Austin, R B; Pishdad-Bozorgi, P and De La Garza, J M (2016) Identifying and prioritizing best practices to achieve flash track projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 142(2): 04015077, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
This paper presents the initial findings of an ongoing research effort focused on identifying, quantifying, and ranking essential industry practices for the successful delivery of faster fast-track, or Flash Track, projects. The research data collection involves literature search, engineering, procurement, construction industry interviews, and discussions with an industry expert panel. This research has extensively explored and analyzed U.S. and international practices and has deeply explored project execution practices in industries other than construction, including manufacturing, shipbuilding, and software engineering/development. The methodology employed in this research entails deployment of a three-round Delphi process and an Analytic Hierarchy Process to produce a comprehensive list of prioritized recommendations on essential Flash Track practices. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by identifying and ranking 18 industry best practices essential to successfully manage the unique challenges and risks inherent in Flash Track projects. This research finds that planning, execution, and organizational practices are the most essential considerations for successful Flash Tracking. It also highlights the central role of trusting relationships and fully integrated work teams and, in doing so, extends earlier studies calling for innovative approaches, rethinking prevailing practices, and entertaining a new paradigm in Flash Track projects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | co-location; concurrent engineering; design-construction integration; fast track; flash track; project acceleration; project planning and design; relational contracting; schedule-driven projects; trust |
| Index terms: | interview, body of knowledge, international practice, project planning, integration, methodology, software engineering, shipbuilding, relational contracting, prioritizing, construction industry, acceleration, paradigm, best practice, co-location, concurrent engineering |
| Subjects: | education and knowledge transfer, research methods, engineering methods, software systems, industry analysis, project controls, organizational analysis, decision analysis, control systems, strategic management, data collection methods, business, contractual arrangements, knowledge management, operations management |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Project Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Risk Management, Procurement, International Construction, Site Management, Organizational Design, Time Control |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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