Vatterott, A G (2018) A multi-skilled approach to property maintenance considering temporal, spatial and resource constraints. PhD thesis, University of Missouri - Saint Louis, USA.
Abstract
With the continued increase in age of the United States housing and building stock, as well as the continued need to maintain properties across the U.S. , the need for timely, cost-optimal maintenance is ever more critical. This paper proposes the application of a mathematical model to aid in the scheduling and assignment of construction and maintenance tasks, considering the multi-skilled workforce. The benefit of this approach is to take advantage of the economies of scale that can be developed using cross-functional skilled workers with varying levels of competence and efficiency. This approach schedules and assigns tasks using data from maintenance task software datasets, using the least-cost, competent worker available for the job while also considering the trade-off between skilled labor cost and travel costs, both in terms of travel wage and vehicle wear and tear. The model is enhanced to include pairing between a mentor and an apprentice, where combined efficiency and pairing costs are considered at the same time as travel costs. Due to the practical nature of this research, a case organization was used and data from that firm was analyzed so that operational insights into the necessity of such a model could be considered. The mathematical backbone of the optimization approach to multi-skilled resource allocation considers the temporal and spatial demands of a geographically dispersed property management program. Actual, as opposed to sample, data allows us to evaluate the real financial implications on the case firm, if such an approach to scheduling is used. The generalization of this data provides excellent fit for a model that can be used to assign the best capable worker to the most cost-efficient task, considering deadlines, priorities and availability. Results of this scheduling approach provide significant cost and resource reductions over the historical firm performance, though practical considerations should temper that expectation. The above approach offers exceptional scalability and adaptability with the continued advancement of algorithm approaches to network-distribution and peer-to-peer work platforms.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Li, H and Womer, N K |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | competence; optimization; workforce; building stock; property management; resource allocation; scheduling; United States |
| Index terms: | skilled labour, United States, scheduling, mathematical model, building stock, program, competence, adaptability, resource constraint, dataset, housing, efficiency, resource allocation, platform, firm performance, skilled worker, property management |
| Subjects: | asset management, digital design, Geography, business analysis, operations management, operations research, user focus, construction type, data management, personnel development, software systems, performance management, management, resource management, real estate economics, mathematical modelling |
| Topics: | Time Control, Site Management, Human Resources, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Urban Studies, Construction Technology, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Quality Management, Geographical Context, Project Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
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