<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Even though horizontally linear projects have low complexity schedules, they are still not successful in meeting planned time. The deadlines are mostly based on estimations done in front-end project development when limited data are available. Early time estimation models in literature rely on few variables and, almost in all cases, one of them is the estimated cost. Early cost estimations can significantly deviate from actual costs and thus lead to unreliable time estimation. Time estimation models based on neural network and other alternative methods require databases and software, which complicates the process of time estimation. The purpose of this paper is to bridge the gap of scarce time estimation models and unreliable time estimates by developing a new method for time estimation. This research has been done on one large sewer system project. The case study shows how to extract several continuous activities for a pipeline project chosen from a sewer system. Moreover, a new algorithm for the calculation of project duration is devised based on the existing equation related to the linear scheduling method, and this algorithm works with continuous activities. The new method for construction time estimation is based on the extraction of linear continuous activities, usage of the algorithm for identification of minimal buffer between activities, and calculation of the project duration. To verify the algorithm, this method is used on another pipeline project from a sewer system. The limitation is that this method can be used only for base estimation. Further research needs to be done to include uncertainties and risks in the method.</p>
</abstract>

Method for Base Estimation of Construction Time for Linear Projects in Front-end Project Phases

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>There is no doubt that each project manager uses different methodologies, methods, tools and techniques (MMTTs) while dealing with constant pressure to deliver results in a complex and changing environment, where complexity and stakeholders’ expectations are continually growing. This article presents results from the study about project managers’ choice on artefacts that they frequently use in their regular work. This study was conducted within the context of selected environment (one country and one sector of engineering projects), but designed methodology and results might also be significant for a wider audience. The results were based on the feedback that were received from 31 project management (PM) professionals gathered in the form of a structured questionnaire, followed by an interview with three PM experts for validation. The results confirmed a variety of PM artefacts in use and provided their ranking by perceived usefulness. The additional results indicated correlation between PM success and usage of MMTTs, as perceived by project managers. This study also resulted in several interesting findings, such as popularity and usefulness of artefacts, rigidity of PM processes, and maturity of PM organizations, about the topic. Despite of rather small sample taken from one country's environment, the results could serve as a solid information for moving ahead, while considering the significance of PM artefacts, as well as for their further development. The key findings are also messages to PM professionals to consider whether they use available and appropriate PM artefacts and is there a room for more efficient and effective usage.</p>
</abstract>

Croatian Association for Project Management

A study of project managers’ choice on key methods, tools and techniques in managing engineering projects

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Current estimates of the actual productivity of heavy construction machinery at a construction site are not supported by an appropriate and widely used methodology. Recently, for the purpose of estimating the actual productivity of heavy construction machinery, vision-based technologies are used. This paper emphasizes the importance of estimating actual productivity and presents a way (i.e. a research framework) to achieve it. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to propose a simple research framework (SRF) for quick and practical estimates of excavator actual productivity and cycle time at a construction site. The excavator actual productivity refers to the maximum possible productivity in real construction site conditions. The SRF includes the use of a video camera and the analysis of recorded videos using an advanced computer program. In cases of continuous application of SRF, a clear and transparent base for monitoring and control of earthworks can be obtained at an observed construction site.</p>
</abstract>

Estimation of the excavator actual productivity at the construction site using video analysis

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec><h3>Purpose</h3>
<p>The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of on-site factories that combine the strengths of both prefabrication techniques and a traditional work environment to support lean principles and promote industrialized construction for on-site operations.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Design/methodology/approach</h3>
<p>Based on the principles of lean construction and design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA), discrete-event simulation is used to evaluate different arrangements and configurations of an on-site factory for the prefabrication of structural insulated panels (SIPs).</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Findings</h3>
<p>The proposed on-site factory provided a feasible way to promote lean and industrialized construction principles. Also, these types of factories are particularly relevant for projects in remote areas that do not have sufficient infrastructure. Further, it is also a good solution for strengthening the local economy by using local labor and suppliers, hence assisting in the creation of a socially responsible framework.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Originality/value</h3>
<p>This study presents the design of an on-site factory for the prefabrication of SIPs. This type of on-site assembly supports not only lean principles but also promotes social responsibility by capitalizing on local labor. This approach could be particularly interesting for construction companies in developing countries or working in a project with limited infrastructure.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)

On-site factories to support lean principles and industrialized construction

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec><h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>Construction companies hold great significance in Saudi Arabia due to new developments taking place in the region. A project automatically turns out better if it has been selected based on the level of expertise and resources available to the construction company and vice versa.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Purpose</h3>
<p>The study aims to investigate the importance of project selection by the contractors within the Saudi construction industry.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Methodology</h3>
<p>The study has employed a quantitative research design to conduct a survey through the administration of questionnaire. A total of 46 employees from construction companies were selected. A questionnaire was distributed among maintenance contractors, contractors, and construction contractors.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Findings</h3>
<p>The findings have shown that mostly organizations were unclassified or classified under the fifth category (projects valuing AED10,000,000 or lesser) (34.8%). Most of the respondents (94.4%) agreed that consideration of the project selection is important. Moreover, there is a positive correlation between the level of importance given to the project selection and the organizational size of the respondents. Success factors play an important role in the project selection phase.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Practical implications</h3>
<p>Careful project selection is the first step toward the success of the construction company, so it needs to be carried out carefully.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

College of Community, Engineering Sciences and Techniques Department

Assessing the role and significance of project selection by the contractors in the Saudi construction industry

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Large infrastructure investments are expected to be of sustained value to society for a long time. Such investment projects include, for instance, hospitals, tunnels, sport arenas, power plants, roads, railways, and bridges. They involve a complex organization of contracts and agreements. The client is expected to plan, procure, and determine the critical steps of a project, while the contractor should solve issues raised by the client. Many of these agreements are path-dependent and reflect past routines, experiences, and contacts. As such, many investments tend to return to similar sources instead of replacing routines and collaborations that did not work. This can cause change orders that furthermore reflect consequences such as cost and time overruns. While much is known about these effects in construction projects, this paper sheds light on the drivers of change orders. We build upon a sample of 234 observations responding to a survey on investment planning. The results show that project assumptions are often wrong and inadequate in large investments. Such wrong assumptions are caused by interpersonal and leadership issues, poor planning, or sometimes even intentional profit-seeking. Our results show that clients and contractors have different perceptions and enter contractual obligations differently. The implication is, therefore, that better routines of documentation, more frequent feedback, and more accurate or precise standards may close the gap between planning and what is actually achieved. More precise contractual agreements may also create a better process to procure, manage projects, and allocate resources.</p>
</abstract>

Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences

Drivers of cost and time overruns: A client and contractor perspective

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The objective of this study is to analyse the impact of management practices on the productivity of building construction projects in India. The methodology adopted for this study is to identify and analyse the management practice attributes from the literature review and expert focus group interviews. The identified attributes were analysed and priorities using relative weight were given by the respondents. The collected data were further analysed using SPSS 21 software. The quantitative research methodology was adopted to analyse the collected data and the following tools and techniques were applied to the data: reliability analysis to check the consistency of data collected for this study and relative importance index (RII) to prioritise and rank the attributes based on the weighted average score given by the respondents. The findings of this study concluded that coordination between all stakeholders, ability to handle the crisis by the project managers, social skills of key team managers, timely payment of completed works and design capability and frequent design changes are the most significant attributes of management practice, affecting construction productivity and having a rating on the RII of 0.91, 0.90, 0.88, 0.87 and 0.87.</p>
</abstract>

Impact of management practices on construction productivity in Indian building construction projects: an empirical study<xref ref-type="fn" rid="j_otmcj-2021-0007_fn_001"><sup>1</sup></xref>

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This paper aims to develop a framework to achieve sustainability by overcoming the challenges of the construction supply chain (CCSC) during the design process. To achieve this, two approaches, namely theoretical and practical, were used to accomplish four objectives. For the theoretical approach, based on literature review and case studies, the objective used was to identify, classify and validate the challenges that the construction supply chain (CSC) encounter. For the practical approach, a survey questionnaire was employed to quantify the CCSC and investigate the perception of architectural design firms (ADFs) in Egypt towards achieving sustainability by overcoming the CCSC during the design process. Based on the results, the research developed a framework to overcome the CCSC as an approach towards achieving sustainability in construction projects during the design process. The research identified and validated 20 challenges that the CSC encounter towards achieving sustainability during the design process. These challenges were classified under four categories, namely (1) design and technical process; (2) coordination, information flow and accuracy; (3) material specification, technology, supplier rework and whole life cycle cost; and (4) skills gap of the qualified architects and design managers and non-compliance to building codes, regulations, laws and standards. In addition, a survey questionnaire was employed to rank these challenges according to their importance on 1–5 Likert scale using the measure of central tendency and dispersion and relative importance index (RII).</p>
</abstract>

Architectural Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering

A framework for achieving sustainability by overcoming the challenges of the construction supply chain during the design process

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Buildings are interactive environments in which their operations and occupants are linked. Although buildings are operated according to the standards, occupant complaints may arise when there is a mismatch between indoor environmental conditions and actual user needs. Therefore, the accuracy of thermal comfort prediction models suggested by the standards and alternative prediction models need to be investigated. This study aims at assessing the performance of the predicted mean vote (PMV) model suggested by the ISO 7730 Standard to detect occupant thermal dissatisfaction. In addition, a multivariate logistic regression model was developed to predict thermal complaints with respect to “too warm” and “too cold.” This case study was conducted in a commercial building located in Paris, France, between January 2017 and May 2018. Indoor environmental conditions were monitored via sensors and an online tool was used to collect occupant thermal complaints. A total of 53 thermal complaints were analyzed. The results showed that all the operative temperature measurements in both the heating and cooling seasons were within the thresholds suggested by the standards. The PMV method suggested that only 4% of the occupants were dissatisfied with the indoor environment whereas the actual dissatisfaction ratio was 100% under these indoor environmental conditions. In addition, the multivariate logistic regression model showed that operative temperature and season have a significant effect on thermal complaints. Furthermore, the accuracy of the developed model was 90.6%.</p>
</abstract>

Analyzing and modeling thermal complaints in a commercial building in France

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 16 (2024): Issue 1 (January 2024)

Volume 15 (2023): Issue 1 (January 2023)

Volume 14 (2022): Issue 1 (January 2022)

Volume 13 (2021): Issue 2 (July 2021)

Volume 13 (2021): Issue 1 (January 2021)

Volume 12 (2020): Issue 1 (January 2020)

Volume 11 (2019): Issue 1 (January 2019)

Volume 10 (2018): Issue 1 (February 2018)

Volume 9 (2017): Issue 1 (January 2017)

Volume 8 (2016): Issue 1 (December 2016)

Organization, Technology and Management in Construction: an International Journal

 OTMC is an international journal that promotes and facilitates the development of organization, technology and management in construction, within the regions of Central and Southeastern Europe. This does not exclude contributions worldwide. The journal will provide those from both the public and private sectors with: the latest research results, models and methodologies, case studies of best practice, research trends and future directions.  The Organization Technology and Management in construction: An International Journal publishes articles in the following fields:   Project Management in Construction  Construction Management  Building Information Modelling  Asset management  Facility Management and Maintenance  Organizational Issues  Contracting  Project Planning and Design  Construction Materials and Methods  Cost and Schedule  Labour and Personnel Issues  Information Technologies  Strategy, Decision making, Risk, and Finance  Public, Society, and Legal issues  Contemporary Issues    Each of these fields contain several optional subclasses for more detailed classification of paper topic.  Our journal publishes the following article types:    Research paper (dealing with the research of methods, methodologies, models etc.)  Technical paper (dealing with the application of methods, methodologies, models etc.)  Viewpoint (Should not be longer than 2000 words. Viewpoints may offer comments on other papers published by this Journal - also erratum - as well as offer original contributions)  Case study (Should specify: background and content objectives, i.e. what we were trying to do, eminent events that make this study important, the results and how they were obtained and the implications for others involved in studies of organization, technology and management in construction)  Literature review (Literature review should provide a comprehensive overview of the topic reviewed, followed by a critical discussion of the review, giving recommendations for further research)   Publishing details  OTMC journal is published in annual volumes.Each year consists of one volume. The papers are published successively each month.All articles in the journal are the views of the authors and are not necessarily those of the journal.  The Owner and Co-Publisher of the journal is Univeristy of Zagreb  Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 