Analytical Design Planning for Technique (ADePT) : programming the building design process

The construction process is traditionally planned either directly with bar charts, or with network analysis techniques forming the basis of the bar charts. The success of these approaches in construction planning over the years has led to their extensive use in the planning of design. Network analysis techniques and bar charts were developed specifically to plan production processes, such as construction, that have an easily definable logic and are sequential in nature. Design, however, is an iterative processes requiring assumptions and estimates of information to be made and work to be redone until a satisfactory solution is developed. Network analysis is not therefore an appropriate basis for planning design. They cannot account for this iterative nature, they monitor progress based upon the completion of drawing work and other design deliverables and are inappropriate for monitoring the availability of key pieces of information.The Analytical Design Planning Technique (ADePT), shown schematically in figure 1, offers an approach to planning design that accounts for the necessity to undertake work in an iterative manner, enables work to be monitored on the basis of the production of information, and allows design to be fully integrated with the overall construction process1. The first stage of the ADePT methodology is a model of the detailed stage of the building design process, representing design activities and their information requirements. The data in this model is linked via a dependency table to a Dependency Structure Matrix (DSM) analysis tool2 which is used in the second stage to identify iteration within the design process and arrange the activities with the objective of optimising the task order. The third stage of the methodology produces design programmes based on the optimised process sequence. The technique requires some iteration between the DSM and programming stages. The authors have developed computer tools to enable each stage to be undertaken in an efficient manner and thus, facilitate more effective planning and management of building design3. This paper reviews current problems in design planning within the construction industry and the use of a Dependency Structure Matrix tool to order the detailed design process. It then describes in detail the representation of the optimal design sequence within a programme and the integration of the optimised design programme with procurement and construction programmes

Integrating design in the project process

Current engineering design planning practice takes little account of the interdisciplinary, iterative nature of the process. This leads to a compromised design process containing inevitable cycles of rework together with associated time and cost penalties in both design and construction. The Analytical Design Planning Technique (ADePT) is a planning methodology which helps to overcome these difficulties. This paper describes the development and application of the technique. The technique can be applied as a risk identification and change management tool, as well as its primary purpose as a planning system. It also identifies co-ordination requirements and changes to design practices in achieving co-ordination. The benefits of using ADePT to integrate the project process are also described

Application of the analytical design planning technique to construction project management

Current construction project planning practices take little account of the interdisciplinary, iterative nature of the design process. This, combined with work packaging devised to suit construction and other influences on design planning, leads to a compromised design process containing inevitable cycles of redesign. This paper describes the Analytical Design Planning Technique (ADePT), a project planning methodology that helps to overcome these problems by providing a structured approach based on information flow rather than the production of design deliverables. It takes in account the iterative nature of design enabling coordinated, integrated design solutions to be developed within budgetary and time constraints

Analytical design planning technique (ADePT): a dependency structure matrix tool to schedule the building design process

Current planning practice takes little account of the interdisciplinary, iterative nature of the building design process. This leads to a compromised design process containing inevitable cycles of rework together with associated time and cost penalties in both design and construction. The analytical design planning technique (ADePT) is a planning methodology which helps to overcome these difficulties. The central part of ADePT is a dependency structure matrix (DSM). This paper describes DSM techniques and a tool developed to optimize the design process

A research agenda for the retrofitting of residential buildings in China – A case study

The high-rise residential buildings of China will soon need retrofitting and any such retrofitting should include consideration of new energy saving methods and ‘green’ technologies. A research agenda is needed to meet this challenge. This paper presents a research agenda for the ‘green’ retrofitting of residential buildings. The agenda is based on the input of 25 national and international experts which was produced by a novel methodology specifically designed to discuss the key questions relating to the retrofitting of residential buildings. This methodology, based on Problem Tree Analysis, proved an effective method of producing an agenda for the research that is needed to facilitate such change. The research needs are presented under six headings. Stages for undertaking the research activities under each of these headings have been identified. The agenda highlights that the challenge of retrofitting is holistic and includes not just engineering and construction actions but economic, social and governmental requirements. Key aspects of the research agenda include the need for better macro-economic and micro-economic models and a better understanding of people's needs and expectations. These topics are discussed together with recent research findings both from China and other countries

A comparative analysis of solid waste management in developed, developing and lesser developed countries

<p>Solid waste (SW) management is a challenge across the globe due to the increasing diversity of waste characteristics and lack of effective implementation of consistent waste policies accompanied by changing lifestyles, increased production processes and rapid urbanization. To date, fewer papers have been published in international literature on a comparative analysis of SW management in developed, developing and lesser developed countries. To fill that gap, this comparative review aims to analyse SW management pratices in lesser developed, developing and developed countries, using existing data from 2005 to 2015, from major scientific journals, <i>Waste Management; Resources, Conservation and Recycling; Journal of Environmental Management and Waste Management and Research</i>, covering both quantitative and qualitative data to draw experiences from developed countries for improving SW management efficiency in lesser developed and developing countries. The findings from the comparative review indicate that SW management in lesser developed and developing countries is not well established and inefficient. Key issues were identified around lack of cooperation among stakeholders, institutional structural weaknesses, lack of legislated recycling, ad hoc and uncoordinated approaches. This paper provides the critical aspects that could be useful to policy- and decision-makers when developing, designing, and making adjustments and implementing efficient SW management systems in developing and lesser developed countries.</p

Clustering analysis diagram.

<p>Clustering analysis diagram.</p

Geographical locality of the sample collection site.

<p>Geographical locality of the sample collection site.</p

Plot with PC1 and PC2 from principal component analysis.

<p>(a) Factor loadings of 18 PAHs on two components, and (b) factor scores of sampling locations on the PC1 and PC2.</p

Analytical Design Planning Technique : a model of the detailed building design process

Current planning practice takes little account of the interdisciplinary, iterative nature of the building design process. This leads to a compromised design process containing inevitable cycles of rework together with associated time and cost penalties in both design and construction. The Analytical Design Planning Technique (ADePT) is a planning methodology which helps to overcome these difficulties. This paper describes the development of a modelling notation and model of the detailed building design process, which forms the first stage of ADePT