Editorial

Citation

Goulding, J. (2007), "Editorial", Construction Innovation, Vol. 7 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ci.2007.33307baa.001

Editorial

The first paper by Tam et al., introduces several core pressing issues facing the Hong Kong construction industry regarding the control and management of construction waste due to severe landfill constraints. Governmental regulatory control mechanisms for controlling construction waste are reviewed and evaluated using a trichotomy of research techniques, namely: questionnaires, case studies, and interview discussions with domain experts. This structured approach was adopted in order to tease out the commitments and responsibilities placed on project participants. Research findings identify that legal obligations seem to rest predominantly with contractors, with fewer commitments being placed on other project parties, i.e. project clients, designers, and consultants. A more balanced and equitable apportionment of governmental obligations is proposed, so that each of the project stakeholders can play a more active role in the control and management of construction waste.

The second paper by Rustom and Yahia identifies the importance of determining activity durations for project scheduling. The growing literature on probabilistic approaches to project scheduling is discussed, together with discreet-event simulation. This paper uses a case study approach based on a shore protection scheme in Gaza to demonstrate the use of simulation for estimating production rates (and their impact to optimise project time schedules). Research findings indicate that simulation can be an effective tool in modelling project activities and processes vis-à-vis interdependencies, conditional sequencing, and prioritisation of activities. In this context, simulation is purported to be more effective for scheduling operations than often associated with conventional approaches.

The third paper by Memon et al., introduces the importance of monitoring and measuring construction progress. This paper introduces and evaluates the merits and demerits of several conventional techniques, and introduces a digitalizing construction monitoring system for discussion. This system can integrate 3D CAD drawings and digital images; moreover, it can also convert 2D images (using photogrammetry) into coordinates. A case study from Malaysia is presented for discussion, through which this system is tested and evaluated. Research findings identify that 3D coordinates generated from this system can be used to generate “as-built” schedules and produce progress reports. The authors' advocate that implementation of this system could help improve the overall speed and accuracy of the decision-making process appertaining to construction project progress.

The final paper by Björnfot and Jongeling introduces the problems often associated with the prefabrication of multi-storey timber housing units in Sweden. This research uses a case study approach to evaluate two process design methods for planning construction operations, these being: line of balance, and 4D CAD simulation. Research findings to date have identified that the line of balance and 4D CAD simulation approaches can be integrated together to form an enhanced spatial appreciation of scheduled construction activities. The authors' also advocate that this approach can help improve overall efficiency, increase productivity, help reduce construction waste, and help procure improved “value” throughout the whole construction process.

Jack Goulding