Work-In-Progress

N Z B E R S

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering The University of Auckland

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)

Sheila Belayutham

By:

Research Motivation/ Problem Statement Research Objectives Research Method Conceptual framework Anticipated results Benefits to the industry Outstanding work References

Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.

Poor performance of the pre-construction stage will negatively influence the progress of following works, consequently impairing the overall project’s performance (Waly and Thabet, 2002; Kolltveit and Gronhaug, 2004).

Previous studies done to improve the pre-construction stage were not holistically envisioned and focused only in improving certain aspects within the stage (Freire and Alarcon, 2002; Hagstrom and Wollner, 2011).

The importance of addressing process complexity is undermined due to limited research found in this area. It is extremely critical to address process complexity as it is the root cause for subsequent problems (Hogan et al. 2012), as shown in the following diagram.

Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.

Aim To establish a conceptual framework that applies lean

thinking to reduce process complexity at the pre-construction stage.

Objectives To define process complexity To provide linkage between lean thinking, process

complexity and the pre-construction stage To propose lean based solutions to improve process

complexity at the pre-construction stage To demonstrate the application of the framework in real

project.

Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.

Scope of Research Pre-construction stage Process complexity Public construction project Data Case study (Interviews, document review)

Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.

Empirical data gathering stages Stage 1: Case selection. Interview with project

manager and personnel involved in order to understand the flow of work at the pre-construction stage.

Stage 2: Conduct case study by collecting pre-construction records, documents, time, processes, participants, etc.

Stage 3: Data from case study is represented in the form of lean based mapping using Value Stream Map (VSM) and process map. Current map that represents the present processes is produced. Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research

paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.

Method of data analysis Data will be analysed based on the current map, to distinguish the

complexity of the system.

Metrics and measurement standard Control-Flow Complexity (CFC) metrics (Cardoso, 2006). Using an established equation, complexity of the processes could be

calculated and results will be in the form of a round figure. The higher the value, the more complex the processes are.

Lean government metrics (US EPA, 2009). Variables include: Lead time, process steps, decisions, delays,

handoffs and loops. The occurrence rate of those variables will be determined from the

current map and lean based strategies will be proposed to reduce the amount of those waste.

Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.

Research Works 2014

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

Establish the foundation of study

Conceptual Framework

Data collection

Data analysis

Discussion, suggestions and conclusion

Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.

Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.

Preliminary and Anticipated Results

Objective 1 Process complexity is defined with adoption from Business Process Management

(BPM). The metrics and measurement standards were later derived from BPM based

Control-Flow Complexity metrics and lean government metrics. The metrics and measurement standards will be used to assess complexity in

processes quantitatively. Objective 2 The establishment of relationship between lean thinking, process complexity and

pre-construction stage enables the pre-construction complexity to be viewed from a lean perspective, subsequently improving the system using lean approaches.

Objective 3 Lean based solution to improve the current processes is derived in relation to the

11 lean principles. Objective 4 The framework is modelled based on real case study. Quantitative value of

complexity on real project can be expected and future improved state is anticipated with recommended improvement strategies that abide the lean principles.

Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.

Significance of Research Theoretical

Introduced the perspective of process complexity as a waste, from the administration waste stand point.

The established metrics and measurement standards allow for rich and comprehensive understanding of complexity within the current state.

Practical Allows identification and improvements to be made for the commonly

neglected aspect of process complexity. Positive improvements taken to address the root cause (process

complexity) will have positive influence on other aspects of work that eventually increases project’s performance.

Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.

Data analysis Discussion, recommendation and conclusion

Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.

Cardoso, J. (2006). Approaches to Compute Workflow Complexity. Paper presented at the Dagstuhl Seminar “The Role of Business Processes in Service Oriented Architectures”, Dagstuhl, Germany. Retrieved from http://drops.dagstuhl.de/opus/volltexte/2006/821

Freire, J., & Alarcón, L. (2002). Achieving lean design process: improvement methodology. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 128, 248-256.

Hagström, M., & Wollner, M. (2011). Implementing lean procurement, opportunities, methods and hinders for medium sized enterprises - a case study. Unpublished Master’s dissertation, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.

Hogan, S., Puleo, M., & Virginkar, A. (2012). Case studies in reducing process complexity in G&A and shared services- Driving to capture the next generation of continuous improvement in service delivery transformation. Addressing General and Administrative (G&A) Complexity: Deloitte Development LLC.

Kolltveit, B. J., & Grønhaug, K. (2004). The importance of the early phase: the case of construction and building projects. International Journal of Project Management, 22(7), 545-551. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2004.03.002

United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). (2009). Lean government metrics guide. Retrieved 1st October 2014 from http://www.epa.gov/lean/government/pdf/Metrics_guide.pdf Waly, A. F., & Thabet, W. Y. (2003). A virtual construction environment for preconstruction planning. Automation in

Construction, 12(2), 139-154. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0926-5805(02)00047-X

Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.

THANK YOU

Belayutham, S. (2014), Process complexity at the pre-construction phase: A lean based solution, Research paper presented at the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS), 14 November, Massey University, Albany campus.