Sarshar, M; Haigh, R; Finnemore, M; Aouad, G; Barrett, P; Baldry, D and Sexton, M (2000) Spice: A business process diagnostics tool for construction projects. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 7(3), pp. 241-250. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
The construction sector is under growing pressure to increase productivity and improve quality, most notably in reports by Latham (1994, Constructing the Team, HMSO, London) and Egan (1998, Rethinking Construction, HMSO, London). A major problem for construction companies is the lack of project predictability. One method of increasing predictability and delivering increased customer value is through the systematic management of construction processes. However, the industry has no methodological mechanism to assess process capability and prioritise process improvements. Standardized Process Improvement for Construction Enterprises (SPICE) is a research project that is attempting to develop a stepwise process improvement framework for the construction industry, utilizing experience from the software industry, and in particular the Capability Maturity Model (CMM), which has resulted in significant productivity improvements in the software industry. This paper introduces SPICE concepts and presents the results from two case studies conducted on design and build projects. These studies have provided further in-sight into the relevance and accuracy of the framework, as well as its value for the construction sector.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | capability maturity model; process assessment; process capability; process enablers; process improvement; standardized process improvement for construction enterprises |
| Index terms: | process improvement, construction company, accuracy, construction project, capability maturity model, construction process, construction sector, design and build, Latham, case study, productivity, London, construction industry |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, organization, contractual arrangements, production management, Geography, professional development, management, industry analysis, industry policy reports, building construction |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project Management, Governance, Procurement, Site Management |
| 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