Assignment #4 Value Stream Mapping of passive RFID’s in the Construction process: A Qualitative Analysis 1. Introduction and Background As the projects increase in size so does the complexity of associated with them .Large scale projects require a systematic structure so as it stays on schedule and the costs are not escalated. To monitor and control the processes in the construction project the industry is moving towards autonomation. Autonomation of the construction projects has made the process transparent and simple. One such exemplary option of Autonomation is the use of RFID’s in the construction projects. They have been introduced a decade ago but are now being rigorously used. The RFID system provides real time access to data which helps the project teams in decision making process and has several other benefits leading to productivity increase .On the other hand the industry is vigorously diving into lean principles.“The term ‘lean’ refers to using less of everything during production – less labor, less manufacturing space, less equipment, less inventory, and less engineering inputs during development and processing – all of which results in fewer defects and more variety” (Russell, 2009, p. 721). Lean aids to reduce cost and increase profits. Therefore, it would be interesting to get both these phenomenon together as both aim at productivity increase amalgation of the two would lead to more improvements leading to better process flow in turn increasing
Hidan, L. (2011). Project management and engineering issues. Annals of the University Dunarea De Jos of Galati: Fascicle XIV, Mechanical Engineering. (1), pgs. 57-60
With the exceptional growth in technology, the present day projects are often large and complex involving a significant risk. So, a Project Management Methodology enables the delivery organization to handle these projects comprehensively, systematically and in an integrated manner, which results in strategic, tactical and operational benefits.
In the terminology of construction industry, the term Lean can be defined as the methodology adopted in the field of construction inclining towards innovative and technological advancements. Appropriate applications of these methods would result in the efficiency of the project, also, helps in limiting different types of wastages.
Construction projects are always unique and risks raise from a number of the different sources. Construction projects are inherently complex and dynamic, and involving multiple feedback processes. A lot of participants – individuals and organizations are actively involved in the construction project, and they interests may be positively or negatively affected as a result of the project execution or project completion. Different participants with different experience and skills usually have different expectations and interests. This naturally creates problems and confusion for even the most experienced project managers and contractors.
While projects can be similar in some instances, no two projects are ever the same. For this reason, management of projects requires the application of tools and techniques to meet the goals of the temporary endeavor. Project managers apply these tools and techniques to determine what is required for project delivery such as the list of activities to completed, the time required to complete the activities, resources needed and the various risks associated with the deliverable and efforts. A multitude of tools and techniques are employed by the project manager based on the need of the effort to organize, identify and communicate the various aspects of the project. While in contrast, the repetitive nature of operations activities
In general, IPD, Lean, or BIM is a particularly new controversial phenomenon in the construction industry that generates many debates and discussions around each component’s advantages and disadvantages, effectiveness, and potential risks (Guerra, 2010). As BIM’s complementary connection to IPD, there are numerous questions regarding requirements of using BIM in IPD-based projects. Like BIM-IPD considerations, is Lean construction really necessary for every IPD-related project or only enforced by the project team favor? Interestingly, many construction professionals question that whether or not IPD can implement without the use of BIM as well as Lean principles. One step at a time, these inquiries are still exploring by experts and analysts whereas attempting efforts of combining those three elements in construction projects are currently promoted as dominant worldwide tendencies. Thus, interdependent corporations of ILB need to be carefully evaluated in order to flawlessly synergy them in real world cases. Specific partnerships for each combination of two factors will be subsequently revealed and examined in next section. Figure 2.1 points out the MacLeamy Curve for construction phases and costs through perspectives of Construction Users Roundtable (CURT, 2004). As mentioned above, IPD, Lean construction, and BIM not only remarkable share numerous mutual characteristics and common goals in quality, cost, and time, they
Strong investment in Information technology to streamline information flows and product flows along supply chain(RFID, Retail-Link system)
The grocery industry which started in 1973 was the major industry to first use the Universal Product Code.
The future of our industry lies in how best we can integrate and communicate all our work with various stakeholders to manage a project efficiently. This has given rise to an area called construction informatics where a significant amount of research is being done. The area deals with a range of subjects from integration to interoperability and from knowledge mining to strategic management. This area came into existence from two fields. The first was the use of computers to design and carry out time and cost calculations. The other was for computers to categorize and store essential information. Currently, integration, interoperability, innovation along with strategic management of Information and Communication Technologies are the key areas of research of construction informatics (Isikdag 2009).
With the internet fast growing in the last twenty years, information technology is everywhere and it contributes a lot for traditional industry. But it’s not a simple task for traditional industry when integrate the engineering project management.
Managing the scope, complexity and costs of enterprise systems including information technology (IT) projects is very comparable to managing a complex construction project as well. Just as IT projects have many dependencies and complex requirements that serve to constrain scope and costs, the same holds true on large-scale construction projects as well (Chang, 2010). The essential elements of creating and using project schedules based on the Critical Path Method (CPM) and the pervasive use of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) are critical in both types of projects to ensure successful project completion (Capek, Sucha, Hanzálek, 2012). The lessons learned from the construction case analysis are presented in this paper.
Every function of the construction industry is being influenced by technological advancement and more activities in a construction project are now aided by a software. Emerging technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM), Cloud Computing, Mobile Computing and others have enabled the industry to not only improve tremendously in terms of productivity, but also in terms of quality through better coordination among multiple project participants, Training, Visualization and clash detection (Ahmad et al. 1995). Moreover, it is the adoption of these technologies and the relative skills of contractors in these that
Moving from a traditional way of managing construction project to lean will requires extra effort, not just changing the works procedure but far from that. Changing the way we think about construction to a new paradigm; lean in construction.
Project Management is the essential part of an organization to take necessary efforts to create a product or a result. As the organization grows large the complexity and the risk factors goes high. Each project has a project manager. Managers have to monitor and coordinate different projects at the same time and it is an art or skill to getting things done by others. Every project has its life cycle that means a start and end point. Some may be successful and some may not. There are some critical factors which restrict from success and eventually lead to project collapse. Apart from the critical factors, all organisations should have clear understanding of why particular project is important. Is this project is prioritized? .WHAT to achieve, WHEN and HOW to complete the project (Sara Marcelino-Sádaba a and Angel M. Echeverría Lazcano b 2014). Primary analysis of these questions are necessary for the success.For a project “requirement and specification” plays a vital role. Design, planning, use of resources and cost estimation of a project are done based on the requirement and specification. A project with well defined objectives with efficient definitions shows the way to success.Functions of Project Management includes activities such as planning, cost control, quality control, risk management and safety management in order to achieve project goals (Sara, Angel, Pedro, 2013).
Advances in technology represent transformational power for project management in the ACE sector, according to Howard et.al. (1989, p. 18), since appropriate technology provides decision support for the integration of data that has been gathered from a variety of sources and stakeholders. The authors also forecast that, as technology advanced, the potential for huge savings generated from higher productivity would be increasingly important, for instance, by the use of artificial intelligence, process automation including robotics, and employment of advanced databases (Howard et al. 1989, p.18).