Leblanc, H; Thomson, C; Cameron, I and Nitithamyong, P (2013) Developing a planned work process model for housing associations. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 20(3), pp. 232-249. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose - Improving process management within construction projects has been the source of academic and policy research for decades, and continues to be today. This paper seeks to focuses on the relatively under investigated management of Housing Association (HA) planned works and aims to improve this often ill-defined process by developing a Planned Work Process Model (PWPM) that aids the definition of the phases and activities. Design/methodology/approach - First step in developing the process model was through semi-structured interviews with 11 HA practitioners allowing for the identification of 20 planned works activities. Second step considered the responses of 7 HA practitioners to a set of questions about the 20 activities leading to the development of an initial Process Model (PM). Third step contextualises the PM within four case studies with HAs of different sizes from which the PWPM emerged. Finally, the PWPM was validated by a panel of HA practitioners. Findings - The PWPM is a process model specific to the practices of HAs in the UK. It represents the first step for process management improvement for planned works by providing a structure to facilitate project planning and performance monitoring. Research limitations/implications - A panel of HA practitioners recognised the uniqueness and value of the PWPM especially in the context of new staff induction and progress monitoring. Further refinement of the PWPM would be possible through a large survey to help improve its practical applicability and refining the activities description and vocabulary. Originality/value - This research will be of interest to those responsible for planning and delivering HA planned works since it presents a tailored interpretation of the project process that currently does not exist.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | housing association; planned works; process modelling; social housing |
| Index terms: | process modelling, interview, survey, performance monitoring, practitioner, process management, methodology, progress monitoring, construction project, housing association, project planning, case study, policy research, social housing |
| Subjects: | research management, housing and residential development, project controls, production management, monitoring and control systems, research methods, management, design analysis, institutional client, control systems, practitioner, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Governance, Business Strategy, Project Management, Research Practice, Time Control, Urban Studies, Design Practice |
| 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