Quantifying Engineering Project Scope for Productivity Modeling
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 131, Issue 3
Abstract
A poor scope definition in an engineering design project disrupts project rhythm, causes rework, increases project time and cost, and lowers the productivity and morale of the workforce. A quantitative measurement of the project scope is the basis for productivity modeling that involves the measurement, estimation, control, and evaluation of productivity. This paper proposes a conceptual model, the quantitative engineering project scope definition (QEPSD), to standardize the measurement of engineering project scope in construction projects, within a computer aided design environment. The QEPSD quantitatively measures engineering project scope, in terms of the complexity of design items by defining design categories and complexity functions appropriate to the particular discipline. The proposed method was originally verified and implemented specifically for steel drafting projects. Actual data was analyzed and used to demonstrate the benefits of historical data prepared using QEPSD for project scope definition. It was found that the new method led to increased utilization of previously untapped values in historical data, improving the accuracy of project scope definition, and productivity modeling. The paper concludes with a discussion of the potential benefits of adopting the QEPSD method, and its implications upon various project management functions.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada under Grant No. CRD 226956-99. The writers wish to thank Dwayne Hunka, Paul Zubick, and Mark Scott of Waiward Steel Fabricators Ltd. for their input and support.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 131 • Issue 3 • March 2005
Pages: 360 - 367
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 17, 2003
Accepted: Apr 1, 2004
Published online: Mar 1, 2005
Published in print: Mar 2005
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