Elliott, B R (2000) Investigation of the construction scheduling communication process: Problems, foreman's role, means of improvement and use of information technology. PhD thesis, University of Florida, USA.
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to improve the construction scheduling communication process. The study focuses on construction foremen working on general commercial building projects, and explores how the construction scheduling communication process may be improved through the role of foremen. A key objective is to investigate the concept of foremen using handheld computer/communication devices as a means of improving effectiveness and efficiency in the scheduling communication process. Several primary research questions provide a framework for exploring how the construction scheduling communication process may be improved through the role of the construction foreman: (1) What problems exist in the scheduling communication process? (2) What is the role of foremen in the scheduling communication process? (3) How can the scheduling communication process be improved? Procedures used to answers these questions include survey instrument design, sample selection, personal interviews, and statistical analysis. Data collected includes demographic information about the project and individual being interviewed, foremen's role in the initial planning process, use of written schedules on projects, attitudes about scheduling, documentation practices, sources of delay, and exposure to and use of computer technology. Consistency of results between two sample groups is evaluated with the Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon W tests. Correlation testing is performed using Kendall's tau-b in order to identify the independent variables which are correlated with foremen's acceptance of handheld computer/communication technology. Multiple linear regression analysis is performed to identify characteristics of foremen which predict their acceptance of technology. Results are found to be highly significant (P < 0.01). This study identifies problems in the scheduling communication process. Results show that foremen are partially excluded from the flow of information within the scheduling communication process, thereby reducing their efficiency in coordinating the work, and that delays often occur due to problems involving the flow of information. Results suggest that the scheduling communication process can be improved by increasing foremen's involvement in the scheduling process and by enabling foremen to access the information they need to coordinate the work. This study also demonstrates foremen's general acceptance of existing computer technology which has the potential to facilitate such improvements.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Alexander, J F |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | commercial building; communication; documentation; information technology; scheduling; regression analysis; statistical analysis; interview |
| Index terms: | planning process, efficiency, construction scheduling, independent variable, statistical analysis, investigation, effectiveness, testing, regression analysis, interview, scheduling, documentation, survey, commercial building, exposure, information technology |
| Subjects: | performance management, public and environmental health, professional development, project controls, statistical analysis, construction type, data collection methods, computing systems, operations research, data science, professional practice |
| Topics: | Construction Technology, Health and Safety, Research Practice, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Time Control, Digital Applications, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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