Khalfan, M M A; Anumba, C J and Carrillo, P M (2005) Concurrent engineering readiness assessment tool for construction. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 1(3), pp. 163-179. ISSN 1745-2007
Abstract
The adoption of concurrent engineering (CE) within the software and manufacturing industries has led to significant benefits including improved time-to-market, reduced production cost, improved product quality and active customer involvement. The implementation of CE within construction is also expected to result in positive changes within the industry, as CE has the potential to make construction projects less fragmented, improve project quality, reduce construction time and cut total project cost. It is considered essential within other industries to carry out a readiness assessment of an organization before implementing CE. Therefore, to facilitate the adoption of CE within the construction industry, it is necessary to assess the extent to which organizations in the industry are ready for CE. This would help an organization to view its current performance and areas of weakness so that corrective action could be taken. This paper discusses CE and its implementation within the construction industry and highlights the need for CE readiness assessment. It argues that there is a need for a specific readiness assessment tool for the construction industry and describes the development of a CE readiness assessment model for the construction industry—the BEACON model. The benefits of using the BEACON model are discussed and strategies and considerations for CE implementation are outlined.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BEACON model; concurrent engineering |
| Index terms: | implementation, construction industry, construction time, construction project, concurrent engineering, readiness assessment, manufacturing industry, strategy, product quality, project cost, production cost |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, quality assurance, project controls, production management, management, manufacturing engineering, economics, engineering methods, contractual arrangements, risk assessment |
| Topics: | Procurement, Risk Management, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Time Control, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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