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Article
Publication date: 1 January 1983

N. Kimmance

An up‐to‐date study covering the grounds for electrical testing of printed circuit boards, this paper analyses the objection to testing the levels of tooling complexity with…

21

Abstract

An up‐to‐date study covering the grounds for electrical testing of printed circuit boards, this paper analyses the objection to testing the levels of tooling complexity with suggestions on various approaches to tooling and finishes with a consideration of the costs of implementing ATE.

Details

Circuit World, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-6120

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Article
Publication date: 9 September 2014

Abdou Karim Jallow, Peter Demian, Andrew N. Baldwin and Chimay Anumba

The purpose of this paper is to investigate in-depth the current approach of managing client requirements in construction and to highlight the significant factors, which…

2934

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate in-depth the current approach of managing client requirements in construction and to highlight the significant factors, which contribute to the complexity of managing the requirements in order to define a better approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of a leading international global built asset and engineering consultancy organization was conducted over two years. The case study was conducted principally using semi-participant observations supplemented with other qualitative data collection methods (i.e. interviews, questionnaires and document analysis). Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The results highlight major factors associated with the complexity of managing client requirements information, which include: mechanisms for documentation, storage and access, distribution of requirements information between stakeholders and across lifecycle phases of a project, traceability management and the provision of effective change management incorporating dependency checking and impact analysis.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the research is the use of an in-depth study of a single organization, which applied the same project management method across all the projects they managed. Further work is planned to develop the proposed framework fully, and develop a software platform to operationalize and evaluate its industrial applicability with construction projects.

Practical implications

The implications of this research is that a better approach to managing requirements information is needed, which will facilitate the design, construction and operations of buildings within budget and time. An integrated framework and an associated tool are suggested to implement the approach.

Originality/value

This study identifies major research gaps and problems in the architecture, engineering, construction and facilities management industry; proposes and presents Electronic Requirements Information Management framework to facilitate lifecycle management of the requirements.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 21 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2004

D. Bouchlaghem, A.G. Kimmance and C.J. Anumba

Collaborative working in construction projects is becoming very important as many activities are usually performed involving actors based in different geographical locations…

2900

Abstract

Collaborative working in construction projects is becoming very important as many activities are usually performed involving actors based in different geographical locations. Recent years have seen the emergence and development of a plethora of visual software modelling tools, modelling standards, methods for wide enterprise concurrent engineering, and techniques for exchanging and sharing construction information between software applications. This paper describes an integrated product and process information modelling system developed to manage information essential to construction managers. The integrated conceptual model is based on information and functional requirements and was developed to model both product and process information in a hierarchical manner. The also shows how the model relates to practice, and presents the benefits that are gained from structuring information using this approach.

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Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 104 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

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Article
Publication date: 17 April 2009

Bo Jørgensen and Stephen Emmitt

Better integration of project processes has often been identified as the key issue regarding construction performance improvement. In some countries lean construction has become…

4008

Abstract

Purpose

Better integration of project processes has often been identified as the key issue regarding construction performance improvement. In some countries lean construction has become well‐established, although there appears to be considerable diversity in the interpretation of the concept. Lean construction initially focused on production aspects, but gradually design issues have started to receive more attention and integrating construction design and production processes from a lean perspective are beginning to be addressed. The purpose of this paper is to identify some of the practical challenges underlying the implementation of approaches promoted as “lean” and compare this with published research/theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an extensive review of the literature, a multiple case‐strategy approach was used to explore the practical application of lean approaches to design and construction integration in an organisational setting. Summaries of the case studies, one from the USA and two from Denmark, help to highlight a number of pertinent issues facing practitioners and researchers.

Findings

Findings suggest that it is possible to identify a number of aspects that (in theory as well as in practice) both influence and, to various extents, limit the applicability of the lean philosophy to construction. Findings also help to emphasise the importance of a number of interdependent factors for achieving better integration, namely: value identification/specification; an appropriate project delivery framework; structuring and planning of delivery processes; transparency; management and leadership; learning; and the importance of local context.

Originality/value

The findings provide an original contribution to the integration of design and construction activities from a lean perspective. The findings are generic and could be practically applied in a variety of contexts.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 1962

All items listed may be borrowed from the Aslib Library, except those marked *, which may be consulted in the Library.

14

Abstract

All items listed may be borrowed from the Aslib Library, except those marked *, which may be consulted in the Library.

Details

Aslib Proceedings, vol. 14 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 1965

A.J. WALFORD

In 1951 Barbara Kyle and I presented a joint paper on ‘Co‐operation between libraries specializing in the social sciences’ at the 1951 Library Association Conference, Edinburgh…

55

Abstract

In 1951 Barbara Kyle and I presented a joint paper on ‘Co‐operation between libraries specializing in the social sciences’ at the 1951 Library Association Conference, Edinburgh. That brief survey dealt with documentation services and library co‐operation in Britain at the time. Undoubtedly advances have been made since then and we can see more clearly the gaps and anomalies, particularly as compared with corresponding achievements in science and technology.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

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Article
Publication date: 13 September 2018

Christaline Wijekoon, Anupa Manewa and Andrew David Ross

Building information modelling (BIM) provides a robust platform for information management in built environment facilities. However, one of the consequences of the limited…

1606

Abstract

Purpose

Building information modelling (BIM) provides a robust platform for information management in built environment facilities. However, one of the consequences of the limited application of BIM in facilities information management (FIM) is that the potential value gain through the integration of as-built information during the operations management process has had limited exploration in current practice. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential impact of BIM to enhance the value of FIM.

Design/methodology/approach

A detailed literature review was undertaken to identify BIM application in a construction context, and to develop a framework to investigate the value of information. An interpretative approach was adopted for data collection and analysis. A total of 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted with construction industry professionals to identify how value of FIM can be enhanced through BIM integration. The interview data were analysed using open and selective coding.

Findings

The findings confirm that information exchange between the construction and facilities management (FM) phases of a project are important in terms of efficient and effective maintenance of a facility as well as optimising the design task. With these promising benefits, BIM is an efficient mechanism to facilitate construction information exchange. However, there is an uncertainty over the optimum level of information that ought to be on a BIM model for FM purposes. The relationship between different aspects of value is a starting point to filter the required information for each individual project. In contrast, limited awareness of value of information exchange and the potential of BIM enabled FIM during construction is noted.

Research limitations/implications

The information exchange considered within this investigation was limited to two key phases of the facility life cycle, namely, construction and FM (in-use).

Practical implications

The findings bring insight into an unseen aspect of FM information needs that should be given priority in upcoming BIM developments. Also, it draws attention to how value is concerned in a daily basis beyond monetary terms.

Originality/value

The investigation of value enhancement through BIM integration in particular to FIM and ongoing research with new value dimensions.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 27 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 25 April 2013

Poorang Piroozfar, Kemi Adeyeye, Micah Rosenkind and Graham Winstanley

The purpose of this paper is to report on partial findings of a research project on post‐occupancy design in school projects. It provides a brief review of key factors, and major…

492

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on partial findings of a research project on post‐occupancy design in school projects. It provides a brief review of key factors, and major players in post‐occupancy processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Subsequent to literature review for the research, the primary data was obtained from a steering group (stakeholder forum) comprising of a sample of primary and secondary school representatives, local authorities and building professionals. Following the data collection, visits were arranged to the selected schools, and local councils and semi‐structured interviews with school and council authorities were carried out. At the same time, research meeting and directed studies were held to best explore the applications for devising the toolkit. Simulated and real cases for making decisions in post‐occupancy design were selected to devise a model‐base to test out the applicability of the devised prototype of the toolkit.

Findings

This study provided clarification on the post‐occupancy performance and practicable expectations of major parties in school projects with special reference to the development stage of the proposed toolkit. The qualitative and quantitative data collected, confirmed that a real‐time updateable support system for decisions is required for making the most reasonable decisions where multi‐criteria/multi‐agent decision is inevitable. The principles of co‐creation of knowledge and value, as suggested in manufacture and service industries, were investigated to inform the underlying design platform for the toolkit. The decision support systems for multi‐criteria decision making processes were also established so that the toolkit can take a full account of the achievements in this area.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the complexities involved in the post‐occupancy decision processes in school projects. Also, the pressing need for a system to assist in streamlining the information flow (particularly upwards, from the schools to the LA) and management of knowledge to facilitate design decisions is identified. The decision processes need to be more integrated, collaborative and inclusive. It also acknowledges that decision making in post‐occupancy processes, is an evolving process. The main contribution of this paper however, remains to be how the collaborative processes were streamlined for all the stakeholders to work together and co‐create knowledge and value to devise a platform.

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Article
Publication date: 1 June 2006

Ching‐Jen Huang, Amy J.C. Trappey and Yin‐Ho Yao

The purpose of this research is to develop a prototype of agent‐based intelligent workflow system for product design collaboration in a distributed network environment.

2350

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to develop a prototype of agent‐based intelligent workflow system for product design collaboration in a distributed network environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This research separates the collaborative workflow enactment mechanisms from the collaborative workflow building tools for flexible workflow management. Applying the XML/RDF (resource description framework) ontology schema, workflow logic is described in a standard representation. Lastly, a case study in collaborative system‐on‐chip (SoC) design is depicted to demonstrate the agent‐based workflow system for the design collaboration on the web.

Findings

Agent technology can overcome the difficulty of interoperability in cross‐platform, distributed environment with standard RDF data schema. Control and update of workflow functions become flexible and versatile by simply modifying agent reasoning and behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

When business partners want to collaborate, how to integrate agents in different workflows becomes a critical issues.

Practical implications

Agent technology can facilitate design cooperation and teamwork communication in a collaborative, transparent product development environment.

Originality/value

This research establishes generalized flow logic RDF models and an agent‐based intelligent workflow management system, called AWfMS, based on the RDF schema of workflow definition. AWfMS minimizes barriers in the distributed design process and hence increases design cooperations among partners.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 106 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 2 March 2021

Mahmoud Ershadi, Marcus Jefferies, Peter Rex Davis and Mohammad Mojtahedi

The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to identify major project management (PM) complexities in principal construction contracting; and second, to study the contribution of…

848

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to identify major project management (PM) complexities in principal construction contracting; and second, to study the contribution of project management offices (PMOs) to addressing such complexities.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage research design was adopted through a structured literature review (SLR) and a qualitative survey study.

Findings

The two-stage study resulted in mapping out the contribution of 10 functional areas to 15 complexity factors that were retrieved from the literature and categorized using the TOE (technical, organizational and environmental) framework. Six outcomes including (1) facilitated processes, (2) improved decisions, (3) improved coordination, (4) enhanced alignment, (5) addressed uncertainties and (6) integrated oversight were identified that describe how PMOs can contribute to tackling complexities.

Research limitations/implications

Similar to other qualitative studies, this study has some limitations in terms of the replicability of results. Regarding the exploratory nature of this study to explain the contribution of PMO to complexity, further quantitative surveys can be conducted using a larger sample to statistically examine the significance of proposed relations between capabilities and complexity factors.

Practical implications

This study provides an understanding of the contribution of PMOs to tackling ever-increasing complexities embedded in construction contracting. The authors suggest requirements to be considered by professionals toward overcoming such complexities.

Originality/value

Although prior studies have separately investigated PMO functions and PM complexities, this study explores the link between these two spheres to discuss one important application of PMO in this context.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

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