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
Strong investment in Information technology to streamline information flows and product flows along supply chain(RFID, Retail-Link system)
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.
Projects are used today as a way of achieving a variety of outcomes in local or international locations for new constructions, new product development, product improvement, process design, process improvement, utility installation, theory and technology development, and many more. Bringing a project to a successful conclusion requires the integration of numerous management functions like controlling, directing, team building, communication and others. It also requires cost and schedule management, technical and risk management, conflict and stakeholder 's management, and life cycle management.
Technology is quickly evolving and changing our everyday tasks. The next big thing is RFID technology. RFID, also known as Radio Frequency Identification Device, is making it easier for the consumer to pay without swiping their card or without signing. Many already know RFID as pay-pass where you simply wave your credit card over an RFID transmitter to pay for purchases. There are many benefits and cons to this new technology for the consumer and the producer alike.
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
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.
The grocery industry which started in 1973 was the major industry to first use the Universal Product Code.
2-15-99 Project Management: The Managerial Process COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE CHAPTER 1 Modern Project Management What is a project? The project life cycle The project manager The importance of project management Snapshot from practice: The best wireless phone in the world Snapshot from practice: The emergence of e.Schwab The evolution of project management systems Project management today-- An integrative approach Integration of projects with the strategic plan Integration within the process of managing actual projects Research Highlights: Chaos: Software Projects Summary Text overview Review questions & exercises Case:
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).
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).
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.
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).
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