Application of lean thinking to improve the productivity of water and sewer service installations

2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 418-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale Kung ◽  
Dinu Philip Alex ◽  
Mohamed Al-Hussein ◽  
Siri Fernando
Keyword(s):  
Queuing Theory ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Theory Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lean Thinking ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Productivity Potential

The installation of water and sewer services is an essential element of many construction projects. With an increasing number of construction projects being undertaken in metropolitan areas, delays are no longer affordable. To increase productivity in this type of construction project, workflow must be improved. This paper describes the application of lean thinking principles to improve the productivity of water and sewer service installations. To illustrate this, a case study is presented that applies these principles to water and sewer service installations performed by City of Edmonton construction crews. As well, this paper outlines a study that applies the lean thinking procedures recommended within a queuing theory model to validate the effect of the proposed improvements to productivity. Potential improvements to overall productivity will be discussed along with proposed future research.

scholarly journals Interpreting Traditional Cost Contingency Methods in the Construction Industry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Donn ◽  
Alexis Dykman ◽  
Nilesh Bakshi
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Reliable Method ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Building Industry ◽  
Simulation Methods ◽  
Journal Paper

This research investigates how contingency is currently calculated in project budgets within the building industry. This is an important aspect to consider as a large proportion of construction projects are significantly over-budget. The study presents three non-simulation methods and one simulation method for calculating cost contingency following the results of a forthcoming journal paper. These methods are applied against a case study project in attempt to highlight the most reliable method, and to create a methodology that will be useful to the industry. This paper identifies that the traditional fixed percentage approach is not sufficient and suggests that this could be one of the main reasons why construction projects are over budget. While it is unclear which method is the most reliable, this study provides a focus for future research into reliability and utilisation of contingency methods in the building industry. The research demonstrates that current practice needs to change to reduce the large number of construction projects that run over budget.

scholarly journals The Impact of Lean Thinking on the Management of Supply Chain Processes (Case Study: Building Projects Housing Foundation of Islamic Revolution in Iran, Golestan Province)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad afsharniya
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Multivariate Regression ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Lean Thinking ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Golestan Province ◽  
The Impact

Present objective of the study the effects of pure thinking on the management of the supply chain housing construction projects Foundation in Gulistan province. Research methodology used in this study, descriptive and of solidarity. All statistical community managers and experts active construction projects in the time of the study can be - that their number is estimated at 370 people. The number of 189 people. For the sample was selected. In this study sampling method is random. Gathering information tool that it was standard questionnaires to confirm the validity of experts and professors expert. For reliability questionnaire Cronbach's and other related indicators used their results confirm that represents the reliability of the questionnaire. The questionnaire using factor analysis was confirmed by LISREL software. Research hypotheses were examined using multivariate regression. Research results showed that pure thinking on the management of the supply chain construction projects in the Gulistan province. It also intended to determine the value, making the uninterrupted pursuit of perfection and impact. Pure and fairly new management to reducing time, cost and waste and raising the quality of the pure of construction, and its interaction with supply chain management in order to achieve their objectives and principles.

Introduce Self-Paced Learning in Military Technical Trades Training

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 23-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Wang ◽  
Richard Egudo
Keyword(s):  
Queuing Theory ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Flow Process ◽  
Lean Thinking ◽  
Course Structure ◽  
Diverse Learning ◽  
Group Interviewing

Using a case study, this article identifies the factors that are important in the effective implementation of mixing self-paced and lock-step learning (a specific type of blended learning (BL)) in the context of training military technicians. Due to budget and time constraints, the training authorities in most worldwide organisations, and in military organisations in particular, face a challenge in the increase of training demand to deliver and sustain a qualified workforce. This study explored the advantages of this type of BL to address the challenge. The data was collected by group interviewing stakeholders, i.e. the course managers and instructors. The interview workshops identified the features of the designed course structure and trainee flow process that would impact on the effective operation of BL learning. The trainees' data in training hours was analyzed to examine the BL impact on the training throughput. The management science concepts from, e.g. Lean thinking and Queuing theory, are used to recognize enabling factors that make this implementation work. This article concludes that the BL discussed here can help to address the training challenge for organisations to build workforce capability by catering to diverse learning needs, especially for motivated trainees in their career education. It is hoped that the lessons learned from this study will contribute to the knowledge in the field of adult education and workplace learning in the designing and implementation of more flexible training programs.

scholarly journals Interpreting Traditional Cost Contingency Methods in the Construction Industry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Donn ◽  
Alexis Dykman ◽  
Nilesh Bakshi
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Reliable Method ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Building Industry ◽  
Simulation Methods ◽  
Journal Paper

This research investigates how contingency is currently calculated in project budgets within the building industry. This is an important aspect to consider as a large proportion of construction projects are significantly over-budget. The study presents three non-simulation methods and one simulation method for calculating cost contingency following the results of a forthcoming journal paper. These methods are applied against a case study project in attempt to highlight the most reliable method, and to create a methodology that will be useful to the industry. This paper identifies that the traditional fixed percentage approach is not sufficient and suggests that this could be one of the main reasons why construction projects are over budget. While it is unclear which method is the most reliable, this study provides a focus for future research into reliability and utilisation of contingency methods in the building industry. The research demonstrates that current practice needs to change to reduce the large number of construction projects that run over budget.

scholarly journals Coming Alongside Supervisees: Introducing the Skillset of Companioning to Counselor Supervision

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-46
Author(s):  
Rob McKinney ◽  
Paula Britton
Keyword(s):  
Essential Element ◽  
Counselor Supervision ◽  
Grief Counseling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Counseling Supervision ◽  
Counseling Profession

Robert Wolfelt (2005) introduced the idea of companioning into the field of grief counseling. Companioning could also be utilized as a skillet within counseling supervision. As supervision is an essential element of counseling, integrating this skillset would be beneficial to the counseling profession. The topic of companioning and its 11 tenets are first explored and then placed within the context of counseling supervision as a useful and valuable skillset for working with supervisees. The skillset is then explored through various existing models of supervision and illustrated through a case study. Finally, implications for supervisors and educators, as well as future research within the counseling profession, are included.

Introduce Self-Paced Learning in Military Technical Trades Training

2021 ◽  
pp. 22-32
Author(s):  
Jun Wang ◽  
Richard Egudo
Keyword(s):  
Queuing Theory ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Flow Process ◽  
Lean Thinking ◽  
Course Structure ◽  
Diverse Learning ◽  
Group Interviewing

Using a case study, this article identifies the factors that are important in the effective implementation of mixing self-paced and lock-step learning (a specific type of blended learning (BL)) in the context of training military technicians. Due to budget and time constraints, the training authorities in most worldwide organisations, and in military organisations in particular, face a challenge in the increase of training demand to deliver and sustain a qualified workforce. This study explored the advantages of this type of BL to address the challenge. The data was collected by group interviewing stakeholders, i.e. the course managers and instructors. The interview workshops identified the features of the designed course structure and trainee flow process that would impact on the effective operation of BL learning. The trainees' data in training hours was analyzed to examine the BL impact on the training throughput. The management science concepts from, e.g. Lean thinking and Queuing theory, are used to recognize enabling factors that make this implementation work. This article concludes that the BL discussed here can help to address the training challenge for organisations to build workforce capability by catering to diverse learning needs, especially for motivated trainees in their career education. It is hoped that the lessons learned from this study will contribute to the knowledge in the field of adult education and workplace learning in the designing and implementation of more flexible training programs.

Startup Suppliers on the Rise: Insights into the Management of Asymmetric Buyer–Supplier Relationships

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan M. Wagner ◽  
Stefan Kurpjuweit
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Supplier Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Complementary Resources ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
Relationship Outcomes ◽  
Corporate Venture ◽  
Increase Productivity

Firms are keen to benefit strategically from startups by applying new technologies, products, or services that increase productivity of processes and competitiveness of products. Besides tapping into entrepreneurial innovations through traditional collaboration models such as corporate venture capital or R&D alliances, firms have increasingly begun engaging with startups upon supplier relationships. These buyer–supplier relationships, which are asymmetric by nature, create opportunities for both sides to access, leverage, and combine a partner’s complementary resources as well as to apply new and valuable capabilities, which may ultimately lead to a mutual competitive advantage. However, many attributes that make startups highly attractive partners for increasing the productivity of processes or the innovativeness of products create substantial challenges for buying firms when collaborating with these young firms. Recent empirical evidence suggests that startups are increasingly considered as a new supplier type, which requires the adaptation of conventional supplier management processes and practices by buying firms to achieve desired relationship outcomes. Against this background, this chapter’s purpose is to elaborate on how firms can use ‘procurement’ processes to benefit strategically from startups and how to manage startups as suppliers. The chapter identifies specific challenges that arise from these asymmetric partnerships and provides insights from an in-depth case study of the BMW Startup Garage, offering firms guidance on how to overcome these challenges. The chapter shows how the automaker establishes buyer–supplier relationships with startups and a fast track into BMW. Finally, the chapter also provides recommendations for future research endeavors.

Stretching risk management standards: multi-organizational perspectives

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liisa Lehtiranta ◽  
Juha-Matti Junnonen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Management Consultants ◽  
Management Standards ◽  
Participant Selection ◽  
Further Development

Purpose – Standard frameworks for project risk management (RM) are currently mostly focussed on single-firm organizations, whereas in practice, construction project RM involves multiple organizations. The purpose of this paper is to identify and systematically maps practical processes that bridge the gap between single-organizational RM standards and multi-organizational RM (MORM) needs. Design/methodology/approach – This case study covers three large construction management (CM) projects in Finland. The 35 interviews with project owners, project management consultants, design groups, and contractors identify the participants’ positions on RM roles, integration within organizations, and further development requests. Findings – Most (16 of 21) of the identified RM practices are multi-organizational; i.e. they involve two or more organizations. Compared to single-organizational standards, MORM practices involve less emphasis on detailed risk analysis processes but highlight both participant selection and managing collaborative performance. Research limitations/implications – The research results are attached to Finnish CM projects but may be applicable to other types of collaboration-based construction projects, such as alliances and public-private partnerships. The efficiency of the MORM model requires further evaluation in future research. Practical implications – A model for MORM is a systematic presentation of the research results. The model provides guidance for efficiently setting up MORM processes and for refining multi-organizational research. Originality value – The multi-organizational interfaces of RM processes are mainly overlooked in the current literature, standards, and frameworks. This research provides a rare explication of parallel MORM processes.

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