Scope Reductions as Tool for Cost Control in Construction Projects

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Nils O. E. Olsson
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Cost Control ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Scope Management ◽  
High Degree

Scope management is a key issue in construction projects. This paper studies scope reductions. Potential reductions of project scope as well as budget contingencies have been a tool for cost control of governmental investments in Norway since 2001. This paper studies implementation of such reduction in major construction projects in different governmental sectors. Project representatives were contacted to obtain information about actual use of pre-defined potential scope reductions. Eight of the 14 studied projects did not implement any of the predefined reductions. Six projects implemented some of the reductions. These reductions were mainly general reductions of the quality of the facilities. The Norwegian reduction lists are based on an unusually high degree of specification of potential actions for cost control. International best practice is more concerned with general approaches. To function as intended, possible reductions should be possible to implement late in a project. General contingencies appear to be more effective for cost control than predefined scope reductions.

Scope Reductions as Tool for Cost Control in Construction Projects

2016 ◽  
pp. 733-748
Author(s):  
Nils O. E. Olsson
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Cost Control ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Scope Management ◽  
High Degree

Scope management is a key issue in construction projects. This paper studies scope reductions. Potential reductions of project scope as well as budget contingencies have been a tool for cost control of governmental investments in Norway since 2001. This paper studies implementation of such reduction in major construction projects in different governmental sectors. Project representatives were contacted to obtain information about actual use of pre-defined potential scope reductions. Eight of the 14 studied projects did not implement any of the predefined reductions. Six projects implemented some of the reductions. These reductions were mainly general reductions of the quality of the facilities. The Norwegian reduction lists are based on an unusually high degree of specification of potential actions for cost control. International best practice is more concerned with general approaches. To function as intended, possible reductions should be possible to implement late in a project. General contingencies appear to be more effective for cost control than predefined scope reductions.

Practical Use and Effects of Scope Reductions in the Form of Reduction Lists

2018 ◽  
pp. 326-344
Author(s):  
Andreas Økland ◽  
Nils O. E. Olsson
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Public Projects ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Scope Management ◽  
Public Construction ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Assurance Scheme ◽  
Quality Assurance Scheme

Scope management in the form of reduction lists was integrated in the quality assurance scheme for Norwegian public projects in 2001. This article presents findings on the actual use of reduction lists for major public construction projects Project representatives were contacted to obtain information about the actual use of pre-defined potential scope reductions. Eight of the 14 studied projects did not implement any of the predefined reductions. Six projects implemented some of the reductions. The scope reductions on the reduction lists are very specific and detailed, unlike general theory on scope management and cost control. However, the findings from the study are in line with the general theory; it was the most general scope and cost reductions that where used in practice. The study subsequently looked into the relationship between scope reductions and sustainability. Although the most frequently observed reduction was of the category “reduced quality or functionality”, sustainability was rarely affected with the notable exception of the railway infrastructure projects.

scholarly journals Reduction lists as tool for cost control in public building projects

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils O.E. Olsson
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Cost Control ◽  
Value Engineering ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Public Building ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the use of potential scope reductions in major construction projects for special-purpose buildings. Scope reductions may result in buildings that are less fit for purpose; this will be negative according to a facilities management perspective. The paper discuses to what extent this is the case. Potential reductions of project scope have been a tool for cost control of governmental investments in Norway since 2001. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on lists of possible reductions that were identified in the early phase of the projects. Information about the outcome of these possible reductions is collected from eleven public building projects. Findings – In the studied projects, reduction lists were equivalent to 2.7 per cent of projects budgets, ranging from 0 to 9 per cent. Contingencies for these projects were 9.5 per cent on average, ranging from 5 to 13 per cent. The reduction lists were typically smaller than the contingencies’ lists. Seven of 11 studied projects had reduction lists established during the front-end phase. Only two projects implemented some of the reductions. These reductions were general reductions of the quality of spaces. Research limitations/implications – Empirical research results are based on Norwegian experiences. Results are compared to international practices. Future research can include comparisons between facilities projects and other types of investments. Practical implications – The Norwegian reduction lists can be seen as a type of value engineering. The studied potential reductions are based on an unusually high degree of specification of the potential actions for cost control. International best practice is more concerned with general approaches. The practice of identifying specific potential reductions has little use as an active tool for controlling costs. General reduction options work better than specific reductions. The potential scope reductions do not appear to be a threat in a facilities management perspective. Originality/value – This is the first study of how potential reductions have been used in public building projects. The findings are of interest related to cost control of major investments in facilities.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Gastroenterologist's Perspective

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-99
Author(s):  
Michael F. Vaezi
Keyword(s):  
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ◽  
Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽  
Reflux Disease ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Swallowing Function ◽  
Atypical Symptoms

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a commonly diagnosed condition often associated with the typical symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation, although it may present with atypical symptoms such as chest pain, hoarseness, chronic cough, and asthma. In most cases, the patient's reduced quality of life drives clinical care and diagnostic testing. Because of its widespread impact on voice and swallowing function as well as its social implications, it is important that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) understand the nature of GERD and its consequences. The purpose of this article is to summarize the nature of GERD and GERD-related complications such as GERD-related peptic stricture, Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma, and laryngeal manifestations of GERD from a gastroenterologist's perspective. It is critical that SLPs who work with a multidisciplinary team understand terminology, diagnostic tools, and treatment to ensure best practice.

Агрономическая эффективность промышленной (голландской) технологии возделывания картофеля

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Coy ◽  
A.V. Shuravilin ◽  
O.A. Zakharova
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Correlation And Regression Analysis ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Quality Of Products ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Impact

Приведены результаты исследований по изучению влияния промышленной технологии возделывания картофеля на развитие, урожайность и качество продукции. Выявлена положительная реакция растений на подкормку K2SO4 в период посадки. Корреляционно-регрессионный анализ урожайности и качества клубней выявил высокую степень достоверности результатов опыта. Содержание нитратов и тяжелых металлов в клубнях было ниже допустимых величин.The results of studies on the impact of industrial technology of potato cultivation on growth, yield and quality of products. There was a positive response of plants to fertilizer K2SO4 in the period of planting. Correlation and regression analysis of yield and quality of tubers revealed a high degree of reliability of the results of experience. The contents of nitrates and heavy metals in tubers was below the permissible values.

KAJIAN LITERATUR MODEL KONSEPTUAL KEBERHASILAN E-GOVERNMENT

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadus Gunawan Sudarsono ◽  
Sri Poedji Lestari
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
Digital Government ◽  
Management Ethics ◽  
The Government

The use of internet technology in the government environment is known as electronic government or e-government. In simple terms, e-government or digital government is an activity carried out by the government by using information technology support in providing services to the community. In line with the spirit of bureaucratic reform in Indonesia, e-government has a role in improving the quality of public services and helping the process of delivering information more effectively to the public. Over time, the application of e-Government has turned out to have mixed results. In developed countries, the application of e-Government systems in the scope of government has produced various benefits ranging from the efficiency of administrative processes and various innovations in the field of public services. But on the contrary in the case of developing countries including Indonesia, the results are more alarming where many government institutions face obstacles and even fail to achieve significant improvements in the quality of public services despite having adequate information and communication technology. The paradigm of bureaucrats who wrongly considers that the success of e-Government is mainly determined by technology. Even though there are many factors outside of technology that are more dominant as causes of failure such as organizational management, ethics and work culture. This study aims to develop a model of success in the application of e-Government from several best practice models in the field of information technology that have been widely used so far using literature studies as research methods. The results of the study show that the conceptual model of the success of the implementation of e-Government developed consists of 17 determinants of success..Keywords: Model, Factor, Success, System, e-Government

Current Progress in Biomedical Applications of Chitosan-Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 1619-1632
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Pieklarz ◽  
Michał Tylman ◽  
Zofia Modrzejewska
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotube ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Polymer Materials ◽  
Biological Macromolecules ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
New Generation ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Dressing Materials

The currently observed development of medical science results from the constant search for innovative solutions to improve the health and quality of life of patients. Particular attention is focused on the design of a new generation of materials with a high degree of biocompatibility and tolerance towards the immune system. In addition, apart from biotolerance, it is important to ensure appropriate mechanical and technological properties of materials intended for intra-body applications. Knowledge of the above parameters becomes the basis for considerations related to the possibilities of choosing the appropriate polymer materials. The researchers' interest, as evidenced by the number of available publications, is attracted by nanobiocomposites based on chitosan and carbon nanotubes, which, due to their properties, enable integration with the tissues of the human body. Nanosystems can be used in many areas of medicine. They constitute an excellent base for use as dressing materials, as they exhibit antimicrobial properties. In addition, they can be carriers of drugs and biological macromolecules and can be used in gene therapy, tissue engineering, and construction of biosensors. For this reason, potential application areas of chitosan-carbon nanotube nanocomposites in medical sciences are presented in this publication, considering the characteristics of the system components.

Time and cost control in construction projects in southeast Mexico

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-422
Author(s):  
Rómel Gilberto Solís-Carcaño ◽  
◽  
Carmen Sarahí Morfín-García ◽  
Jesús Nicolás Zaragoza-Grifé ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Cost Control ◽  
Southeast Mexico

scholarly journals The Neural Basis of Vivid Memory Is Patterned on Perception

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1867-1883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley R. Buchsbaum ◽  
Sabrina Lemire-Rodger ◽  
Candice Fang ◽  
Hervé Abdi
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Sensory Perception ◽  
Direct Perception ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Short Video ◽  
Initial Perception ◽  
Experiential Quality ◽  
High Degree

When we have a rich and vivid memory for a past experience, it often feels like we are transported back in time to witness once again this event. Indeed, a perfect memory would exactly mimic the experiential quality of direct sensory perception. We used fMRI and multivoxel pattern analysis to map and quantify the similarity between patterns of activation evoked by direct perception of a diverse set of short video clips and the vivid remembering, with closed eyes, of these clips. We found that the patterns of distributed brain activation during vivid memory mimicked the patterns evoked during sensory perception. Using whole-brain patterns of activation evoked by perception of the videos, we were able to accurately classify brain patterns that were elicited when participants tried to vividly recall those same videos. A discriminant analysis of the activation patterns associated with each video revealed a high degree (explaining over 80% of the variance) of shared representational similarity between perception and memory. These results show that complex, multifeatured memory involves a partial reinstatement of the whole pattern of brain activity that is evoked during initial perception of the stimulus.

Different Types of Auricular Keloids and Treatment by Intralesional Cryosurgery: Best Practice for Obtaining Long-Lasting Clinical Results

Dermatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yaron Har-Shai ◽  
Lior Har-Shai ◽  
Viktor A. Zouboulis ◽  
Christos C. Zouboulis
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Recurrence Rate ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Psychosocial Impact ◽  
Aesthetic Outcome ◽  
The Past ◽  
Different Types

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Auricular keloids belong to the most perplexing medical conditions, which have significant psychosocial impact on the patient’s body image and quality of life. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> The article is purposed to provide dermatologists and plastic surgeons with the best proven practice using intralesional cryosurgery for the treatment of the different auricular keloid types in order to obtain superior clinical results by minimizing the probability of recurrence. In the past 20 years, the authors have developed novel procedures in order to increase the effectiveness of intralesional cryosurgery on auricular keloids, including hydrodissection, warm gauze technique, and excision of dangling skin. Long-lasting clinical results with a low recurrence rate and a satisfactory aesthetic outcome are achieved with no deformation of the ear framework.

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