Leadership and Management in Engineering

Are there alternative methods for delivering water and wastewater treatment projects that can save time and money without sacrificing project quality? This is an especially relevant question in these difficult economic times. This paper addresses the question by comparing traditional and alternative project delivery methods in terms of their effects on project quality, schedule, and costs. Project delivery methods discussed are traditional design–bid–build and the alternative methods of design–build, design–build–operate, and design–build–finance–operate.

Building information modeling (BIM) is one of the most promising recent developments in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. With BIM technology, an accurate virtual model of a building is digitally constructed. This model, known as a building information model, can be used for planning, design, construction, and operation of the facility. It helps architects, engineers, and constructors visualize what is to be built in a simulated environment to identify any potential design, construction, or operational issues. BIM represents a new paradigm within AEC, one that encourages integration of the roles of all stakeholders on a project. In this paper, current trends, benefits, possible risks, and future challenges of BIM for the AEC industry are discussed. The findings of this study provide useful information for AEC industry practitioners considering implementing BIM technology in their projects.

With the recent failures of major U.S. corporations and financial institutions, it is worthwhile to examine the contribution that neglect within corporate oversight may have made to such failures. It is also important to understand that the components of properly applied corporate governance relate directly to an effective business enterprise. Executive leadership must ensure that the integration and execution of independent, authoritative, and moral governance are active and effective. Finally, leaders must lead with integrity.

Construction scheduling for highway projects is an important process during the design stage. Numerous research studies have attempted to apply new techniques to improve the accuracy of construction scheduling. Many of these studies, however, failed to address the practicality of the scheduling methods and the needs of highway designers. The authors conducted literature reviews, surveys, and interviews to study the challenges designers face in estimating production rates for highway construction. We found that estimation tools for production rates should be flexible, user friendly, and efficient yet comprehensive. Data should be collected from reliable sources and analyzed appropriately and efficiently before being applied to a production rate tool. This study suggested that combining designers’ experience and reliable tools is the most effective way to develop realistic production rates for highway construction scheduling.