Construction Project Control Research Articles

Discussion about the Efficient Management and Control of Construction Projects′ Cost

The management and control of the construction project’ cost is throughout the course of construction projects. The owner should exercise economic supervision and control over whole process from decision-making, designing, inviting bits, constructing to completing. Based on the status, this article has carried on detailed analysis of the whole process management and control of the construction projects’ cost, and put forward improving the levels of cost management and control by the information technology.

Operation Performance Comprehensive Evaluation of Execution Control System in Freeway Construction Project

The evaluation index of execution control system of freeway construction project is established in this paper. And Delphi method is adapted to analyze the weights of index system. Then the extension comprehensive assessment method is adapted to analyze the execution control system performance of a key freeway construction project, and the corresponding suggestions and countermeasures are given. The goal of this kind of performance evaluation method is clear, and the maneuverability is strong. It has good stimulative effect for the real-time execution, control and adjustment of freeway construction project.

Study on the Establishment of Integration Cost Dynamic Model of Construction Project

Based on the study of the influencing law of decision point to cost in the construction process, this paper analyzes the relevance of decision procedure and project cost, establishes integration cost dynamic model of construction project. Based on the model, computer aided decision system can be developed for the cost control of construction project. If the system is applied in the construction practice, overall, whole process and dynamic control of construction project cost can be implemented.

Study on the Establishment of Integration Cost Dynamic Model of Construction Project

Based on the study of the influencing law of decision point to cost in the construction process, this paper analyzes the relevance of decision procedure and project cost, establishes integration cost dynamic model of construction project. Based on the model, computer aided decision system can be developed for the cost control of construction project. If the system is applied in the construction practice, overall, whole process and dynamic control of construction project cost can be implemented.

How to Use Lean Construction to Control the Implicit Quality Costs in Construction Projects

It is a difficult problem to control the implicit quality cost in the cost control of construction project. This text discussed the implementing of lean construction, aiming at control the implicit quality costs in construction projects effectively by the way of lean construction.

Integrated visualized time control system for repetitive construction projects

Construction control is an essential management function for successful delivery and achieving of construction projects’ goals. Considerable research efforts have been done regarding project control. However, literature suffers from a lack of visualizing the controlling process. With the growth of using visualization techniques in construction, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Geographic Information System (GIS) have recently attained a widespread contribution in visualization of construction progress. BIM is a process of creating virtual models data that represents building facilities. In this research, BIM represents a platform for nD (n-Dimensional) visualization of construction progress. The advantages of this paper stems from three main contributions for construction projects control: 1) developing of a mathematical model for time control of repetitive construction projects; 2) an automated system to dynamically integrate project progress with BIM technique; and 3) a GIS-based tool to visualize the progress of distributed sites. The developed model provides abundant information to help decision makers take the appropriate corrective actions. An example application is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the developed system.

A competency model for project construction team and project control team

This study focuses on developing a competency model for project construction team and project control team service, which are the essential responsibilities of construction companies, in order to provide a basic framework for manpower development including employment, education, performance measurement, and organizational ability improvement. Together, these attributes comprise the basics of human resource management and reflect the key characteristics of construction companies. This study analyzed several previous competency model studies, and derived job competency items from a questionnaire-based survey of corresponding job performers centering on various existing competency items established with respect to the characteristics of construction companies. In addition, through interviews with a specialist group, this study derived weights for setting competency levels and facilitating competency evaluation and formulated a project construction team and project control team affair competency model for construction companies. This study tested the validity of the formulated model by analyzing its correlation with the performance of actual construction projects.

The enhancement of simulation based learning exercises through formalised reflection, focus groups and group presentation

Computer based simulations and games can be useful tools in teaching aspects of construction project management that are not easily transmitted through traditional lecture based approaches. However, it can be difficult to quantify their utility and it is essential to ensure that students are achieving the learning outcomes required rather than just learning to play a game. Maintaining engagement and encouraging reflection are critical elements in ensuring that effective learning is occurring. Recent work using simulation games for teaching construction project planning and control is described with reference to a range of methods employed by the authors. The paper focuses on a teaching module at the University of Nottingham employing simulation games as the primary source of instruction in a self-directed learning exercise. This style of teaching is not suited to all students and current work to extend the learning experience to suit a wider audience is described. Preliminary findings from the work are given along with discussion of plans for further development.

Cost and time control of construction projects: inhibiting factors and mitigating measures in practice

Despite the availability of various control techniques and project control software many construction projects still do not achieve their cost and time objectives. Research in this area so far has mainly been devoted to identifying causes of cost and time overruns. There is limited research geared towards studying factors inhibiting the ability of practitioners to effectively control their projects. To fill this gap, a survey was conducted on 250 construction project organizations in the UK, which was followed by face‐to‐face interviews with experienced practitioners from 15 of these organizations. The common factors that inhibit both time and cost control during construction projects were first identified. Subsequently 90 mitigating measures have been developed for the top five leading inhibiting factors—design changes, risks/uncertainties, inaccurate evaluation of project time/duration, complexities and non‐performance of subcontractors were recommended. These mitigating measures were classified as: preventive, predictive, corrective and organizational measures. They can be used as a checklist of good practice and help project managers to improve the effectiveness of control of their projects.

Data acquisition from construction sites for tracking purposes

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to develop a tracking and control system that automates the process of data collection from construction sites for fast and accurate measurement of work progress.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed system integrates different data acquisition hardware and software technologies including barcoding, radio frequency identification (RFID), laser distance and ranging (LADAR), digital images, and a tablet PC as integrating media.FindingsThe paper briefly highlights the advantages and limitations associated with each technology, and presents a methodology that best utilizes these technologies in an integrated system. At the core of the developed system is its database, which is designed to organize and store data collected from construction sites in a way that supports the developed methodology in progress reporting.Practical implicationsThe accuracy and timeliness of these reports are crucial for management teams to take corrective actions, if needed, so as to assist in delivering projects on time and within budget.Originality/valueThe paper presents the layout of an IT platform designed to facilitate automated data acquisition from construction sites to support efficient time and cost tracking and control of construction projects. The system presented is capable of capturing text, numerical and graphical data to report efficiently on the progress of a project.

Nondominated Archiving Multicolony Ant Algorithm in Time–Cost Trade-Off Optimization

Time–cost trade-off analysis is addressed as an important aspect of any construction project planning and control. Nonexistence of a unique solution makes the time–cost trade-off problems very difficult to tackle. As a combinatorial optimization problem one may apply heuristics or mathematical programming techniques to solve time–cost trade-off problems. In this paper, a new multicolony ant algorithm is developed and used to solve the time–cost multiobjective optimization problem. Pareto archiving together with innovative solution exchange strategy are introduced which are highly efficient in developing the Pareto front and set of nondominated solutions in a time–cost optimization problem. An 18-activity time–cost problem is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the well-known weighted method to develop the nondominated solutions in a combinatorial optimization problem. The paper is more relevant to researchers who are interested i...

Dynamic mobile RFID-based supply chain control and management system in construction

Construction project control attempts to effectively obtain real-time information and enhance dynamic control and management via information sharing and analysis from involved participants of the projects to reduce construction conflicts and project delay. However, extending the construction project control system to job sites is considered inefficient since construction sites are unconventional practice. Integrating promising information technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, mobile devices-PDA and web portals can help improve the effectiveness and convenience of information flow in construction supply chain control systems. Radio frequency identification is appropriate for various construction applications, and provides cost savings through increased speed and accuracy of data entry. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a RFID-based supply chain management application called the mobile construction RFID-based dynamic supply chain management (M-ConRDSCM) system in construction projects, demonstrating that it responds efficiently and enhances the information flow among offices and sites in a construction supply chain environment. The M-ConRDSCM system is then applied to a selected case study involving a High-Tech factory building in Taiwan to verify the proposed methodology and demonstrate the effectiveness of information sharing of project control in the construction phase. The advantage of the M-ConRDSCM system lies not only in improving work efficiency for on-site engineers, but also in providing dynamic operation control and management to enable project participants to control the whole project. Moreover, this study presents a generic system architecture and its implementation.

Estimating productivity using simulation

PurposeRecently, there has been increased interest in the use of simulation for real‐time planning, scheduling, control of construction projects and obtaining optimum productivity. The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate the use of simulation as an effective tool for estimating production rates in an attempt to prepare optimal time schedules.Design/methodology/approachGaza Beach‐Camp Shore Protection Project was taken as a case study. The case study is used to demonstrate how to estimate effectively the production rates of labour and equipment during the implementation of the project activities and to estimate the duration of the project using process simulation. The model simulates the construction of 1,600 m of gabions divided into 32 identical stations. Probabilistic distribution functions were used to fit the time functions for each process and sub‐process based on 100 replications.FindingsThe simulation output generated three probabilistic values for completing each activity upon which the overall project completion time is determined. The resources utilizations for all processes were also generated and used in the determination of the average production rates.Originality/valueThe computation of productivity based on effective resources utilization has been demonstrated to give better results than estimating productivity based on aggregate resources assignments.

Forecasting Project Status by Using Fuzzy Logic

This paper describes a forecasting method for predicting potential cost overruns and schedule delays on construction projects. The output of the forecasting method is useful in evaluating the project status at different time horizons and in quantifying the impact of the performance indicators on the profitability of the job. The method is intended for use by members of project teams in performing integrated time and cost control of construction projects. The paper addresses the effects of a number of factors, referred to in the developed method as indicators, on project cost overruns and schedule delays using fuzzy logic. The proposed forecasting method has been implemented in a prototype that operates in the World Wide Web environment. It has an open architecture that allows users to actively interact and, accordingly, makes use of their own experience and knowledge in the forecasting process. An example project is analyzed to test the developed prototype, demonstrate the use of the proposed method, and to illustrate its capabilities.

Construction equipment productivity estimation using artificial neural network model

Estimating equipment production rates is both an art and a science. An accurate prediction of the productivity of earthmoving equipment is critical for accurate construction planning and project control. Owing to the unique work requirements and changeable environment of each construction project, the influences of job and management factors on operation productivity are often very complex. Hence, construction productivity estimation, even for an operation with well‐known equipment and work methods, can be challenging. This study develops and compares two methods for estimating construction productivity of dozer operations (the transformed regression analysis, and a non‐linear analysis using neural network model). It is the hypothesis of this study that the proposed neural networks model may improve productivity estimation models because of the neural network's inherent ability to capture non‐linearity and the complexity of the changeable environment of each construction project. The comparison of results suggests that the non‐linear artificial neural network (ANN) has the potential to improve the equipment productivity estimation model.

Mobile Construction Supply Chain Management Using PDA and Bar Codes

Abstract: Construction project control aims to effectively obtain real‐time information and enhance dynamic control by utilizing information sharing and connecting involved participants of the projects to reduce construction conflicts and project delays. However, extending the construction project control system to job sites is not considered efficient because using notebooks in a harsh environment like a construction site is not particularly a conventional practice. Meanwhile, paper‐based documents of the site processes are ineffective and cannot get the quick response from the office and project control center. Integrating promising information technologies such as personal digital assistants (PDA), bar code scanning, and data entry mechanisms, can be extremely useful in improving the effectiveness and convenience of information flow in construction supply chain control systems. Bar code scanning is appropriate for several construction applications, providing cost savings through increased speed and accuracy of data entry. This article demonstrates the effectiveness of a bar‐code‐enabled PDA application, called the mobile construction supply chain management (M‐ConSCM) System, that responds efficiently and enhances the information flow between offices and sites in a construction supply chain environment. The advantage of the M‐ConSCM system lies not only in improving the efficiency of work for on‐site engineers, but also providing the Kanban‐like visual control system for project participants to control the whole project. Moreover, this article presents a generic system architecture and its implementation.

Field Experiments in Automated Monitoring of Road Construction

The growing need for better monitoring and control of road construction projects, together with rapid technological progress, have led to a number of interesting developments, which are reviewed below. The present paper describes the development of a real-time monitoring model capable of measuring productivity and progress automatically. The model, which uses global positioning system for on-site automated data collection, was tested and validated on site. The results of the field experiments have indicated that the expected accuracy level of the model can be assessed as ±4–5% for unstructured activities and even higher for more structured ones, such as asphalt spreading. The paper concludes that it is possible to automatically measure the performance of earthmoving operations. Based on the results, it also highlights the needs for further research.

Fuzzy Logic Approach for Activity Delay Analysis and Schedule Updating

This paper presents a fuzzy logic model that integrates daily site reporting of activity progress and delays, with a schedule updating and forecasting system for construction project monitoring and control. The model developed assists in the analysis of the effects of delays on a project's completion date and consists of several components: An as-built database integrated with project scheduling; a list of potential causes for delays; a procedure to categorize delays; a method of estimating delay durations utilizing fuzzy logic; a procedure that updates the schedule; and, a procedure that evaluates the effects and likely consequences of delays on activity progress. This model is of relevance to researchers since it makes a contribution in project scheduling by developing a complete approach for handling the uncertainty inherent in schedule updating and activity delay analysis. It also advances the application of fuzzy logic in construction. It is of relevance to construction industry practitioners since it provides them with a useful technique for incorporating as-built data into the schedule, assessing the impact of delays on the schedule, and updating the schedule to reflect the consequences of delays and corrective actions taken. The use of fuzzy logic in the model allows linguistic and subjective assessments to be made, and thereby suits the actual practices commonly used in industry.

Applying Pareto Ranking and Niche Formation to Genetic Algorithm-Based Multiobjective Time–Cost Optimization

Time–cost optimization (TCO) is one of the greatest challenges in construction project planning and control, since the optimization of either time or cost, would usually be at the expense of the other. Although the TCO problem has been extensively examined, many research studies only focused on minimizing the total cost for an early completion. This does not necessarily convey any reward to the contractor. However, with the increasing popularity of alternative project delivery systems, clients and contractors are more concerned about the combined benefits and opportunities of early completion as well as cost savings. In this paper, a genetic algorithms ( GAs ) -driven multiobjective model for TCO is proposed. The model integrates the adaptive weight to balance the priority of each objective according to the performance of the previous “generation.” In addition, the model incorporates Pareto ranking as a selection criterion and the niche formation techniques to improve popularity diversity. Based on the pr...

Automated project performance control of construction projects

Real-time control of on-site construction is a growing field still in its infancy. The most impressive developments to date are in the area of earthmoving operations where quality control tools and tools to support the functionality of earthmoving equipment operators have been introduced—the main ones are described in this paper. A number of research efforts to fully automate project performance control of various project performance indicators have been carried out at the Technion in recent years. These are also briefly described together with the concept of measuring indirect parameters and converting them into the sought indicators. These are (1) labor and earthmoving productivity based on measuring the location of workers or earthmoving equipment at regular time intervals; (2) progress based on the above data or data collected from a tower crane; (3) a comprehensive control of construction materials starting by monitoring orders and purchasing up to the movement of the materials on site; and (4) monitoring the status of guard rails to prevent falls from heights.