Considering Prework on Industrial Projects
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 131, Issue 6
Abstract
Prefabrication, preassembly, modularization, and off-site fabrication, collectively termed as prework have become more viable with recent advances in design and information technologies. These construction methods offer a substantial opportunity to improve project performance when circumstances merit. Successful implementation of these methods on a particular project requires systematic analysis and early decision making based on specific factors of the project. This paper identifies those factors influencing decisions on the use of prework, and current industry practices for evaluating the applicability of prework on industrial projects. It then presents a decision framework to assist industry practitioners with evaluating the applicability of prework on their project, and describes a computerized tool to aid project teams in the decision-making process. The developed framework and tool are useful and effective in the decision-making process, and easy to use, as validated by practitioners in the industry.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to thank the CII project team industry members, Scott Flatley, David Jacobs, Bob Lewis, Richard Mayes, Bob McCabe, Rob Smith, Wayne Sykes, Curt Watson, Terry Wilford, Paul Wood, and Daryl Zimmerman, for providing invaluable input and guidance throughout the research. They are also grateful to the companies for their contribution to the data collection effort: BE&K, Central Texas Ironworks, Eli Lilly Co., Fluor Daniel, Howe-Baker, Jacobs Applied Technology, McAbee Construction, Prosser, ProQuip, and US Steel.
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© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 1, 2003
Accepted: Jul 12, 2004
Published online: Jun 1, 2005
Published in print: Jun 2005
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