This report describes the continuation of the development of performance measures for the Iowa De... more This report describes the continuation of the development of performance measures for the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Offices of Construction. Those offices are responsible for administering transportation construction projects for the Iowa DOT. Researchers worked closely with the Benchmark Steering Team which was formed during Phase I of this project and is composed of representatives of the Offices of Construction. The research team conducted a second survey of Offices of Construction personnel, interviewed numerous members of the Offices and continued to work to improve the eight key processes identified during Phase I of this research. The eight key processes include Inspection of Work, Resolution of Technical Issues, Documentation of Work Progress and Pay Quantities, Employee Training and Development, Continuous Feedback for Improved Contract Documents, Provide Safe Traffic Control, External/Public Communication, and Providing Pre-Letting Information. Three to four measurements were specified for each key process. Many of these measurements required opinion surveys of employees, contractors, and others. During Phase II, researchers concentrated on conducting surveys, interviewing respondents to improve future surveys, and facilitating Benchmark Steering Team monthly meetings. Much effort was placed on using the information collected during the first year's research to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Offices of Construction. The results from Process Improvement Teams that studied Traffic Control and Resolution of Technical Issues were used to improve operations.
Field and office productivity and the use of prefabrication in the Electrical Contracting industr... more Field and office productivity and the use of prefabrication in the Electrical Contracting industry are intertwined. This project explored the impact and use of prefabrication within Lean Construction and BIM and VDC. The focus was to untangle and objectively characterize the relationship between productivity and prefabrication. The investigation resulted in a set of best practices that can help Electrical Contractors optimize prefabrication to obtain peak productivity
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 2000
This paper reports on a project sponsored by the Electrical Contracting Foundation that examined ... more This paper reports on a project sponsored by the Electrical Contracting Foundation that examined the design/build (D/B) approach and the various dimensions of the decision process that electrical contractors consider before entering this emerging marketplace. Electrical contractors were surveyed regarding many different aspects of D/B and how those factors impact their business. The survey revealed several important trends and preferences among electrical contractors. One area identified in the survey worthy of note is that many of the electrical contractors felt ill prepared to embark on D/B with their current understanding of the issues.
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 2011
Engineering is an applied science. In no other engineering specialization is this more relevant t... more Engineering is an applied science. In no other engineering specialization is this more relevant than in construction engineering. A challenge among construction engineering academics (both faculty and students) and industry practitioners is to transfer a method, technology, or practice that can be supported in the theoretical sense, whether in a laboratory or classroom setting, and make it applicable to the rarely ideal industry jobsite. This bridge between engineering in the theoretical sense and practice requires intimate collaboration and continuous communication, which has not always occurred between the university and the jobsite. As described by Dr. Michael C. Vorster, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech and conference keynote speaker, the dilemma from the academic perspective is that “we teach too much and our students learn too little.” A primary focus of the Construction Engineering Conference held at Virginia Tech from September 30 to October 2, 2010, was to bring academics and industry leaders together to share experiences, practices, and ideas. This interaction was intended to strengthen the connection between theory and practice for mutual benefit. The Construction Engineering Conference was a unique opportunity in the sharing of knowledge across aisles. The purpose of this special issue is to archive and disseminate the knowledge for current and future generations of construction engineers. Each conference speaker submitted a manuscript that was peer-reviewed by academic and industry reviewers. In many cases, industry speakers coauthored the manuscript with a construction engineering academic. In all, this special issue includes 28 manuscripts that cover a broad range of construction engineering topics. A debt of gratitude is owed to the authors for their thoughts and efforts in this overall body of work, which makes a significant contribution to the overall body of construction engineering knowledge. Furthermore, the editors are especially grateful to the reviewers, who ensured that the manuscripts maintained the rigorous standards for publication in the ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. Finally, the editors are grateful for the support provided by the Construction Engineering Conference committee and the senior editorial boardmembers of the Journal, especially Dr. JesusM. de la Garza. Without their guidance and advice, this special issue would not have been possible.
The Iowa DOT's Offices of Construction are seeking ways to use benchmarking, the concepts of ... more The Iowa DOT's Offices of Construction are seeking ways to use benchmarking, the concepts of quality management, and outside facilitation to improve their methods and processes. Iowa State University researchers and the Offices of Construction Benchmarking Steering team have developed a performance measuring system and have collected considerable baseline data. The baseline data has been examined and process improvement teams have been launched in areas that require improvement. In many cases, process improvement team recommendations have been implemented. This paper will present the results of those process improvement team efforts. Keeping continuous improvement efforts on track for many organizations is a challenge. It is easy to develop a vision and mission statement and generate enthusiasm, only to have the efforts die when participants discover the amount of effort and persistence required to continue the efforts. The Iowa DOT Offices of Construction has engaged in a quali...
... by William F. Maloney , M.ASCE , (AJ Clark Chair Prof. ... Abstract: As the construction indu... more ... by William F. Maloney , M.ASCE , (AJ Clark Chair Prof. ... Abstract: As the construction industry has become more competitive, construction managers have begun applying Frederick Taylor's scientific management principles to the design of construction jobs by breaking jobs into ...
... Practical Models for Organizational Assessment. by William F. Maloney , M.ASCE , (AJ Clark Ch... more ... Practical Models for Organizational Assessment. by William F. Maloney , M.ASCE , (AJ Clark Chair Prof. of Constr. Engrg. ... The writers present the results of a study of organizational assessment that used a framework of competing values developed by Quinn and Cameron. ...
This report describes the continuation of the development of performance measures for the Iowa De... more This report describes the continuation of the development of performance measures for the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Offices of Construction. Those offices are responsible for administering transportation construction projects for the Iowa DOT. Researchers worked closely with the Benchmark Steering Team which was formed during Phase I of this project and is composed of representatives of the Offices of Construction. The research team conducted a second survey of Offices of Construction personnel, interviewed numerous members of the Offices and continued to work to improve the eight key processes identified during Phase I of this research. The eight key processes include Inspection of Work, Resolution of Technical Issues, Documentation of Work Progress and Pay Quantities, Employee Training and Development, Continuous Feedback for Improved Contract Documents, Provide Safe Traffic Control, External/Public Communication, and Providing Pre-Letting Information. Three to four measurements were specified for each key process. Many of these measurements required opinion surveys of employees, contractors, and others. During Phase II, researchers concentrated on conducting surveys, interviewing respondents to improve future surveys, and facilitating Benchmark Steering Team monthly meetings. Much effort was placed on using the information collected during the first year's research to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Offices of Construction. The results from Process Improvement Teams that studied Traffic Control and Resolution of Technical Issues were used to improve operations.
Field and office productivity and the use of prefabrication in the Electrical Contracting industr... more Field and office productivity and the use of prefabrication in the Electrical Contracting industry are intertwined. This project explored the impact and use of prefabrication within Lean Construction and BIM and VDC. The focus was to untangle and objectively characterize the relationship between productivity and prefabrication. The investigation resulted in a set of best practices that can help Electrical Contractors optimize prefabrication to obtain peak productivity
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 2000
This paper reports on a project sponsored by the Electrical Contracting Foundation that examined ... more This paper reports on a project sponsored by the Electrical Contracting Foundation that examined the design/build (D/B) approach and the various dimensions of the decision process that electrical contractors consider before entering this emerging marketplace. Electrical contractors were surveyed regarding many different aspects of D/B and how those factors impact their business. The survey revealed several important trends and preferences among electrical contractors. One area identified in the survey worthy of note is that many of the electrical contractors felt ill prepared to embark on D/B with their current understanding of the issues.
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 2011
Engineering is an applied science. In no other engineering specialization is this more relevant t... more Engineering is an applied science. In no other engineering specialization is this more relevant than in construction engineering. A challenge among construction engineering academics (both faculty and students) and industry practitioners is to transfer a method, technology, or practice that can be supported in the theoretical sense, whether in a laboratory or classroom setting, and make it applicable to the rarely ideal industry jobsite. This bridge between engineering in the theoretical sense and practice requires intimate collaboration and continuous communication, which has not always occurred between the university and the jobsite. As described by Dr. Michael C. Vorster, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech and conference keynote speaker, the dilemma from the academic perspective is that “we teach too much and our students learn too little.” A primary focus of the Construction Engineering Conference held at Virginia Tech from September 30 to October 2, 2010, was to bring academics and industry leaders together to share experiences, practices, and ideas. This interaction was intended to strengthen the connection between theory and practice for mutual benefit. The Construction Engineering Conference was a unique opportunity in the sharing of knowledge across aisles. The purpose of this special issue is to archive and disseminate the knowledge for current and future generations of construction engineers. Each conference speaker submitted a manuscript that was peer-reviewed by academic and industry reviewers. In many cases, industry speakers coauthored the manuscript with a construction engineering academic. In all, this special issue includes 28 manuscripts that cover a broad range of construction engineering topics. A debt of gratitude is owed to the authors for their thoughts and efforts in this overall body of work, which makes a significant contribution to the overall body of construction engineering knowledge. Furthermore, the editors are especially grateful to the reviewers, who ensured that the manuscripts maintained the rigorous standards for publication in the ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. Finally, the editors are grateful for the support provided by the Construction Engineering Conference committee and the senior editorial boardmembers of the Journal, especially Dr. JesusM. de la Garza. Without their guidance and advice, this special issue would not have been possible.
The Iowa DOT's Offices of Construction are seeking ways to use benchmarking, the concepts of ... more The Iowa DOT's Offices of Construction are seeking ways to use benchmarking, the concepts of quality management, and outside facilitation to improve their methods and processes. Iowa State University researchers and the Offices of Construction Benchmarking Steering team have developed a performance measuring system and have collected considerable baseline data. The baseline data has been examined and process improvement teams have been launched in areas that require improvement. In many cases, process improvement team recommendations have been implemented. This paper will present the results of those process improvement team efforts. Keeping continuous improvement efforts on track for many organizations is a challenge. It is easy to develop a vision and mission statement and generate enthusiasm, only to have the efforts die when participants discover the amount of effort and persistence required to continue the efforts. The Iowa DOT Offices of Construction has engaged in a quali...
... by William F. Maloney , M.ASCE , (AJ Clark Chair Prof. ... Abstract: As the construction indu... more ... by William F. Maloney , M.ASCE , (AJ Clark Chair Prof. ... Abstract: As the construction industry has become more competitive, construction managers have begun applying Frederick Taylor's scientific management principles to the design of construction jobs by breaking jobs into ...
... Practical Models for Organizational Assessment. by William F. Maloney , M.ASCE , (AJ Clark Ch... more ... Practical Models for Organizational Assessment. by William F. Maloney , M.ASCE , (AJ Clark Chair Prof. of Constr. Engrg. ... The writers present the results of a study of organizational assessment that used a framework of competing values developed by Quinn and Cameron. ...
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