Abdulhadi, N H (1997) Simulation as a tool for re-engineering construction processes. PhD thesis, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA.
Abstract
The construction industry is the largest industry in the United States. Accordingly, its condition and efficiency is critical to the economy. Unfortunately, the construction industry's well being is at risk as documented by several Construction Industry Institute (CII) task forces and many other researchers. Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) is the latest management philosophy. BPR is particularly relevant to the construction industry because of its premise to simplify complex processes, integrate data, streamline information flow, and eliminate rework. To adopt BPR, construction companies need a formal BPR methodology that is capable of handling complex processes. Existing BPR methodologies use simplistic tools and follow inadequate approach to re-engineering. This study advocates the use of discrete event simulation as a tool that overcomes these shortcomings. Two simulation models are built and used to test the effectiveness of simulation as a dynamic tool, and enabler of a system approach. These models introduce several "complex" and "simple" mechanisms that govern the interactions between "decision" and "system" variables. These mechanisms provide insights into the effects of overlap, changes, and re-engineering efforts on the cycle time and cost of a construction project. Finally, a case study is used to illustrate the side effects of sub-optimization within BPR efforts.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Diekmann, J E |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | philosophy; construction project; United States; business process re-engineering; case study; simulation |
| Index terms: | methodology, construction process, well-being, construction project, United States, business process re-engineering, rework, philosophy, construction company, information flow, effectiveness, construction industry, interaction, efficiency, case study, discrete event simulation, Construction Industry Institute |
| Subjects: | building construction, behavioral psychology, information systems, philosophical studies, industry analysis, research methods, performance management, production management, Geography, operations management, modelling and simulation, business, mental health and wellbeing, organization, data collection methods, research organizations |
| Topics: | Site Management, Digital Applications, Quality Management, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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