential in order to avoid losing vital corporate knowledge assets in the construction industry. The learned lessons are gained from experience, success, and failure for improving future performance. This research aims to review and read out the lessons learned from 77 research papers that have dealt with the barriers that hinder the successful performance of mega building construction projects in developing countries, identify and classify the main obstacles, and propose improvements for successful implementation and management of mega building construction projects. The results of this paper will help project owners, construction companies, and other stakeholders in developing countries to overcome the limitations in the execution of mega building construction projects.

IT usage in Alberta's building construction projects: Current status and challenges

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 940-947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasun N. Hewage ◽  
Janaka Y. Ruwanpura ◽  
George F. Jergeas
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Current Status ◽  
It Usage

scholarly journals State of play on the use of building construction standards in Congo-Brazzaville

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-73
Author(s):  
A.S. Ndongo ◽  
N. Malanda ◽  
B. Bahouayila
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Construction Control ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Overall Design ◽  
Engineering Consulting ◽  
Consulting Firms ◽  
Congo Brazzaville

This work aims to assess the existence and use of local standards in the field of building construction in Congo-Brazzaville. Surveys were carried out among construction companies, design offices and construction control firms operating in the construction industry. The results show that, overall, design offices, control or engineering consulting firms have more knowledge about the existence of construction standards, unlike construction companies. Indeed, it appears from this study that the probability of knowing of the existence of Congolese standards in construction control firms and construction companies is very low compared to engineering firms. The evidence provided by our sample also shows that structures involved in technical studies and real estate expertise are less aware of the existence of Congolese standards. Also, we note that the rate of knowledge about the existence of Congolese standards is more recorded at the level of structures that use foreign standards (16.90% against 9.09%), than those that do not use them. These structures also have knowledge of the effects (negative or positive) on the use of these foreign standards on construction (22.22% versus 3.57%) in Congo. Construction professionals must take into account certain technical specificities related to natural and social phenomena in the implementation of their construction projects in order to avoid early depreciation of the works carried out. Keywords: Standards, building construction, survey, use, statistical analysis.

BIM Technologies In Building Construction Projects Management In Russia

2019 ◽  
pp. 48-59
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Technology Implementation ◽  
Management System ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Project Management System

The international experience of integrating building information modeling (BIM) into project management system with innovation implementation accent has been revealed in this article. The events carried out on federal and regional levels concerning the President of Russia directive on building construction industry modernization and construction objects transferring to life cycle management by means of BIM were analyzed. The large company experience of implementing BIM was summarized with describing some examples in different cities and regions of our country and thus the main directions of this technology development were determined. The key points of BIM and project management system pairing and impacting an innovation choice witch determine the project economic efficiency in the integrated management system were shown. The main reports of "Building construction projects technology and management: new practices and prospects" conference by Moscow Trade and Commerce Chamber were reviewed in this direction and problems of the new investment and construction project management technology implementation were shown. The ways to solve these problems were disclosed by work examples of PAO "Sberbank", and successfully working in our country firms Bilfinger Tebodin - BIM design and Beiten Burkhard -jurisdiction support. Some economic efficiency questions of BIM implementation were disclosed in the report delivered by The Plekhanov University of Economics (project and program management base department of Capital Group). Management system suggestions, regarding BIM implementation in Moscow construction were given.

Development of Team Coordination and Performance Measures in a Trauma Setting

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 717-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Marshall ◽  
Anne Miller ◽  
Yan Xiao
Keyword(s):  
Team Performance ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Stage Model ◽  
Trauma Resuscitation ◽  
Team Coordination ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
University Of Maryland ◽  
Performance Metric ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The University

The paucity of reliable measures of team coordination and performance significantly obstructs the assessment of the effects of any technology on teams to improve decision making in health care. A pilot study was conducted to determine if measures of coordination and performance could be developed for teams involved in trauma resuscitation. A video assisted review of cases enabled evaluation of the use of the tools. Descriptors of coordination were derived from Klein's five-stage model of team coordination. A scoring system of team performance was developed from the University of Maryland Team Observable Performance Metric (UMTOP). After some modification both coordination and performance could be described. However, four defined stages of resuscitation were observed which greatly improved coding. More rigorous assessments of these tools will be required before firm conclusions can be drawn about the effects of a decision support tool recently introduced into the environment.

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