Arashpour, M; Wakefield, R; Blismas, N and Lee, E W M (2013) A new approach for modelling variability in residential construction projects. Construction Economics and Building, 13(2), pp. 83-92. ISSN 2204-9029
Abstract
The construction industry is plagued by long cycle times caused by variability in the supply chain. Variations or undesirable situations are the result of factors such as non-standard practices, work site accidents, inclement weather conditions and faults in design. This paper uses a new approach for modelling variability in construction by linking relative variability indicators to processes. The mass homebuilding sector was chosen as the scope of the analysis because data is readily available. Numerous simulation experiments were designed by varying size of capacity buffers in front of trade contractors, availability of trade contractors, and level of variability in homebuilding processes. The measurements were shown to lead to an accurate determination of relationships between these factors and production parameters. The variability indicator was found to dramatically affect the tangible performance measures such as home completion rates. This study provides for future analysis of the production homebuilding sector, which may lead to improvements in performance and a faster product delivery to homebuyers.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | computer simulaion; optimim level of work-in-process inventory; production; project management; queuing; residential construction; variability in supply chain |
| Index terms: | modelling, construction industry, performance measure, simulation experiment, variability, trade contractor, project management, weather, product delivery, variation, inventory, buffer, residential construction |
| Subjects: | modelling and simulation, industry analysis, product delivery, statistical analysis, analytical methods, performance measurement, construction integration, air quality, inventory management, contractual condition, project management theory and practice, financial risk, practitioner |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Contract Administration, Quality Management, Supply Chain Management, Digital Applications |
| 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