Georgy, M E; Chang, L M and Zhang, L (2005) Utility-function model for engineering performance assessment. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 131(5), pp. 558-568. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Engineering and design activities constitute a critical link in a project's life cycle. Thus, an efficient project control system requires an instrument to measure and assess engineering performance among different projects. In conventional industry practices, the measurement of engineering performance is usually tied to the production of design documents during the detailed design phase of the project. Realizing the far-reaching impacts of engineering activities, researchers in the past have investigated other comprehensive measures of engineering performance that address the entire project life cycle. As part of a study for the Construction Industry Institute, this particular research employs a multiple attribute utility function method for the collective assessment of engineering performance in construction projects. The paper begins with a summary of previous studies in the area of engineering performance measurement and assessment. Afterwards, the concept of engineering performance is thoroughly explained. The paper then reviews the background and basic theories of using utility functions in assessing engineering performance, along with an illustrative example of the functionality of this approach. The paper goes on to show the development of the utility function model for the industrial construction sector through expert opinion and real project data. The use of the model is further illustrated in the assessment of total and relative engineering performance. Lastly, conclusions of this study are drawn and potential future work is pointed out.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | measurement; performance evaluation; productivity |
| Index terms: | project control, performance assessment, industrial construction, design phase, Construction Industry Institute, productivity, life cycle, performance measurement, performance evaluation, documents, construction project, functionality, project data |
| Subjects: | value management, control systems, data collection methods, research organizations, professional practice, design features, professional development, production management, management, performance measurement, building construction, assessment methods |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Human Resources, Design Practice, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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