Potential of Total Cycle Time Compression in Construction: Focus on Program Development and Design
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 130, Issue 2
Abstract
Time compression is a widely accepted approach to improving customer service levels while minimizing total costs. However, few applications within the construction sector exist, especially in relation to the early stages of program development and design. These stages are of paramount importance because of the resultant ramifications on the total cycle time of the entire construction project, in the form of changes, rework, waste, and risk. Most applications of time compression focus on quantifying and removing nonvalue adding time from business processes. This is difficult for program development and the design stages of construction because most information sources are qualitative. As a result, a methodology has been developed to identify the key areas of potential improvement during these early stages. Collection of opinion data via semistructured interviews, questionnaires, and a workshop with a cross section of supply chain members has made it possible to quantify the potential improvements. The action research findings have been summarized into a time-compression model for the program development stages in the format of two interlinked cause and effect diagrams. These further emphasize the need for effective program development to minimize the risks of project overrun.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Baldwin, A. N., Austin, S. A., Hassan, T. M., and Thorpe, A.(1999). “Modelling information flow during the conceptual and schematic stages of building design.” Constr. Manage. Econom.,17(2), 155–167.
Barrett, P., and Stanley, C. (1999). Better construction briefing, Blackwell Science, Oxford, U.K.
Bowen, P. A., Pearl, R. G., and Edwards, P. J.(1999). “Client briefing processes and procurement method selection: A South African study.” Eng., Constr., Archit. Manage., 6(2), 91–104.
Bresnen, M. J., and Haslam, C. O.(1991). “Construction industry clients: A survey of their attributes and project management practices.” Constr. Manage. Econom.,9(4), 327–342.
Chang, A. S.-T.(2001). “Work-time model for engineers.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 127(2), 163–172.
Construction Industry Board. (1997). Briefing the team: A guide to better briefing, Thomas Telford, London.
Cooper, R. (1998). The process protocol—Level two, EPSRC Construction as a Manufacturing Process Innovative Manufacturing Initiative, Univ. of Salford/Loughborough Univ.
Dahle, T.(1954). “Transmitting information to employees: A study of five methods.” Personnel, 31, 243–246.
Dougherty, K. (1998). “Cycle time.” Builder 〈www.Builderonline.com〉 (May 1998).
Elinwa, A. U., and Joshua, M.(2001). “Time-overrun factors in Nigerian construction industry.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 127(5), 419–425.
Green, S. D., and Simister, S. J.(1999). “Modelling client business processes as an aid to strategic briefing.” Constr. Manage. Econom.,17(1), 63–76.
Hong-Minh, S. M., Barker, R., and Naim, M. M.(2001). “Identifying supply chain solutions: Those suitable for the U.K. house building sector.” Eur. J. Purchasing Supply Chain Manage.,6(4), 45–59.
Ibbs, C. W.(1994). “Re-engineering construction work processes.” Int. J. Constr. Inf. Technol., 2(4), 27–47.
Ireland, V.(1996). “T40—Radical time reduction in construction projects.” Business Change Re-eng.,3(1), 28–38.
Jenks, M. (1988). The briefing process—A critical examination, Chartered Institute of Building, King’s Ride, Ascot, U.K.
Konya, A. (1986). Libraries: A briefing and design guide, Architectural Press Ltd., London.
Latham, Sir M. (1994). Constructing the team, HMSO, London.
“LRN Automotive Supply Chain Re-Engineering Workshop.” (1999). Logistics Focus, 7(4), 43–44.
Newman, R., Jenks, M., Bacon, V., and Dawson, S. (1981). “Brief formulation and the design of buildings.” Report of the Dept. of Architecture, Oxford Polytechnic, Oxford, U.K.
Oppenheim, A. N. (1992). Questionnaire design, interviewing and attitude measurement, Printer Publishers, London.
O’Reilly, J. J. N. (1997). Better briefing means better building, Building Research Establishment, Garston, Watford, U.K.
Parsloe, C. (1990). Design briefing manual, BSRIA Publications, Bracknell, Berks, U.K.
Pheng, L. S., and Hui, M. S.(1999). “The application of JIT philosophy to construction.” Constr. Manage. Econom.,17(5), 657–668.
Pheng, L. S., and Tan, S. K. L.(1998). “How just in time wastage can be qualified: Case study of a private condominium project.” Constr. Manage. Econom.,16(6), 621–635.
Salisbury, F. (1990). Architect’s handbook for client briefing, Butterworth’s, London.
de Saram, D. D., and Ahmed, S. M.(2001). “Construction coordination activities: What is important and what consumes time.” J. Manage. Eng., 17(4), 202–213.
Saunders, M. K., Lewis, L., and Thornhill, A. (1997). Research methods for business students, Pitman, London.
Stalk, G., and Hout, T. M. (1990). Competing against time, Collier Macmillan, New York.
Thomas, P. R. (1990). Competitiveness through total cycle time, McGraw-Hill, New York.
Towill, D. R. (1996). “Time compression and supply chain management.” Logistics Information Management, 9(6), 41–53.
Towill, D. R. (1997). “Enabling construction as a manufacturing process.” Proc., Mouchel Centenary Conference, Civic-Coup Press, Edinburgh, 145–152.
Towill, D. R., Childerhouse, P., and Disney, S. M.(2000). “Speeding up the progress curve towards effective supply chain management.” Int. J. Supply Chain Manage., 5(3/4), 122–130.
“Waste audit and minimisation at Pegasus Court construction site—Interim report.” (1999). CaliBRE, Garston, Watford.
Watson, G. H. (1994). Business systems engineering, Wiley, New York.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 130 • Issue 2 • April 2004
Pages: 177 - 187
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 21, 2001
Accepted: Jan 16, 2003
Published online: Mar 15, 2004
Published in print: Apr 2004
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.