Jussi Matias Savolainen, Arto Saari, Anssi Männistö and Kalle Kähkonen
Design management plays a significant role in value creation in a construction project. Within the last few decades, new design tools such as building information model have been…
Abstract
Purpose
Design management plays a significant role in value creation in a construction project. Within the last few decades, new design tools such as building information model have been introduced, which supposedly enhance design productivity and quality. However, no such revolution of design quality has emerged. Therefore, more research on how design management affects the quality of construction project is needed. The purpose of this paper is to better understand the connection between design management procedures and quality.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a case study with a mixed-method approach. The data collection strategies used are quantitative user satisfaction survey and qualitative analysis over the documentation of the case project.
Findings
A deductive analysis was conducted to four suggested indicators of beneficial collaboration. An explanation was found for how the quality of the project outcome can be forecasted from the management style and procedures.
Research limitations/implications
The research was conducted as single case study, and therefore, greater data would enable further development of the indicators.
Practical implications
The indicators have wide range of applicability: the clients can forecast the quality performance by evaluating the management procedures already during the project instead of waiting until the end of project. The indicator system also provides societal impact as it guides the clients to use the kind of managerial practices that improve the ability to create value in projects that are difficult to evaluate in money terms.
Originality/value
The research provides a novel way to gain a holistic view with analytical indicator tools. The research contributes to lean design management literature by providing insight to the underlying mechanism of beneficial collaboration.
Details
Keywords
Sina Moradi and Kalle Kähkönen
The emergence of collaborative delivery models and working practices in construction industry has created a potential area for project success research. Previous studies have…
Abstract
Purpose
The emergence of collaborative delivery models and working practices in construction industry has created a potential area for project success research. Previous studies have addressed success factors of various collaborative delivery models (e.g. alliance and partnering). However, there is currently very limited research-based knowledge concerning core success factors for different collaborative delivery models, exploring the commonalities. Thus, this study aims to conceptualize a success model for collaborative construction projects by identifying and structuring their core success factors through the lens of project delivery elements.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted, and thematic as well as content analysis of the relevant studies led to the identification of mentioned success factors in the literature for different collaborative delivery models. Then, those common success factors were structured in a model based on factors' relation to project delivery elements.
Findings
The obtained results present eight core success factors (e.g. equality, mutual trust and commitment to win–win philosophy) for collaborative construction projects, structured in a model based on their contribution toward project organization, contractual relationships, and operational system in construction project delivery. Moreover, the differences between success factors for traditional and collaborative construction projects are discussed.
Originality/value
This study's findings provide insightful theoretical contributions on collaborative construction project success and providing a departure point for future studies based on the discussed differences between success factors of collaborative and traditional construction projects. The findings can be also practically insightful for the project professionals in collaborative construction projects to succeed in managing project organization, contractual relationships, and operational system.
Details
Keywords
Sina Moradi, Kalle Kähkönen and Kirsi Aaltonen
The success of projects clearly relies on project management personnel and particularly on project managers. Their performance and capacities are based on the achieved…
Abstract
Purpose
The success of projects clearly relies on project management personnel and particularly on project managers. Their performance and capacities are based on the achieved competencies. The purpose of this paper is to address possible discrepancies between the views arising from the research results and standards of practice related to project managers’ competencies.
Design/methodology/approach
For reaching the aim of the study, a comprehensive literature review, covering previous studies and related standards of practice was conducted, and analyses of competencies in the studies and standards of practice containing the rank of competencies based on frequency of appearance were developed.
Findings
The findings are proposing four discrepancies between the results of previous studies and standards of practice: commonly existing/missing competencies; uneven priority of some competencies in the view of researchers vs standards of practice; uneven degree of consensus on the importance of competencies; and research results are more context-oriented than the standards of practice. In addition, 98 project managers’ competencies were identified, from which 68 were qualified as weighty ones. Moreover, a categorization of project managers’ weighty competencies was developed. Finally, a list of competencies of relevance for different project types and their targets is presented.
Originality/value
The findings of this study provide a contribution with respect of present knowledge over project managers’ competencies by recognizing certain discrepancies between research results and standards of practice. Another contribution of the study is the comprehensive list of competencies together with considerations of their relevance in different project contexts and in different project types.
Details
Keywords
Creating a BIM-enabled learning space that spans both higher education and industry offers the possibility of immersive and integrated learning on the basis of real, up-to-date…
Abstract
Purpose
Creating a BIM-enabled learning space that spans both higher education and industry offers the possibility of immersive and integrated learning on the basis of real, up-to-date project data for a new generation of students who will be “BIM natives” and can “think in BIM”. This paper aims to elaborate the concept of BIM as a learning environment so that it can be produced for Architecture Engineering Construction (AEC) educational purposes.
Design/Methodology/Approach
The complementary theoretical lenses of Experiential Learning, Structuration Theory and Systems Theory are adopted for conceptualising a BIM-enabled Learning Environment (BLE).
Findings
The BLE is proposed in the form of a social system embedded within both the education system and the industry system. The BLE is described in terms of its structures and component subsystems, inputs, outputs and flows at different scales.
Research Limitations/Implications
In this initial paper, the BLE is merely outlined and its constituent structures alluded to. Further investigation is required to fully detail the BLE.
Practical Implications
By describing the identified structures in still more detail, the BLE can be understood to the extent that it can be reproduced in practice for actual learning. This is the goal and expectation going forward.
Originality/Value
The derived BLE is described in social terms and this reflects the centrality of social activity to both building and learning. Technology, processes and traditional industry roles are subordinated into supporting functions. This potentially offers opportunities for learners to reflect on all of these and to consider ways of improving them.
Details
Keywords
Marco A. Bragadin and Kalle Kähkönen
This paper is based on research addressing quality of construction schedules. The paper aims to structure a Schedule Health Assessment method and present it as a means to carry…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper is based on research addressing quality of construction schedules. The paper aims to structure a Schedule Health Assessment method and present it as a means to carry out the evaluation of construction schedules.
Design/Methodology/Approach
The development of the Schedule Health assessment method can be characterised as constructive research. The structuring of the method is based on analysis of factors forming the overall quality of construction schedules. The method has been tested in a proof of concept study. This comprised a case study in which four master schedules developed by junior production managers were evaluated using the Schedule Health assessment method.
Findings
It is possible to construct a method for the quality evaluation of construction schedules.
Research Limitations/Implications
The completed testing is still rather limited since it is based merely on experiences of junior production managers with a single case.
Practical Implications
The Schedule Health assessment method can in a useful manner make the quality evaluation of construction schedules easy to approach and effective process.
Originality/Value
This research has produced a novel method for the quality evaluation of construction schedules.
Details
Keywords
The paper aims to clarify the role of systemic innovations and the subsequent profound change these can have on the construction and real estate sectors. Systemic innovation as a…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to clarify the role of systemic innovations and the subsequent profound change these can have on the construction and real estate sectors. Systemic innovation as a concept has an inherent capability for viewing factors, actors and conditions as a system or several systems. This has a direct relevance in construction and real estate sector where operations are composed of temporary and continual networks of stakeholders and where the end products can be understood as systems.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper builds additional viewpoints and interpretations on some recently completed research where sector wide innovation aspects and challenges have been studied. Two doctoral dissertations supervised by the author and an action research effort where innovative cellular building products were developed and implemented are presented.
Findings
The paper provides insights about systemic innovations in the construction and real estate sectors. It presents research topics that explain further what is required for having successful systemic innovations.
Research limitations/implications
This is a synthesis paper. The presented viewpoints and interpretations can be used as starting points for research, development and innovation actions.
Practical implications
The paper presents starting points for companies and other service providers targeting new innovative products which have systemic implications.
Originality/value
This paper explains the need and challenges of systemic innovations in the construction and real estate sectors.
Details
Keywords
Olli Teriö, Jaakko Sorri, Kalle Kähkönen and Jukka Hämäläinen
The primary aim of this study was to better understand the grounds to develop a monitoring and performance measurement method to support the environmental management of…
Abstract
Purpose
The primary aim of this study was to better understand the grounds to develop a monitoring and performance measurement method to support the environmental management of construction operations. The practical purpose was to improve environmental activities in construction sites. This study helps to fill the gap between environmental needs and practices on construction sites.
Design/methodology/approach
Action research was the principal research method. The research procedure was executed in collaboration with construction companies. The EICS meter was originally developed to create rules for environmental competition between construction sites. Since the time of this competition, the meter has been further improved in other studies.
Findings
Based on the literature and feedback gained in the testing round of the EICS, five relevant categories were formulated to evaluate environmental operations: environmental information management, waste management, material handling and shielding, energy use and emissions. A simple index method was applied for these five categories. Furthermore, observation targets and acceptance criteria were defined for these categories. The meter supports environmental management in practise. The method can be used to analyse the starting point level when developing environmental processes.
Originality/value
This study offers insights based on action research for both academics and practitioners. The meter is outlined for Nordic conditions, but the structure of the method is also suitable elsewhere. The national demands can be locally fine-tuned.