Project Controls and Management Systems : current practice and how it has changed over the past decade

Project Controls and Management System (PCMS) refers to an ecosystem of processes, tools and personnel required for the proper planning and execution of capital projects throughout the different phases of design, procurement, construction and startup. This can be divided into different focus areas (functions) that would include Estimating, Planning, Scheduling, Cost Control, Change Management, Progressing, and Forecasting. Various trends such as globalization, contractor specialization and information technology developments have impacted the way PCMS are implemented and made it the subject of extensive research over the past years to investigate how to best utilize those trends. Replicating the research methodology used in a 2011 report published by the Construction Research Institute (CII), this work aims to investigate the current status of PCMS implementation and how it has changed over the past decade. It was concluded that while the original PCMS principles are still valid, adoption has drastically changed in terms of efficiency for the majority of the functions. The research also identifies areas of potential concerns and provides recommendations for further improvement.Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineerin

Higher Education on Buildings: Case Study in the North Dakota Region

Because of the growing demand for local skilled professionals to improve the health, energy efficiency, and sustainability of residential and commercial buildings in North Dakota, this case study reports the current situation of higher education relating to buildings in the state’s vicinity, including Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. In this region, 116 programs relating to buildings were found in 41 postsecondary institutions, and both their majors and courses were then studied with frequency lists. The frequency information was analyzed over nine sets of curriculum areas at both graduate and undergraduate levels for the four states. After the current state of buildings in North Dakota was investigated, strategies were then proposed to rectify current issues regarding higher education on buildings, including but not limited to forming a comprehensive and interdisciplinary program on buildings (e.g., architectural engineering), providing more graduate programs, developing more courses in areas that lack adequate coursework, and increasing student enrollment. These strategies will greatly promote the health, energy efficiency, and sustainability for new and existing buildings in the four-state region of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota

Digital Dissemination Platform of Transportation Engineering Education Materials Founded in Adoption Research

INE/AUTC 14.0

A 5D Building Information Model (BIM) for Potential Cost-Benefit Housing: A Case of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

The Saudi construction industry is going through a process of acclimatizing to a shifting fiscal environment. Due to recent fluctuations in oil prices, the Saudi construction sector decided to adjust to current trade-market demands and rigorous constitutional regulations because of competitive pressures. This quantitative study assesses and compares existing flat design vs. mid-terrace housing through cost estimation and design criteria that takes family privacy into consideration and meets the needs of Saudi Arabian families (on average consisting of seven members). Five pilot surveys were undertaken to evaluate the property preference type of Saudi families. However, Existing models did not satisfy the medium range family needs and accordingly a 5D (3D + Time + Cost) Building Information Modelling (BIM) is proposed for cost benefiting houses. Research results revealed that mid-terrace housing was the best option, as it reduced land usage and construction costs. While, 5D BIM led to estimate accurate Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and the appraisal of construction cost

A sustainable Australian naval industry

Executive Summary: Australia, as an island continent, is a maritime nation. Our way of life is enabled by the sea.Our security and prosperity vests in a Navy that can fight and win at sea. For the Navy to be effective, the Australian naval industry must be able to continuously deliver and sustain capable warships and submarines.This paper puts forward an industry perspective on how to develop a sustainable and productive Australian naval industry. Australia has the ability to develop a naval industry that approaches or exceeds international benchmarks for efficiency and performance. This advanced industrial capability would be available without additional cost should the Government implement policies that enable higher industry performance.Five key recommendations are proposed:1.    implement rolling ship and submarine building programs to sustain industry throughput2.    build a capable in-country naval ‘value chain’ built on domestic and international sources ofsupply3.    implement best commercial practice across the value chain for greater productivity4.    increase in-country capability in submarine and ship integration to include warship design5.    establish, maintain and execute a strategic science and technology program.Significant benefits follow. Simply put, the most important benefit of a sustainable and productive Australian naval industry is an improvement in Navy capability. The Government also receives more cost effective products and services. A wider value is realised through greater military and industrial self-reliance, jobs growth, and development of human capital, innovation and economic growth

Assuring Access to Care Under Health Reform: The Key Role of Workforce Policy

Examines policy and practical options for addressing the projected shortage of primary care physicians to ensure access to health care under expanded insurance coverage, including reorganizing practices to make productive use of nurses and other staff

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY SCIENCE MASTER\u27S PROGRAM IN SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE: A PROGRAM EVALUATION

The Clemson University Science Master\u27s Program (SMP) in Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure is a program which aims to link engineering, materials, construction, environment, architecture, business, and public policy to produce graduates with unique holistic perspective and expertise to immediately contribute to the workforce in the area of sustainable and resilient infrastructure. A program evaluation of the SMP has been performed to study the effectiveness of the SMP and identify areas where the goals and vision of the SMP are achieved and areas where improvements can be made. This was completed by analysis of trends within survey responses, review of Master\u27s thesis reports, and review of courses taken. It was found that the SMP has facilitated new interdisciplinary research collaborations of faculty in different concentration areas within the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering, as well as collaboration with faculty in other departments. It is recommended that a course which provides instruction in all eight competency areas be required for all SMP students to provide a comprehensive overview and ensure all students are exposed to concepts of all competency areas. While all stakeholders are satisfied with the program and believe it has been successful thus far, efforts do need to be made as the program moves forward to address and improve some items that have been mentioned as needing improvement. The concerns about concentration courses, internship planning, and advising should be addressed. This evaluation provides benefits to prospective students, current SMP participants, and outside program supporters. The goal of this evaluation is to provide support that the SMP is an effective and worthwhile program for participating students, while attempting to identify any necessary program improvements and provide recommendations for achieving these improvements. This goal has been accomplished

Final report : task 4 : waste minimisation in construction

The Regenerating Construction Project for the CRC for Construction Innovation aims to assist in the delivery of demonstrably superior ‘green’ buildings. Components of the project address eco-efficient redesign, achieving a smaller ecological footprint, enhancing indoor environment and minimising waste in design and construction. The refurbishment of Council House 1 for Melbourne City Council provides an opportunity to develop and demonstrate tools that will be of use for commercial building refurbishment generally. It is hoped that the refurbishment will act as an exemplar project to demonstrate environmentally friendly possibilities for office building refurbishment

Critical success factors (CSFs) influencing the implementation of industrialized building Systems (IBS) in Nigeria

Conventional method of construction hinders the actualization of triple success project objectives of time, cost and quality delivery of construction projects while IBS method is used for closing these negative effects. Hence, this study aimed at examining critical success factors (CSFs) influencing the implementation of industrialized building systems (IBS) in Nigeria. Adopting a cross-sectional survey design, a close-ended questionnaire was purposively administered online to construction professionals who have distinct knowledge and experience on projects where IBS has been implemented. The data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics using IBM SPSS v. 21. The study findings showed that good working relationship, training of skilled workforce, effective communication route and financial capacity are the CSFs furthering the implementation of IBS in a developing country like Nigeria. The implication for practice is for construction stakeholders to develop these competencies to maximally improve the implementation of IBS projects. The study developed a framework that the project stakeholders can implement for an efficient industrialized building system on construction projects