Barbosa Resende, C (2021) Post-construction evaluation for work zones and construction engineers' training. PhD thesis, Iowa State University, USA.
Abstract
Evaluation in construction projects can be seen as a judgment of the project, and it is a way to find out what could improve in the project. The project evaluation could be discussed with the project participants and other people in the company, bringing feedback through communication. This feedback could generate lessons learned, finding what could improve, but also how to do it. Lessons learned can be documented, and they can later be used to solve a problem in different projects. This study focuses on those three steps, (i) evaluation, (ii) feedback, and (iii) lessons learned. A case study was performed in order to understand what exists in different departments of transportation across the United States of America regarding those three steps. This case study involved a survey design along with a descriptive analysis, and content analysis. Based on the results of this case study, an evaluation process involving those steps was developed. The process suggests the use of scorecards to help with evaluation, along with a lessons learned form that guides lessons learned documentation and communication. A maturity model was also developed to help departments of transportation employees understand what currently exists in their companies and where to start with the process in order to improve evaluation, feedback, and lessons learned along with the company. Based on this process, a training was developed to help people in different departments of transportation to implement the process, showing examples of how and when to use the process. The training was delivered asynchronously so that it would be self-directed, and it was given the opportunity to take the training as a group to increase interaction. The training was tested with a small group in order to get feedback on the training content, delivery, and use. Based on the feedback, the process developed could be applicable to help agencies perform evaluations and document lessons learned, improving overall project results for the company.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Jennifer, S |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | engineering training; evaluation; feedback; lessons learned; work zone management |
| Index terms: | interaction, project evaluation, engineer, maturity model, judgment, United States of America, case study, agency, lessons learned, lessons learned documentation, construction project, scorecard, content analysis, survey, training evaluation |
| Subjects: | Geography, production management, evaluation, behavioral psychology, assessment methods, knowledge management, professional development, performance measurement, sociology, value management, dispute resolution, profession, data collection methods, data analysis and analytics |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Legal Issues, Education, Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Information Management, Roles and Professions |
| 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