Summary: |
"The search for significant cost savings and quality improvements onconstruction projects is a routine activity and one where there is plenty of theory, but few results capable of being reproduced elsewhere. Onereason is that the organisational infrastructure of a project is not alwaysproperly understood and defined, meaning that novel ways of bringingabout such savings and improvements can be frustrated by invalid orerroneous assumptions. A case study of a large housing project, as part of a top level investigation by a government department, has shown how even domestic scale construction is not without problems in understanding the complexity of the process. The investigation is documented as a set of computer-based process models for the entire project, which have then been used to pinpoint failures in communication and information management. Of particular interest are the early, pre-design stages (briefing) and the supply chain covering the off-site design, fabrication and assembly of components. The findings show that large parts of the process are not adequately defined. The parties have difficulty in agreeing upon the amount and specifics of the activities that have and are taking place, as well as the resources and information that are necessary for the project’s successful completion. Conclusions are drawn that outline theneed for clear and transparent guidelines and procedures." |