- ASC Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Conference
- Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado
- April 20 - 22, 2006
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Research in Progress - Abstracts
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Research in Progress - Abstracts |
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A Historical Comparison of Cost and Time Between Two Project Delivery Methods
P. Warren Plugge Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado
Historical project data helps in explaining cost and schedule variability related to construction project risk. Project delivery methods are utilized in construction to manage project risk between the owner, architect, engineer, and contractor. Two project delivery methods commonly used are design-bid-build and design-build. Each project delivery method has its own inherent risks with respect to the estimated versus final cost and time. This research presents a methodology to explain the variability at the project level between the two project delivery methods with respect to cost, time, and the sixteen Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) project divisions using historical project data. The research will also attempt to expose the variability of cost and time at specific completion milestones of 0 percent (estimate), 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, and 100 percent (project completion). Findings of this research are significant in using historical project data to identify the uncertainty and risk associated with cost and time across the sixteen CSI divisions between projects using design-bid-build and design-build.
Key Words: Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, Project Delivery Method, Risk
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Women in Construction Management: Creating a Theory of Career Choice and Development
Jennifer D. Moore, M.A. Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado
Narrowly behind manufacturing and mining, construction is the most segmented labor market, (Charles & Grusky, 2004) with less than nine percent of the industry being female (Wraige, 2003). Specifically focused on female constructors engaged in the management of construction projects and/or companies, this study addresses this issue by investigating factors which influence the career choice and development of women entering construction management as a major in college and profession thereafter. By integrating the experiences of 24 female constructors with an extensive analysis of theory and research in the areas of career development, factors of non-traditional career choice, and characteristics and strategies of persistence, a substantive theory of women’s career choice and development was created. Participants’ views and experiences, captured through small focus group interviews, were analyzed with quantitative data of demographics, education, construction experience, self-efficacy, personality, and career satisfaction and commitment gathered from a written questionnaire, to create a profile of female constructors used in this theory. The findings represent a complex association among background, individual, and environmental variables, with a commonality of shared experiences. A final aspect of the study includes recommendations for academia and industry for the successful recruitment and retention of women into construction management.
Key Words: women, career choice, career development, construction management, grounded theory
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Texas Residential Construction Commission Homeowner Education and Maintenance Guide
Erica T. Wozniak Graduate Student Texas A&M University College of Architecture Department of Construction Science 3137 TAMU College Station, Texas 77843-3137
The Texas Legislature created the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC) in 2003 in an effort to improve the homeowner/homebuilder relationship. All new homes built in Texas, as well as certain remodeling projects and improvements are now covered by mandatory Warranties and Performance Standards. The Warranties and Performance Standards are the minimum standards of performance for the various elements or components of a home. The length of the warranty coverage depends on the type of component. The warranties of habitability as well as major structural components are covered by a ten year warranty. Plumbing, electrical, heating, and air -conditioning and ventilation delivery systems are covered by a two year warranty and all other components are covered by a one year warranty. Building and performance standards were developed to provide objective measurable criteria that can be used as a benchmark to determine if a defect exists. The law also provides for a state sponsored inspection and dispute resolution process. As a part of the state sponsored inspection, a professional inspector is assigned to inspect the home and issue a report on the nature, if any, of the defect and provide a recommendation for repair that can be the basis to settle the dispute.
Key Words: Texas Residential Construction Commission, Warranties, Performance Standards, Dispute resolution
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Student Research Projects in a Construction Electricity Course
Paul Oppenheim, Ph.D., P.E. Rinker School of Building Construction University of Florida pauloppenheim@ufl.edu
Students in a Building Electrical Systems course do a research project resulting in a Poster presentation. The purpose of this project is to give the student the opportunity to interact with a professional involved with Electricity in Construction. The student can work with a residential or a commercial electrical contractor or an engineer.
The primary areas of interest are estimating, scheduling and submittals. Components of Electrical Systems that are considered include: raceways, conductors, boxes and hangers, starters, switches, transformers and lighting.
The students have approximately three weeks to make their industry contact and submit a proposal including the name, phone number and e-mail address of the contact. The proposal must also include a statement of what area is to be investigated and the methodology.
The final report is presented approximately two weeks later on a 3 foot by 4 foot poster board. This presentation includes the contact information for the industry person, methodology, and findings. The poster must use at least one specific job as an example. The project can be summarized with tables, charts and/or photographs as appropriate. The posters that result from this laboratory exercise are displayed in a lobby area of the Construction program for a month.
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Jennifer Leyh and Richard A. Burt, MRICS, Ph.D. Texas A&M University College Station
The Considerate Constructors Scheme was born in 1997 and is a voluntary action of construction companies in order to improve the image of the industry in the United Kingdom. It is a non-profit organization set to provide contractors with the proceedings to assist in the overall feelings the built environment creates within its society. The code of the Considerate Construction Scheme promises a more environmentally conscious site, respectful of its neighbors, safe for those working on site, and responsible for noise, waste and damage. The objective of the current research project is to evaluate the Considerate Contractors Scheme in the United Kingdom to see if any of the applications used in the United Kingdom could be transferred to the Texas construction industry. Successful considerate construction practices were identified in London in the summer of 2005. These practices were categorized and evaluated and presented to panel of construction professionals to ascertain their perception on the possibility of implementing a similar scheme in the State of Texas. This research in progress presentation will show the results of the summers identification work.
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