Using relative importance index method for developing risk map in oil and gas construction projects

The objective of this research is to classify risk factors and their ranking in terms of their probability and impact on construction projects in the oil and gas sector, to test the relationship between the causes and effects of risk factors and then develop the risk map to facilitate the planning of risk response strategies. To achieve this objective, researchers invited practitioners and engineers who are comprising a statistically representative sample of oil and gas sector population to joining a structured questionnaire survey. A total of fifty-one (51) factors were short-listed to be made part of the questionnaire survey. The survey was conducted with 357 participants of construction project teams as a sampling of populations from all oil and gas sectors in Yemen. The relative importance index (RII) method was applied to prioritize the project risk factors. RII data were used to develop a risk map for oil and gas construction projects. Correlation coefficient and reliability tests also carried out to know the relationship between risk factors and check the validity of the research. The reliability test of the questionnaire was 0.974 for the cause of risks and 0.81 for the effects, which considered very high value. RII analysis and risk map shown the most critical risk factors effected on project success. There is a significant contribution expected from this research, especially for companies operating in the oil and gas and other organizations that plan to invest in this field, in addition to expected benefits for the governments and researchers in this field due to lack of research in this field

A review of seating arrangements towards the 21st century classroom approach in schools / Norsafiah Norazman ... [et al.]

This article articulates a framework suitable to use when making a decision about student seating arrangement in the classroom at school level as a research aim. The decision makers should establish what are the potential types of seating arrangement? Then evaluate them in terms of its contribution, significance, and impact to the student learning development. The problem of a seating arrangement is usually related to the seating student position selection that is usually decided by teachers or students that can freely choose their own seating. There are three (3) objectives covered in this article; objective 1: to justify the main factors influencing classroom seating arrangement at school building, objective 2: to identify the common patterns of seating arrangement applied for school level and objective 3; to determine the best practice of seating arrangement for 21st century classroom approach at school building. The article articulates a theory of seating arrangement in reference to five (5) common forms of seat arrangement, namely Traditional (columns and rows), Cluster, U-shaped, Stadium, and Runaway. The performance of students might drop especially weak students who are sitting at the back of the classroom if the students are not judiciously arranged. Thus, seating arrangements should be set properly to ensure optimal quality of learning in a classroom. The technique of comparative analysis was used in this study. The findings had shown that cluster seating arrangement is relevant with the 21st century learning approach, which provides more availability of collaborative learning, where it contributes to student-centred learning in a classroom

A new perspective on the relationship between the construction industry performance and the economy outcome- a literature review

The attempts to analyze the relationship between the construction industry and economic growth have integrated many different methods. The process has become to be perceived as “construction economics” analysis. It is conceptualized as a procedure where construction industries outcomes implement increasingly more relevant for nation’s development benefits throughout mostly economic interdependencies that are emphasized as financial sources. Concurring with the present-day standards for affirming an industry, in considerably most facets of analysis result interpreted on a solely economic aspect which is not a conspicuous and significant indicator for construction industry initiates through its resolution outcome. Whereas proceed competently and developed directions from scholars or experts are the determinants of success that emerge due to reviews of relevant practical and research inferences. Literature for analysis on output in the construction industry within the economics aspect is further inscribed in detail. Consequently, relocating the ideology used to examine construction activates implications on development augmentation and shifts the schemes for classifying construction output in the numerous conservative analytic techniques towards more functional delineation. Considering and optimize more relevant details in the systematic process of quantifying the construction value analysis will implicate a reflected actual and detailed results of industrial or enterprise entities on both theoretical and empirical perception for construction economics

The Current Risk Management Practices and Knowledge in the Construction Industry

Construction is a critical sector of any economy in terms of value production, labor, and contributing to the gross national product. Managing risk is a relatively young area in Yemen’s construction sector, but it is gaining traction as building activity and competition rise. Construction firms mitigate risk by using a variety of risk management methods. Therefore, there is a need to assess these procedures in order to detect shortcomings. This research aims to establish the existing risk management strategies used in Yemeni building projects. Survey questionnaires were used to collect data. Respondents were drawn from Yemeni construction businesses. Risk management is not executed systematically, intentionally, or continuously, and most firms’ risk management procedures are reactive, semipermanent, informal, and unstructured, with no or few dedicated resources to address risks. This strategy is inconsistent with generally accepted risk management principles. Nonetheless, the findings suggest a general understanding of risk management and a willingness to learn from previous errors. The study of the findings suggests that risk identification approaches such as judgment and historical data are employed for risk analysis, and that the industry typically attempts to avoid or transfer risks in Yemeni building projects. The results shed light on the shortcomings of Yemen’s project management practices. To guarantee that construction projects obtain maximum value for money, project managers of big construction businesses in Yemen need a strong understanding of and training in globally accepted systematic risk management procedures. Finally, this study can help future stakeholders determine how to work together to manage risk

An Environmental Study on Development of Refurbishment Assessment Themes for Heritage Non-domestic Buildings in Malaysia

In this study a conceptual framework will allow design teams to have an appropriate balance between economic, social and environmental issues, changing the way construction practitioners think about the information they use when assessing building projects, thereby facilitating the sustainability of building industry. In view of the increasing significance of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction required by various countries, heritage buildings serve an important target in mitigating energy consumption through refurbishment. Information on the performance assessment of heritage buildings during refurbishment is rare in current literature. Hence, the aim of this study is to explore possible applicable assessment themes for heritage building refurbishment. A literature review was conducted from various assessment tools to develop a generic assessment framework. Four focus group discussions with 32 research and industry experts were carried out, and the applicable assessment themes and sub-themes were determined. Five main assessment dimensions relevant to heritage buildings refurbishment was identified - heritage, environmental, economic, social, and process. However, the process dimension was found to be unaddressed by currently assessment tools. This research can facilitate the identification of appropriate assessment themes and sub-themes for the refurbishment and improvement of heritage buildings. The findings can also be used by policy makers, conservators, designers, and building owners when refurbishing heritage buildings

A Framework of Efficient Material Storage Management on Congested Construction Site

Material storage management focuses on starting material into the built-up site to be recorded, the material layout and stored over a certain period until it is taken out of the storage area to the work site and the process is repeated. The emergence of new technologies that are not integrated and have no efficient management methods as well as inexperienced management negatively affect the storage management of overcrowded site sites. This study aims to devise an efficient set of materials storage management on a congested site. Critical studies have been referred on more than 50 previous research journals covering by the elements. The framework of this study comprises four elements that are defined as workflow of storage management, storage management systems, material storage methods and roles of responsible parties. The combination of the elements can contribute to the strengthening or discovery of the theory or concept that can be used by the developmental growth and future of the industry