Kashiwagi, D; Chong, N; Costilla, M; McMenimen, F and Egbu, C (2004) Impact of six sigma on construction performance. In: Khosrowshahi, F (ed.) Proceedings of 20th Annual ARCOM Conference, 1-3 September 2004, Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract
This research proposes that to implement a continuous improvement type process in construction the following requirements must be met: create a performance based environment which differentiates performance and value, run a performance based process where the risk is minimized by high performance contractors instead of the client's professional representative, and use a non-technical performance information process. Six Sigma is a rigorous process to minimize risk and deviation. The core of Six Sigma is DMAIC, define, measure, analyse, improve, and control. The result of Six Sigma will be an increased efficiency, improvement in performance, and the control of performance problems (not on time, on budget, and meeting quality expectations). Efforts in the construction industry to apply concepts of Six Sigma have been inconsequential due to a price based environment. This paper defines a performance or value based environment which processes such as Six Sigma can be implemented successfully. This is currently being tested in the United States by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA). The implementation of Six Sigma concepts has been difficult due to the institutionalisation of technical management, control, and inspection concepts which are not performance based.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | continuous improvement; delivery process; non-performance; performance-based; six sigma |
| Index terms: | deviation, construction performance, continuous improvement, inspection, institutionalization, efficiency, six sigma, United States, aviation, implementation, construction industry, performance-based |
| Subjects: | quality assurance, industry analysis, sociology, Geography, performance management, performance measurement, financial and cost management, contractual arrangements, performance assessment |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Procurement, Cost Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Site Management, Quality 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