Morris, J; Rogerson, J and Jared, G (1998) A tool for modelling the briefing and design decision making processes in construction. In: Hughes, W (ed.) Proceedings of 14th Annual ARCOM Conference, 9-11 September 1998, Reading, UK.
Abstract
Phase 1 of the Link IDAC project The Development of Decision Making Tools for Controlled Innovation in Construction focused on process mapping of the change order request system, using historical data from a number of case studies. The change order request system facilitates request and approval of contract issue design changes and can be thought of as analogous to the management of rework in manufacturing. This analysis demonstrated the potential for improving design decisions. The current phase includes an investigation of the criteria used to choose between options when making design decisions. This will provide insight into the causes of design deficiency so that the decision making process can be made more efficient. This paper describes the development of an electronic data gathering tool which is being used to model the briefing and decision making processes on several live projects. The tool is being used to record functional requirements, the designers visibility of design issues at the time the functional requirement was identified, and information regarding the mechanics of the briefing process. The tool is also recording the subsequent design decisions which are being made to meet those functional requirements, the options which are considered and the reasons why a particular option is selected or rejected. Details are given of the underlying philosophy and systematization of the tool, together with how it is to be used and how the data is to be collated and analysed.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | briefing; data-gathering tool; design decisions; modelling; variations |
| Index terms: | decision-making process, mapping, option, investigation, design change, design decision, philosophy, case study, decision-making, approval, change order, modelling, briefing, designer, rework, construction phase, variation |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, project delivery, philosophical studies, analytical methods, spatial and geospatial analysis, operations management, scope management, decision analysis, contractual role, profession, data collection methods, contractual condition, design practice |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Design Practice, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Risk Management, Contract Administration, Procurement, Project Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here