The development of an innovative sustainable Total Planning and Control system for construction projects

The management of construction projects has been heavily criticised by government institutions, academics and practitioners for delays, cost overruns and suboptimum performance. Numerous studies have identified project planning as the main problem with both the management methodology and conventional project planning techniques deemed insufficient. It has been established that only fifty per cent of the planned work is completed as scheduled. This is consistent with the findings of this study, which again confirms the insufficiency of the techniques available to the general practitioner. This research explores operational problems associated with project planning and control, and develops an innovative and holistic planning and control system to deliver sustainable construction projects. A qualitative strategy was adopted for this study utilising interviews and multiple case study methods, which are complementary approaches. In total, four case studies were selected from the predominant UK construction industry and 81 interviews were conducted for this study. Given the criticisms of qualitative research as methodologically weak, this study develops a research process that addresses the specific objectives of the study

Adaption of structured analysis design techniques methodology for construction project planning

The construction industry has been heavily criticised by researchers and governmental organisations for its performance especially excessive delay. Ballard and Howell (2003) indicated that only about 50% of the tasks on weekly work plans are completed by the end of the plan week. This is a result of a lack of either effective project planning or effective production control. It therefore seems the traditional approach of planning is insufficient to meet the current demand and complexity of construction projects. This paper proposes to critically evaluate the adaptation of Structured Analysis Design Techniques (SADT) methodology as a tool for project planning. SADT which was further developed into IDEF (Integrated Definition) techniques claims to be a complete methodology to provide the means of understanding complex production systems and aid the implementation of change. The use of this methodology has led to process improvement. The research uses a literature review followed by interviews with academics and practitioners to investigate their knowledge and understanding of SADT (IDEFO). The results of the interviews indicated that SADT (IDEFO) methodology is seldom known and used in the construction industry. However, this study indicates that SADT methodology appears to be an effective project planning tool. This study contributes to the limited project planning techniques in construction industry by exploring the possible adaption of SADT

Exploring Mobile Social Networking Sites Continuance Intention from the Perspective of Network Externalities and Mobile Value

Key shifts in the nature and characteristics of technology have led to evolutions in social media usage. For the first time in history, the internet is being accessed from more mobile devices than desktop computers. This revolution is especially felt among social networking sites, many of whom have presciently developed and released mobile applications of their platforms. Drawing from the Perceived Value Theory, Network Externalities and the Expectation Confirmation Theory of IS Continuance, we tested a model that sought to explain the effect of Network Externalities on Perceived Value and in turn Continuance Intention. Data was collected from 452 students from a university in Ghana and analyzed using the Partial Least Square approach to Structural Equation Modeling. Results from the current study showed that Referent Network Size and Perceived Complementarity had significant effects on both Utilitarian and Hedonic Value as well as Satisfaction. Hedonic Value, Utilitarian Value and Satisfaction in turn were found to be significant predictors of Continuance Intention. In all, the model accounted for 58.0% of the variance in continuance intention. The implications and limitations of the current study are discussed, and directions for future research proposed

Institutional Foundations of Construction ICT: A View from the West Midlands of England

Construction industry is of strategic importance to economic development and growth within any region and nation. However, the industry is confronted by many challenges including poor labour productivity. Part of the explanation frequently provided in literature is that the industry has been slow to adopt and institutionalize useful information and communication technologies (ICT). The research questions asked in this article are: What are the institutional foundations for West-Midlands construction firms to deliver their projects based on ICT and how can these be strengthened? These questions are asked for two reasons. The first is to understand the reasons behind slow ICT adoption and second, to inquire into what can be done about it. The article provides an overview of projects using advanced ICT in the region and presents the results of a focus group discussion undertaken with six industry experts. Scott’s pillars of institutions were used for understanding how the foundations for ICT adaption in the region can be strengthened. Findings are that present regulations, incentives and perceptions of ICT can be further strengthened. While ICT adoption appears to accelerate in large projects, many practitioners remain sceptical as to whether the excessive costs associated with ICT adoptions are justified. The regulative pressures exerted by government in support of ICT adoption do not seem to have fully materialised in industrial practice. However, it is apparent that the normative and cultural cognitive pressures are rendered weak in the region with using advanced ICT being viewed as extraordinary rather than standard industrial practice

A Technique for the Retrospective and Predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors for the Oil and Gas Industry (TRACEr-OGI)

Human error remains a major cause of several accidents in the oil and gas (O&G) industry. While human error has been analysed in several industries and has been at the centre of many debates and commentaries, a detailed, systematic and comprehensive analysis of human error in the O&G industry has not yet been conducted. Hence, this report aims to use the Technique for Retrospective and Predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors (TRACEr) to analyse historical accidents in the O&G industry. The study has reviewed 163 major and/or fatal O&G industry accidents that occurred between 2000 and 2014. The results obtained have shown that the predominant context for errors was internal communication, mostly influenced by factors of perception. Major accident events were crane accidents and falling objects, relating to the most dominant accident type: ‘Struck by’. The main actors in these events were drillers and operators. Generally, TRACEr proved very useful in identifying major task errors. However, the taxonomy was less useful in identifying both equipment errors and errors due to failures in safety critical control barriers and recovery measures. Therefore, a modified version of the tool named Technique for the Retrospective and Predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors for the Oil and Gas Industry (TRACEr-OGI) was proposed and used. This modified analytical tool was consequently found to be more effective for accident analysis in the O&G industry