Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Building Construction

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Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Building Construction

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https://hdl.handle.net/1853/72547

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Degree Series

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Organizational Unit

School of Building Construction

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 18

Successful delivery of flash track projects

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2016-04-14) Austin, Robert Brendon

This research explores a higher order of fast tracking, called Flash Tracking, in response to increasing calls for faster, more reliable project deliveries. Flash Tracking is defined as a time-driven project, which by necessity requires a heightened degree of concurrency between engineering, procurement, and construction. In contrast to fast tracking, which entails a level of concurrency between engineering, procurement, and construction that has become a staple of the construction industry, Flash Tracking extends the envelope by requiring a series of innovative practices across the project delivery spectrum. The specific research questions pursued include: 1) identifying which innovative improvements in project delivery methodology could be made to compress project durations, while maintaining safety, quality, and risk tolerance, and 2) addressing how project teams can best overcome barriers to delivering shorter project durations. A multi-method research project was undertaken to address these questions, which entailed an extensive review of the literature, structured case study interviews, and multiple group decision-making exercises. The literature review focused on the construction industry, as well as manufacturing, shipbuilding, and software development, to identify practices and techniques potentially relevant to Flash Tracking that could be extended to the construction industry. Group decision-making exercises included a modified Delphi method study, an Analytic Hierarchy Process, and a series of research charrettes or focus groups. These studies produced a prioritized, two-tiered listing of 47 essential Flash Track practices, providing practitioners with both a measure to assess their readiness for undertaking a Flash Track project and strategies for increasing their readiness. A subsequent study--a semantic network analysis--refined and buttressed the research team’s earlier findings. This two-year study, conducted in concert with industry experts, led to a re-engineered engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model which embraces relational contract strategies, improved communications, and the early engagement of key stakeholders.
Evaluating supplier diversity development programs (SDDP) from the diverse supplier enterprise (DSE) perspective in the facility management industry

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2016-04-04) Hatcher, Michael B.

Supplier diversity refers to the practice of creating opportunities for historically underutilized populations in the workforce and business arena. Supplier diversity encompasses initiatives specifically designed to increase the number of enterprises owned by people from ethnic minority groups who supply public, private, and/or voluntary sector organizations with goods and services (Ram & Smallbone, 2003). Supplier diversity initiatives were once driven solely by governmental policies focused on ethnic minorities. Also, minority vendor purchasing programs were designed to increase the volume of goods and services purchased by corporations from minority-owned businesses (Giunipero, 1981). Guided by the existing literature related to supplier diversity, this qualitative phenomenological study investigated the current state of Supplier Diversity Development Programs (SDDP) from the diverse supplier perspective. Primarily this research illuminated the (1) lived experiences of DSE Supplier Diversity Development Program participants (2) investigated the extent to which SDDPs eliminate or mitigate barriers/impediments to diverse suppliers previously identified in academic literature, and (3) evaluated the impact of SDDP participation on DSE business capacity development. This study explored and evaluated Supplier Diversity Development Programs to serve as a guide for (a) public and private POs in the facility management industry that currently utilize some supplier diversity development programs and (b) organizations seeking to implement SDDPs in the future. This research identified and posited a series of recommendations for the improvement of existing programs and the creation of new Supplier Diversity Development Programs. This research found that a Supplier Diversity Development Program that aligns program expectation with program delivery will result in greater levels of positive program participation outcomes. In addition this research study found SDDP mitigates DSE barriers/impediments and impacts DSE business capacity development, by way of building relationships, administering education, raising awareness, and creating platforms for access and engagement.
Evaluating the impacts of enterprise resource planning on organizational performance for small to medium enterprises in manufacturing

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2015-04-02) Sedehi, Arya

Today’s fast-paced global economy has intensified the demand for manufacturing companies to make their products more quickly and with higher quality to meet heightened consumer expectations while reducing costs. This competitive environment requires small to medium enterprise’s (SMEs) to implement well-designed business processes and leverage information technology (IT), such as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, within their facilities to become more agile, flexible, and integrated to meet changing market demands. Issues emerge when facility managers lack reliable data on performance and costs, which subsequently impairs even basic decisions for resource allocation or process improvement. Although the benefits of a successful ERP implementation in large firms are recognized, there is a general lack of empirical IT productivity literature focusing on SMEs. This research is expected to contribute to a framework for performance measurement, providing facility decision-makers with important metrics for analyzing their firm’s ability to improve upon competitive priorities. Employing the Delphi process, key performance indicators (KPIs) including time, speed, quality, and cost, and corresponding performance measurement metrics, investigations are conducted between traditional manufacturing processes in SMEs and processes enhanced through ERP adoption. In this longitudinal case study, significant improvements are observed in production operations relative to time following ERP implementation including a reduction in the defect rate, total manufacturing cost, and scrap rate along with increases in on-time delivery and flexibility.
An evaluation of home hospital care impacts on emergency department boarding using simulation

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2015-01-06) Fard, John

The hospital emergency department (ED) is a critical source for health care amid a complex healthcare system in the United States. It is the gateway to care for a broad range of people, arriving from a variety of locations. With this wide reaching net and a decreasing trend in hospital beds, EDs throughout the United States are experiencing overcrowding. ED crowding has various tactical and strategic facility management impacts ranging from facility occupancy issues to adverse health outcomes. Among other factors, recent research has cited the sharp increase in ED visits over the years and ED patient boarding as key contributors to crowding. Home hospital care is a model in which health care is delivered at an individual’s home as a substitute for hospital-level inpatient short-term acute care. Clinical research has shown home hospital to be an effective care model for select illnesses presenting frequently to EDs, such as congestive heart failure, community acquired pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cellulitis. While there exist distinct clinical and social criteria for which delineate eligible individuals, home hospital care models have been linked with the potential to free inpatient beds. The overarching objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between home hospital care and ED crowding. To achieve this objective, the study examined the relationship between home hospital care and ED crowding, specific to ED boarding performance at a large, urban, teaching hospital facility. A methodology for identification of potential home hospital patients was used through clinical and social criteria, and a scale for the range of clinical eligibility rates was established for the five suitable illnesses. The study modeled patient flow and bed demand, and utilized computer simulation modeling to assess the impact of home hospital care on ED boarding performance. Various models were simulated to represent different home hospital intervention types. The models incorporated home hospital through an ED Referral program, Inpatient-Transfer Referral program, Community Referral program, and a fully integrated home hospital program. Three scenarios were run for each model to assess practical possibilities for the utilization of the freed bed hours from a home hospital program. This research contributes insight and understanding of home hospital’s impacts on ED crowding. The insight from this study quantifies the effects of a home hospital program on ED boarding and inpatient bed demand. The modeling study is contributes an analytical understanding of the impacts that home hospital could potentially have on crowding, which could prove useful in the struggle against ED congestion. This understanding helps to provide a more thorough understanding of home hospital, and could aid in an organization’s decision-making process of whether to implement a program. The presented modeling methodology for analyzing home hospital and ED crowding can also be used as a model format for researchers and practitioners for analytical purposes in future studies.
A conceptual framework for the assessment of workplace impact on productivity

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-11-09) Swift, Laurie L.

The Corporate Real Estate Executive has many factors to consider when selecting and outfitting workspace for the company's employees, most of whom are knowledge workers. There are many factors to consider other than cost including the office space design, the LEED or other green building characteristics of the space,the business context in which the company operates, and how all these factors work together to impact productivity. A workplace and productivity assessment tool was completed for four different companies to assess eight different productivity elements and how they interact to impact productivity. Two companies occupied LEED certified facilities, one company occupied a green building, and the fourth company was in conventional office space.
Framework for owner's project requirements for total structural systems (oprtss)

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-07-08) Rouhi, Soheil

As Total Building Commissioning (TBCX) gaining acceptance and becoming a required process for federal, state and LEED projects, the required system guidelines are likewise being developed per Guideline 0-2005 recommendations. One of the most essential systems of any construction process is the structural system; however, there has been limited research in developing a guideline dedicated to structural systems. The Owner's Project Requirement (OPR) is the heart and soul of every guideline, in which Owners specify the requirements of the project in each system. A well-developed OPR for any system will guide the project stakeholders to achieve this goal; it will also, identify the responsibility of professionals in each system of the TBCX. To address this need, this fundamental research will develop a framework for the Owner's Project Requirement (OPR) for Total Structural Systems (OPRTSS). The goal of this research is to develop a model for identifying and implementing the major design and construction variables that impact structural performance of a project, especially during project delivery of concrete or steel framed projects; these are variables that are generally not defined or required by contracts, applicable building codes or engineering principles; that need to be outlined at the pre-design stage. Then, these variables are incorporated into the OPR to reduce the design and construction process uncertainty and help to achieve Owner's requirements for the project. Consequently this will increase Owners satisfaction, quality of the built environment and reduce time, cost and litigation.
Quantifying the benefits of greywater systems

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-04-05) Wickstead, Frank Anthony

This thesis offers a decision support framework to establish the economic feasibility associated with considering the installation of a greywater system. Because of the potential dangers and lack of widespread knowledge of greywater systems, the study begins by providing an explanation of current greywater technology to include the history of the technology, an explanation of greywater as opposed to reclaimed water, the potential risks of greywater use, and the necessary components of a greywater system. This decision support framework can be used with any scale of greywater system to be installed within any scale of facility. The example of an typical Atlanta, Georgia, USA multifamily rental development is used within the study to explain the framework by showing a working model. The need for water conservation in Georgia is shown and how greywater use dovetails with the need to lower overall usage. The legality of greywater use in Georgia along with the specific legal uses is also shown. The findings are then made State of Georgia and use specific to a multifamily development. The decision support framework provided is a viable tool. The sample framework in chapter 5 shows that the implementation of a greywater unit in the sampled facility would save 5,060,739.6 gallons of potable water per year with a 10.49 year payback cycle.
Auditory distractions in open office settings: a multi attribute utility approach to workspace decision making

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010-04-22) Juneja, Parminder K.

In open office settings, auditory distractions coming from surrounding work environment are shown to be a considerable source of indirect costs to an organization, such as performance costs, behavioral costs, and healthcare costs, to name a few. These costs are substantial to affect the net productivity of an organization, where productivity is equal to revenue minus the costs. This research argues that the costs of auditory distractions should be estimated when evaluating the value of a workspace for an organization. However, since organizational decisions are generally guided by cost-benefit analysis and a precise dollar figure cannot be attached to the stated indirect costs because these are subjective in nature; therefore, these are generally ignored. Costs that are critical to sustainability and development of a business and the fact that cost-benefit approach is no longer appropriate for these decisions, a more robust decision-based approach to workspace selection is proposed. Decision-based approach is seen as an organized approach to select between workspace options under uncertainty and risk wherein the selected workspace is maximized in terms of some expected utility. Here utility is defined as the measurement of strength or intensity of a person's preferences. Decision-based approach include consideration of a multitude of environmental decision variables, objective or subjective, in a single equation and processing of the same in a limited amount of time with rationality and consistency. A multi-attribute workspace choice utility decision model is developed with the intent to facilitate systematic understanding and analysis of workspace alternatives for an organization. This research shows how the decision-making approach to workspace selection simplifies the problem by providing a structure that is easily comprehensible, and allows simultaneous processing of both, qualitative and quantitative conflicting objectives, through a single decision-making model. In doing so, this research firmly establishes the importance of workspace's adaptability to auditory distractions for office workers, particularly knowledge workers, who are constantly undertaking a range of complex tasks. The study holistically and systematically addresses the fundamental issue prevalent in state-of-the-art North American open plan office settings of substantiality of two extremely contrasting requirements, concentration and collaboration, in the same workspace and work environment at a given time.
Relating facility performance indicators to organizational sustainability performance in public higher education facilities

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010-04-07) Adams, Gregory Keith

This research seeks to identify how an organization's facility management (FM) practices relate with the state of sustainability in the organization. A review of the literature leads to presentation of a model defining these relationships. The concepts of direct and indirect FM sustainability roles in organizational sustainability are presented. Accepted facility metrics found in the APPA Facilities Performance Indicator Survey are used as indicators of FM in University System of Georgia institutions and are tested for correlation with sustainability best practices scores generated in an assessment performed for this research. FM performance indicators representing the direct role of FM are not found to be correlated with organizational sustainability best practicesin USG higher education organizations.
Facility management during the 2009 recession: a snapshot view

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009-11-17) Geierman, Joseph

In 2008 and 2009, the world was shaken by the deepest recession since the Great Depression. This event has forced changes on many industries and professions - including Facility Management. This paper provides a "snapshot view" of how Facility Managers and Facility Management departments are navigating the financial meltdown. Preliminary research focused on previous recessionary periods, and the impact that they had on the development of Facility Management. In the recessions of the eighties, nineties and two thousands, Facility Managers started professional associations and developed professional certifications for themselves. At the same time, more businesses began utilizing the Facility Management function in order to orchestrate an increasingly complicated (and potentially expensive) built environment. At the same time, the same economic pressures led both to an increase in the use of outsourcing, and a backlog of deferred maintenance. Facility Managers had to be both innovative and flexible to survive in the industry - which has seen little growth in the 2000s. The main focus of this paper was a survey answered by 119 Facility Managers. In it, they reported on both how their departments were responding to the recession, and also how they were personally managing their careers during this time. Follow-up questions were also asked of some Facility Managers, to get a more detailed understanding of their answers. The main strategy that the survey found Facility Management departments turning to during the current recession was deferred maintenance, followed by staffing cuts and contract renegotiations. Facility Managers also reported that they are continuing to shift work to outsourcers - although some FMs reported that they have either outsourced all the work they can, or that there is no way to outsource some of the tasks that they do. In those cases, they focused on doing more work in-house. Individual Facility Managers tended to have relatively long careers, with about seventy percent being in their positions for longer than three years. Also, of those FMs who reported being unemployed, the majority had only been out of work for less than six months. Many of the Facility Managers questioned in this survey stated that they believed networking was a key component of their jobs. There were some who disagreed with this, however, believing that technical knowledge has become much more important than a strong social network. About equal numbers of people who had been in their jobs for about a year reported finding those jobs through job-boards as through networking Most of the Facility Managers who responded to the survey are not aware of any initiatives devoted specifically to helping out-of-work FMs. These groups do exist, however, and some were discovered in the course of researching this paper. It's notable that many Facility Managers appeared to have much more negative view of social networking sites than they do of in-person networking. The paper concludes by speculating on what the various results mean. While Facility Management departments appear to be laying professionals off, the long tenures and short periods of unemployment may signal that Facility managers are still in demand - even in times of recession. They may actually be more in demand now than in normal times, because of the need to balance multiple needs during a time of constrained spending on both capital and operating budgets. One red flag on the horizon is the perception of new technologies by respondents to this survey. Facility Managers were originally hired to manage costly new technologies in the workplace - this is something that they must continue to do in the future, and if they are not comfortable with changes that are coming, the profession may be bypassed or become marginalized. This may be a generational issue, which will be solved as younger people enter the industry.