Hu, W and Panthi, K (2020) Project status reporting system (PSRS) for pipeline relocation programs. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 10(5), pp. 693-708. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: Successful performance and execution of construction projects depend highly on a good project control system capable of tracking and reporting project status on a desired time interval. The purpose of this paper is to propose such a control system by integrating spreadsheet and Visual Basic for Application to produce a customized tracking system for Pipeline Relocation Programs under Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) contracts. Design/methodology/approach: The project status reporting system (PSRS) proposed here was developed to produce a single page summary report that would include scope information, financial status, descriptive status updates and top-level task schedules. This information is retrieved from various sources and transformed further utilizing specific formulas and algorithm needed to compute the budget and schedule status of the pipe relocation project. A practical case study is used to demonstrate its unique application. Findings: The system has successfully integrated project finance and schedule information into a central control hub. Financial and schedule performance of a project is tracked and monitored by the PSRS automatically. Originality/value: The proposed system utilizes the powerful computing capability of MS Excel and the user-friendly VBA programming tool to customize the reporting needs of a project and program environment. The proposed system, whose functionality has been validated by the intended users, tries to achieve a balance between simplicity, accuracy and effectiveness for the flow of information at a much lower cost compared to the other readily available project control software.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | earned value; excel; pipeline relocation; project status; reporting; vba |
| Index terms: | programming, effectiveness, computing, control system, construction project, program, methodology, project finance, project control, project status reporting, schedule performance, case study, pipeline, spreadsheet, relocation, accuracy, functionality |
| Subjects: | project controls, market analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, performance management, software systems, research methods, financial management, professional development, production management, monitoring and control, design features, data science, data collection methods, control systems, computing systems, programming |
| Topics: | Time Control, Quality Management, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Research Practice, Project Management, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Cost Management, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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