Level: Intermediate
Venue: 2019 AACE International Conference & Expo, June 16-19, 2019, New Orleans, LA, USA
Abstract: Cost overruns and schedule delays are commonplace in the building construction industry and often result from poor production management and control in the field. Production management and control systems in construction should provide a framework which is intuitive and visually evident for all levels of management and trade supervisors. This paper presents the clear flow matrix (CFMx), a novel production management and control technique for building construction. The CFMx consists of a matrix integration of the trade activities and locations wherein time and workflow rhythm are represented through the progress of a unique balanced workfront, which balances client completion demand and trade contractor operations efficiency as trade work progresses through the building areas. Work sampling analysis (WSA) conducted on three CFMx building projects including a hospital, a school and a multi-family development, confirmed the effectiveness achieved by the CFMx through direct work ratios exceeding reported industry averages. Questionnaire/interviews of trade supervisors and managers from these projects verified that the matrix-based tool is visually evident, intuitive and easily implemented in the field without the need for extensive knowledge of scheduling concepts or training.
Venue: 2019 AACE International Conference & Expo, June 16-19, 2019, New Orleans, LA, USA
Abstract: Cost overruns and schedule delays are commonplace in the building construction industry and often result from poor production management and control in the field. Production management and control systems in construction should provide a framework which is intuitive and visually evident for all levels of management and trade supervisors. This paper presents the clear flow matrix (CFMx), a novel production management and control technique for building construction. The CFMx consists of a matrix integration of the trade activities and locations wherein time and workflow rhythm are represented through the progress of a unique balanced workfront, which balances client completion demand and trade contractor operations efficiency as trade work progresses through the building areas. Work sampling analysis (WSA) conducted on three CFMx building projects including a hospital, a school and a multi-family development, confirmed the effectiveness achieved by the CFMx through direct work ratios exceeding reported industry averages. Questionnaire/interviews of trade supervisors and managers from these projects verified that the matrix-based tool is visually evident, intuitive and easily implemented in the field without the need for extensive knowledge of scheduling concepts or training.