Graham, L D and Smith, S D (2004) A method for effectively implementing construction process productivity estimation models. In: Khosrowshahi, F (ed.) Proceedings of 20th Annual ARCOM Conference, 1-3 September 2004, Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract
The international research community have proposed many accurate models for estimating the productivity of construction processes. Few of these models permit practical implementation at the early stages of a construction project, and therefore are of limited use to construction practitioners. For example, contractors require accurate estimates of productivity in the early stages of a project, to avoid being lumbered with an inadequate quantity of plant at the construction stage. This paper considers the earthmoving process, and examines the effect of inadequate resources on productivity. The causes of under-resourced operations are discussed and a dynamic modelling framework is proposed as a method to prevent this phenomenon. Dynamic modelling can be applied to any modelling method and constitutes: separating the operation into planning stages; choosing the variables which are known and significant at each stage; building a model based on those variables. The framework is applied and validated for a linear regression model of earthmoving productivity, providing acceptable results. The accuracy of the results from the model could be improved by the adoption of the principles of concurrent engineering. Finally, the implementation of dynamic modelling in simulation, case-based reasoning and neural networks is discussed.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | estimating; planning; modelling; productivity |
| Index terms: | construction process, concurrent engineering, construction project, dynamic modelling, modelling, earthmoving, estimate, implementation, estimating, regression model, case-based reasoning, productivity, neural network, accuracy, construction practitioner, estimation |
| Subjects: | statistical analysis, building construction, cognitive psychology, production management, professional development, management, engineering methods, artificial intelligence, construction operations, contractual arrangements, financial and cost management, analytical methods, modelling and simulation |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Project Management, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Procurement, Digital Applications, Site Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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