Elnaas H, A P G K (2013) A decision evaluation model to choose between manufacturing off-site or on-site methods for construction of house building projects. In: Smith, S D and Ahiaga-Dagbui, D D (eds.) Proceedings of 29th Annual ARCOM Conference, 2-4 September 2013, Reading, UK.
Abstract
Despite the wealth of knowledge and information on off-site manufacturing systems, current decision making models do not adequately provide a clear cut choice between using offsite manufacture of building elements and onsite in-situ construction, especially at the pre-construction stage. This paper describes the development of a Decision Evaluation Model (DEM) that provides this opportunity particularly for house building projects. The primary objective of the model is to improve the quality of information on which the decision is based. Having carried out an extensive literature review, primary research data and information was collected from 30 structured interviews, questionnaires completed by 30 selected respondents, and 30 case studies made up of 15 manufacturing 'offsite' projects and 15 projects using 'onsite' construction methods. A robust set of factors have been identified, measured and ranked according to their significance in the decision. Using these factors, a methodology has been developed to measure and evaluate the characteristics of a project, which forms the core of the DEM. The developed model enables decision makers to clearly establish whether to use offsite or onsite construction as a construction strategy. The DEM model provides the opportunity to assist the construction practitioners and clients in making decisions based on adequate data and predictable outcomes against any given project within its environment.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | decision making; decision evaluation; construction strategy; off-site manufacturing |
| Index terms: | questionnaire, in-situ, decision-making, methodology, case study, interview, off-site manufacturing, onsite, construction practitioner, construction method, literature review, strategy, pre-construction |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, data analysis and analytics, project delivery, management, manufacturing engineering, research methods, professional development, building construction, decision analysis |
| Topics: | Site Management, Risk Management, Construction Technology, Business Strategy, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Project Management |
| 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