The role of visual management in collaborative integrated planning and control for engineer-to-order building systems

Visual Management is a key approach in the implementation of Lean Production. It emphasizes the importance of developing easy-to-understand visual devices for sharing knowledge within an organization. Such visual devices can play an important role in mitigating the complexity of engineer-to-order production systems. A major difficulty in managing engineer-to-order prefabricated building systems is the need to integrate planning and control of different processes, such as design, fabrication and assembly on site, in a multiple project environment. This paper reports preliminary findings on the implementation of visual devices for collaborative and integrated planning and control in a Steel Fabricator, which designs, fabricates and assembles steel structures. The aim of this paper is to understand how visual management tools can contribute to improve the effectiveness of planning and control in this environment. A set of visual devices have been used in the planning and control system in this company, including a panel that makes available information about 200 simultaneous contracts in an easy-to-understand way. The implementation of those tools has enhanced the participation of different people in the planning process from operational levels or from the different production units

Planning and controlling design in engineered-to-order prefabricated building systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for planning and controlling the design process in companies that design, manufacture and assemble prefabricated engineer-to-order (ETO) building systems. This model was devised as an adaptation of the Last Planner® System for ETO multiple-project environments. Design/methodology/approach – Design science research, also known as prescriptive research, was the methodological approach adopted in this research. An empirical study was carried out at the design department of a leading steel fabricator from Brazil, in which the proposed model was implemented in six different design teams. Findings – The main benefits of the proposed model were shielding design work from variability, encouraging collaborative planning, creating opportunities for learning, increasing process transparency, and flexibility according to project status. Two main factors affected the effectiveness of the implementation process commitment and leadership of design managers, and training on design management and project planning and control core concepts and practices. Research limitations/implications – Some limitations were identified in the implementation process: similarly to some previous studies (Ballard, 2002; Codinhoto and Formoso, 2005), the success of constraint analysis was still limited; some of the metrics produced (e.g. ABI, causes of planning failures) have not been fully used for process improvement; and systematic feedback about project status was not properly implemented and tested. Originality/value – The main contributions of this study in relation to traditional design planning and control practices are related to the use of two levels of look-ahead planning, the introduction of a decoupling point between conceptual and detail design, the proposition of new metrics for the Last Planner® System, and understanding the potential role of visual management to support planning and control

Qualidade de vida urbana : avaliação multidimensional em Porto Alegre, Brasil

The social-cultural environment has great influence on the perception of Quality of Life (QoL), as well as the built environment. Choosing the location of housing is an important issue when it comes to housing policies. In this respect, converting vacant buildings to affordable housing is an opportunity but also a challenge in this process. From the 1970s onwards, the global concern with the environment has increased, especially due to the accelerated urbanization process of cities in developing countries and their socio-environmental problems. Hence, the need to evaluate the urban quality of life is directly related to this phenomenon. The aim of this study is therefore to propose a multidimensional method to evaluate the urban QoL in the context of the renovation of buildings for social housing in central urban areas. Design Science Research is the methodological approach adopted as it aims to propose an innovative method (artefact) to address a current problem. One important contribution of the study is related to the discussion on the nature of QoL, based on a systematic literature review, aiming for a better understanding of the multidimensional urban QoL approach, including its objective and subjective dimensions. This study argues that the multidimensional urban QoL should include the horizontal dimensions (objective and subjective dimensions) and vertical dimensions, including relevant aspects of the living conditions (such as urban services; the economy; culture and recreation; urban mobility; conviviality; security; and environmental comfort), that should be objectively (universal metrics) and subjectively (users’ perception) assessed. The main contribution of this study is the proposal of a multidimensional urban QoL evaluation method, which includes three main steps: preparation for the evaluation; the evaluation itself; and communication of results and discussion. Other contributions are related to the application of the method with residents of four social housing buildings in the urban centre of Porto Alegre, Brazil, the proposal of a set of urban QoL indicators, the proposal of a subjective QoL index, and the data confrontation between the subjective and objective dimensions of QoL.O ambiente sociocultural apresenta grande influência na percepção da Qualidade de Vida (QV), assim como o ambiente construído. A escolha da localização da moradia é uma questão relevante quando se trata de políticas habitacionais. Nesse contexto, converter edificações vazias ou subutilizadas em habitação social é uma oportunidade, mas também um desafio desse complexo processo. A partir da década de 1970, a preocupação global com o meio ambiente aumentou, principalmente devido ao processo acelerado de urbanização das cidades dos países em desenvolvimento e seus consequentes problemas socioambientais. Assim, a necessidade de avaliar a QV urbana está diretamente relacionada a esse fenômeno. O objetivo deste estudo, portanto, é propor um método multidimensional para avaliar a QV urbana no contexto de recuperação de edificações para habitação social em áreas urbanas centrais. Design Science Research é a abordagem metodológica adotada na medida em que este estudo visa propor um método inovador (artefato) para contribuir com um problema atual. Uma importante contribuição do estudo está relacionada à discussão sobre a natureza da QV urbana, a partir de uma revisão sistemática da literatura, visando uma melhor compreensão da sua abordagem multidimensional, incluindo suas dimensões objetiva e subjetiva. Este estudo argumenta que a QV urbana multidimensional inclui as dimensões horizontais (dimensões objetivas e subjetivas) e as dimensões verticais, ou seja, aspectos relevantes das condições de vida (como serviços urbanos; economia; cultura e recreação; mobilidade urbana; convivialidade; segurança; e conforto ambiental), que devem ser avaliados de forma objetiva (métricas universais) e subjetiva (percepção dos usuários). Como principal contribuição, portanto, este estudo propõe um método multidimensional de avaliação da QV urbana, que compreende três etapas principais: preparação para a avaliação; avaliação; e comunicação dos resultados e discussão. Outras contribuições estão relacionadas à aplicação do método com moradores de quatro edifícios de habitação social no centro urbano de Porto Alegre, Brasil, à proposta de um conjunto de indicadores de QV urbana, à proposta de um índice subjetivo de QV e ao confrontamento de dados das dimensões subjetiva e objetiva da QV

Urban quality of life : a systematic literature review

The built environment has great influence over the sustainability of societies as well as over people’s quality of life. Quality of life (QoL) is a broad concept that has different definitions across diverse bodies of knowledge. The social–cultural environment and the characteristics of the built environment influence people’s perception of QoL. This study aims to identify and analyse the factors that impact QoL and sustainable development in the urban context. A systematic literature review was developed to understand QoL concepts and to identify urban indicators that contribute to the multidimensional evaluation of urban QoL. The results include (1) a holistic overview of QoL concepts and indicators; (2) the proposal of a holistic urban QoL concept; (3) the identification of urban QoL dimensions and indicators that contribute to urban QoL evaluation. The main contribution of this study is its discussion of the multidimensional nature of QoL, including objective and subjective dimensions

Design planning and control for engineer-to-order prefabricated building systems

O processo de projeto tem importante papel na geração de valor, pois define o produto de forma que este atenda às necessidades do cliente. No entanto, o planejamento e controle deste processo na indústria da construção são, em geral, informais e ineficazes. Estes problemas tendem a ser mais graves em empreendimentos rápidos e complexos, quando envolvem sistemas pré-fabricados, normalmente caracterizados como sistemas do tipo engineer-to-order (ETO). Visando a aprimorar o processo de projeto, muitas empresas tem implementado conceitos e princípios da produção enxuta, podendo ser destacado o uso do Sistema Last Planner (SLP), que contribui para proteger a produção da variabilidade do processo, assim como para eliminá-la. O presente estudo tem como objetivo propor um modelo de planejamento e controle de projetos em empresas que projetam, fabricam e montam sistemas pré-fabricados, com características de sistema de produção do tipo ETO. Foi realizado um estudo empírico no setor de projetos de empresa de sistemas construtivos metálicos, com sede na Região Sul do Brasil. Inicialmente, o SLP foi implementado em duas equipes de projeto, sendo refinado e adaptado ao contexto da empresa. Depois, o SLP refinado foi implementado em outras quatro equipes. Como principais contribuições destacam-se o papel do modelo proposto no aumento da transparência de processos e na melhoria da confiabilidade deste processo, possibilitando o planejamento integrado entre as equipes de projeto. O modelo pode ser aplicado a sistemas pré-fabricados do tipo ETO, não somente no contexto de sistemas construtivos metálicos, mas em equipes de projetos que desenvolvem múltiplos projetos simultaneamente.The design process plays an important role in value generation, since it defines the products that must meet customer needs. However, design planning and control in the construction industry are often informal and ineffective. This problem tends to bring serious consequences, especially in fast and complex projects that involve prefabricated building systems, normally defined as engineer-to-order (ETO) environments. In order to improve the design process, several companies have implemented lean production concepts and principles, and especially the Last Planner System (LPS) for production control, which shields production from upstream variability as well as contributes for reducing it. The aim of this study is to propose a model for planning and controlling the design process in companies that design, manufacture and assemble prefabricated ETO building systems. An empirical study was carried out is the design department of a steel fabricator based in Southern Brazil. Initially, LPS was implemented in two design teams, being refined and adapted to the context of the company. Then, the existing LPS was implemented in four other design teams. The main contributions of this investigation is the role of the proposed model in increasing process transparency and improving the reliability of the design process, making it possible to produce an integrated plan for the whole design department. This model is not limited to steel fabricators, but is applicable to any ETO prefabricated building systems, in which design teams carry out multiple design projects simultaneously

Comunidade terapêutica Novo Horizonte

Resumo não disponíve

Design planning and control for engineer-to-order prefabricated building systems

O processo de projeto tem importante papel na geração de valor, pois define o produto de forma que este atenda às necessidades do cliente. No entanto, o planejamento e controle deste processo na indústria da construção são, em geral, informais e ineficazes. Estes problemas tendem a ser mais graves em empreendimentos rápidos e complexos, quando envolvem sistemas pré-fabricados, normalmente caracterizados como sistemas do tipo engineer-to-order (ETO). Visando a aprimorar o processo de projeto, muitas empresas tem implementado conceitos e princípios da produção enxuta, podendo ser destacado o uso do Sistema Last Planner (SLP), que contribui para proteger a produção da variabilidade do processo, assim como para eliminá-la. O presente estudo tem como objetivo propor um modelo de planejamento e controle de projetos em empresas que projetam, fabricam e montam sistemas pré-fabricados, com características de sistema de produção do tipo ETO. Foi realizado um estudo empírico no setor de projetos de empresa de sistemas construtivos metálicos, com sede na Região Sul do Brasil. Inicialmente, o SLP foi implementado em duas equipes de projeto, sendo refinado e adaptado ao contexto da empresa. Depois, o SLP refinado foi implementado em outras quatro equipes. Como principais contribuições destacam-se o papel do modelo proposto no aumento da transparência de processos e na melhoria da confiabilidade deste processo, possibilitando o planejamento integrado entre as equipes de projeto. O modelo pode ser aplicado a sistemas pré-fabricados do tipo ETO, não somente no contexto de sistemas construtivos metálicos, mas em equipes de projetos que desenvolvem múltiplos projetos simultaneamente.The design process plays an important role in value generation, since it defines the products that must meet customer needs. However, design planning and control in the construction industry are often informal and ineffective. This problem tends to bring serious consequences, especially in fast and complex projects that involve prefabricated building systems, normally defined as engineer-to-order (ETO) environments. In order to improve the design process, several companies have implemented lean production concepts and principles, and especially the Last Planner System (LPS) for production control, which shields production from upstream variability as well as contributes for reducing it. The aim of this study is to propose a model for planning and controlling the design process in companies that design, manufacture and assemble prefabricated ETO building systems. An empirical study was carried out is the design department of a steel fabricator based in Southern Brazil. Initially, LPS was implemented in two design teams, being refined and adapted to the context of the company. Then, the existing LPS was implemented in four other design teams. The main contributions of this investigation is the role of the proposed model in increasing process transparency and improving the reliability of the design process, making it possible to produce an integrated plan for the whole design department. This model is not limited to steel fabricators, but is applicable to any ETO prefabricated building systems, in which design teams carry out multiple design projects simultaneously

Design process planning and control : last planner system adaptation

Many companies are seeking to improve their design process through the application of lean principles. However, to implement lean concepts effectively, companies must first achieve basic design process stability by controlling variability and increasing reliability, which the Last Planner System (LPS) helps to accomplish. This study aims to better understand the application of the LPS in design and to propose an adaptation for the design of prefabricated steel construction systems for fast projects, through a case study carried out in a steel fabricator company. This research work was divided into three main stages. First, LPS was applied with two design teams, and an adaptation of the LPS for the specific context of the company was proposed. Second, the refined LPS was implemented in four additional design teams. Finally, an evaluation of the implementation process, based on a set of design planning and control practices was conducted, and a design planning and control model was proposed. The main impacts of the implementation were an increase in process transparency, stronger commitment in the delivery of packages, and collaborative decision-making. The paper also discusses some of the difficulties in terms of implementing medium-term planning, due to the complexity of the process

Urban Quality of Life:A Systematic Literature Review

The built environment has great influence over the sustainability of societies as well as over people’s quality of life. Quality of life (QoL) is a broad concept that has different definitions across diverse bodies of knowledge. The social–cultural environment and the characteristics of the built environment influence people’s perception of QoL. This study aims to identify and analyse the factors that impact QoL and sustainable development in the urban context. A systematic literature review was developed to understand QoL concepts and to identify urban indicators that contribute to the multidimensional evaluation of urban QoL. The results include (1) a holistic overview of QoL concepts and indicators; (2) the proposal of a holistic urban QoL concept; (3) the identification of urban QoL dimensions and indicators that contribute to urban QoL evaluation. The main contribution of this study is its discussion of the multidimensional nature of QoL, including objective and subjective dimensions