bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internet‐based information and communication systems on remote construction projects: a case study analysis
Authors: Weippert A. , Kajewski S.L. , Tilley P.A.
Published: June 2007

In an attempt to bring the unique talents of various construction industry project participants together in a more productive and integrated manner, the Online Remote Construction Management (ORCM) project commenced in July 1999 proposing to test, field trial, and/or evaluate the implementation of various Internet‐based Construction Project Management (ICPM) systems and information and communication technologies (ICT) on five case study projects over a two‐year period. This paper provides final results, findings, and recommendations obtained after two years of research, surveying, and benchmarking activities on one of the five ORCM case study projects. “Critical Success Factors” are identified, offering a positive contribution to the successful implementation of ICT tools and ICPM systems on remote construction projects. Similar research activities were undertaken on the other four ORCM case study projects and will be considered in future papers.
Developing distributed design capabilities in the construction supply chain
Authors: Elliman Tony , Orange Graham
Published: June 2007

This paper reviews the changing nature of construction design and the potential for e‐procurement to respond to these changes. With the emphasis shifting from supply‐driven to demand‐driven product design the trading relationships within the industry must become more complex. This paper hypothesizes an electronic market in design and supply capability to exploit distributed design knowledge within the supply chain. In their current form, e‐commerce and brokering systems are too immature to support such relationships, but many elements of a technical solution are available. However, how they will reshape working practices is uncertain and this poses architectural and human organization problems for information systems (IS) developers. They must anticipate and address changes in working practices across a whole group of industries competing within a complex market place. We postulate a development approach that uses simulation models supported by soft systems methods to explore these process re‐engineering options and human issues. The simulation of new business processes, combined with prototype IS designs, offers a powerful mechanism for evaluating the effects of proposed architectures for “design transactions” in e‐procurement. The open learning that occurs in simulation experiments is also a key element in helping the management of the individual organizations in understanding how to shape their particular contribution to the new collaborative process. A major barrier to enhancing construction industry performance in this way is the defensive nature of existing contracts and lack of trust between parties; we therefore propose the use of COLA process in parallel with the simulation work to engender trust and improved working relationships between the collaborating organizations.
Complex early design inquiries via generative design agents
Authors: Brahme R. , Mahdavi A.
Published: June 2007

It is important to provide building performance feedback to the designer as early as possible in the design process. However, many aspects of building performance are significantly affected by the design of the building’s technical systems (e.g., heating, airconditioning), which are typically configured in detail only in the later stages of design. The challenge is thus to find a method to use detailed simulation tools even during the early stages of design when values for many of the variables for the building’s technical systems are not yet available. In this paper, we demonstrate how this problem can be partially solved by use of differential representation for building and technical system, homology‐based automatic mapping of relevant information from the building to the technical system representation, and generative design agents which, with a minimal user‐input, can design and model the technical system. We conclude the paper with illustrative examples of detailed performance analysis of complex buildings and their heating, ventilation, and air‐conditioning systems, performed in early stages of design.
A decision support tool for construction bidding
Authors: Marzouk M. , Moselhi O.
Published: June 2007

A reliable estimate of markup is essential for successful bid proposals. This paper presents a decision support model for construction bidding. The developed model can assist contractors in estimating markup, and owners and/or their agents in evaluating bid proposals. The model is generic and can be used as a tool to evaluate different alternatives in engineering, procurement, and construction. It utilizes the multi‐attribute utility theory and the analytic hierarchy process and makes use of their advantages. Unlike models developed for similar purposes, the proposed model provides a decision support environment for the two functions; that is, estimating markup and evaluating bids. It also enables the user to construct the decision hierarchy that best suits his/her company’s business environment and bidding strategy in a flexible manner. It accounts for the decision maker’s attitude towards risk. Two numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the use and capabilities of the proposed model.
IFESS: a computer tool to aid structural engineers at the conceptual design stage
Authors: Idrus A. , Newman J.
Published: June 2007

The conceptual stage of building design is where the most important decisions are made, for example, in determining the choice of structural elements such as floors. However, decisions made at this stage, particularly those involving costs and speeds, are often based on subjective judgement, rules of thumb and familiarity. This paper reports on the development of a computer spreadsheet tool that employs a more objective and systematic procedure in selecting concrete floors at the conceptual design stage, in which costs and speeds are quantitatively evaluated using, respectively, the method of elemental estimating and a simple bar chart technique, but in conjunction with a specially developed “lead‐in index”method. The results of the evaluation are then tabulated and systematically ranked to facilitate selection of the best floor system. The tool would thus assist engineers to make a more well‐informed and rapid choice of floor systems at the early design stage.
Utility of consistency measure in the analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Cheng E.W.L. , Li H.
Published: June 2007

The main purpose of this study is to provide some empirical evidence to support the consistency measure as an essential component in the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), which is known to be a research method useful to both decision making and empirical research in construction information and management. The measure helps to affirm that individual decision makers capture logical and reasonable preferences when making decisions. It also supports empirical research conducted by either practitioners or academic researchers to ensure that the questionnaires are not poorly answered. Measure of the consistency level is expected to be able to detect inconsistent responses. In this study, strategies have been adopted to compare the AHP with the simple rating method to justify the criticality of consistency using data from a study of construction supply chain information. Three groups of responses (overall, consistent and inconsistent) based on the consistency measure were compared. Results indicate that responses to the AHP method having acceptable consistency (the consistent group) were shown to be consistent with the responses from the simple rating method. This supports that the consistent responses are reliable. Suggestions are given to improve the undertaking of AHP research.
Project scheduling and monitoring: current research status
Authors: Ahuja V. , Thiruvengadam V.
Published: June 2007

Project scheduling/rescheduling occurs in all stages of projects, from feasibility stage to monitoring stage to completion. Since the late 1950s, network‐based techniques CPM (critical path method) and PERT (programme evaluation review technique) are the techniques commonly used for project management. However, there are limitations in working with these tools that need to be overcome. Also, the computing ef. ciency of classic CPM/PERT analysis needs to be enhanced. Substantial research has been carried out globally in this field covering all areas of project scheduling: time scheduling, resource scheduling, cost scheduling, modern project management techniques, advanced mathematical models used for construction scheduling, and so on. To understand and document this research status, the authors have carried out an extensive study of various journals, published and unpublished research papers, and present this literature review.
A learning culture for strategic partnering in construction
Authors: Cheng Eddie W.L. , Li Heng , Love Peter , Irani Zahir
Published: June 2007

This paper highlights the importance of creating a learning culture for strategic partnering in construction. Theories of organizational learning and strategic partnering are interpolated to identify the related attributes that help to relate and intertwine the two concepts. With the emergence of a learning culture, organizations are able to undergo the transition from no organizational learning to integrated organizational learning, which in turn reinforces the embedded culture. Since learning from experience, continuous improvement and a learning climate are pre‐conditions for a learning culture, three models are presented respectively in dealing with issues relating to these conditions. These models help to attain strategic partnering.
Survey of information technology applications in construction
Authors: El‐Ghandour W. , Al‐Hussein M.
Published: June 2007

Information technology in construction (ITC) has become a key topic in the last two decades, gaining wide acceptance and is being implemented in the construction research domains as a tool to assist decision makers. Defining the trends of ITC application over the years is essential to provide researchers with a background of what has been done and to shed light on what direction to take in the future application of ITC. This paper presents a holistic view of ITC applications in construction during the last ten years. It describes survey results in the application of information technology in construction, which have been published in twelve scientific journals between 1992 and 2001. This paper focuses primarily on nine ITC tools. It describes their integration, and their use in forty‐three construction applications.
Nurturing a learning organization in construction: a focus on strategic shift, organizational transformation, customer orientation and quality centered learning
Authors: Love Peter E.D. , Huang Jimmy C. , Edwards David J. , Irani Zahir
Published: June 2007

The construction industry resides in a period of intense introspection as it seeks to improve its performance and productivity. Yet, yielding such improvements requires each individual organization to adopt a customer value strategy that enables organizational learning to become an integral part of an organization’s fabric. This paper reviews the elements of a learning organization within the context of the construction environment. A conceptual framework that can provide managers with a better understanding of how a learning organization in construction can be nurtured is presented. Embodied within this framework are factors such as strategic shift, organization transformation, customer orientation and quality centered learning. The paper concludes by suggesting that the key success factor for each individual organization may no longer be a matter of size or the number of assets, but the amount and quality of experience it can apply and manage.
Multidimensional visualization of project control data
Authors: Songer A.D. , Hays B. , North C.
Published: June 2007

The construction industry produces voluminous quantitative data. Much of this data is created during the controls phase of projects and relates to cost, schedule, and administrative information. Recent storage and processing advances in computers as well as display capabilities afforded by computer graphics increase the opportunity to monitor projects fundamentally different from existing project control systems. However, changes in project control methods have been slow to evolve. The lack of a fundamental model of project control data representation contributes to the inadequate application and implementation of visual tools in project control methods. Difficulties associated with the graphical representation of data can be traced to the diversity of skills required in creating visual information displays. Owing to the reality that not all engineers/constructors possess these attributes in great strength, streamlining the process of how to best visualize data is important. Visual representations of data hold great potential for reducing communication difficulties fostered by industry fragmentation. However, without information structure, organization, and visual explanations, the massive amount of data available to project managers results in information overload. Therefore, improved information displays are needed to overcome the possibility of information overload with the capability of human perception. This paper discusses research to create a framework for visual representation of construction project data. Underlying visualization theory, the visual framework, and a detailed implementation are provided.
Developing a framework for a standardized works programme for building projects
Authors: Blyth Karl , Lewis John , Kaka Ammar
Published: June 2007

This paper reports on the development of a framework for a standardized programme of works for construction projects. A sample of 50 buildings, encompassing a total of 11 different project functions, were surveyed and analysed. The sample was then investigated further to assess the existence of similarities and repeated operations in each individual construction project. A minimum of 20 standardized elemental options were identified. From analysis of the data and the application of practitioners’ expertise, a logical sequence of activities, including their respective dependencies, was produced. A set of six new test projects was used to see if the initial methodology was sound. It could be concluded that despite each project being unique, most buildings retain cognate, elemental options that provide the basis for any structure, and these can be standardized and used as a basis for a universal programme of construction works. The standardization of activities would enable the automation of project planning processes and hence would result in reduced administration and management costs. This will encourage contractors and other project team members to undertake planning at earlier stages of the project, hence providing the basis for more accurate cash flow, duration and cost forecasts.
Construction safety management: an exploratory study from China
Authors: Cheng Eddie W.L. , Li H. , Fang D.P. , Xie F.
Published: June 2007

This paper aims at presenting the analysis of the views of construction participants in China’s construction industry on three major site safety issues. First, data from three distinctive roles (project managers, safety officers, and foremen) on site safety knowledge were analysed. Results indicate that they have low levels of safety knowledge. This is consistent with the existing literature, implying that safety training and education is a major issue around the world. In addition, the views of project managers and safety officers are further elicited on the second issue (that is, factors affecting site safety) and the third issue (that is, methods for improving project safety management). Results indicate that both parties have quite consistent views. The six most important factors are “lack of attention to safety protection by workers”, “lack of attention to safety management by main contractors/project managers”, “insufficient safety training”, “inadequate safety level”, “tiredness of workers”, and “poor quality of construction materials and equipments”. The five most promising methods are “increase in safety investment in terms of manpower, capital and finance”, “improvement in safety operations”, “no alcohol at work”, “increase in safety training and education for workers”, and “increase in safety inspection”. Discussions are given in this paper.
A process‐driven IT training model for construction: core development issues
Authors: Goulding J.S. , Alshawi M.
Published: June 2007

Information technology (IT) has often been cited as being able to create competitive advantage. However, the degree of leverage is often dependent upon several factors, not least the type and level of IT training provided, resources available, management commitment, and prevailing level of corporate culture. This paper introduces the generic processes involved in developing an IT training framework in order to support and deliver the business strategy, and presents findings in the form of a generic IT training model. This model identifies the sequential stages needed to commission and deploy IT training in a construction environment in the form of an implementation roadmap. This model was developped with two leading UK construction organizations. Findings have identified that seven core process phases should be considered before committing resources to training. Recommendations include identifying the core business benefits and matching these to the training outcomes, albeit cognisant of barriers such as lack of empowerment, organizational culture, resource limitations, and so on.
An examination of the management challenges faced by growing SCEs in South Wales
Authors: Packham G. , Miller C.J. , Thomas B.C. , Brooksbank D.
Published: June 2007

Entrepreneurship and small business development has been subject to a considerable amount of academic speculation. Previous studies contend that small fast growth firms are more likely to have developed or acquired managerial practices in areas such as human resource management, finance and marketing. Despite this evidence there is little known as to why growing construction firms adopt key management practices. This paper examines how small growth oriented construction firms have adopted management practices to sustain growth. A group interview technique was utilized to examine the management development process within small construction firms in the South Wales area. The research revealed that while management practices such as marketing, financial management and planning had been implemented to facilitate growth, the importance of these practices often varied across firms. Nevertheless, firms that continued to be growth oriented were more inclined to consider the strategic benefits that certain practices provide. Based on these findings the paper concludes that management training initiatives aimed at improving firm development in the construction industry must be tailored to fit the strategic goals of the firm if they are to engender sustainable growth.
Managing information flow in construction supply chains
Authors: Titus Silas , Bröchner Jan
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of construction procurement within the supply chain management framework and develop a model for information flow. This paper adheres to the supply chain perspective and integration as theoretical point of departure, typically the role that information plays in a complex network such as construction procurement. The co‐ordination within partners and the integration across partners are critical in effective project management. Sharing information is a key component for tight integration to optimize the chain‐wide performance. It helps produce highest quality, low cost and minimum time to service. The tender offer from the procurer or invitation from a supplier triggers the requirement process. In response to the requirements there has to be an opposite flow of information, termed the fulfilment flow in the model described. The requirement information from a procurer is broken down to the project requirements for various partners in the project. Once the supply chain is identified in the postcontracting phase, information regarding specific tasks, materials, and so on, are communicated to the project partners. Information must be managed to bring in value. The quality of information received, the timeliness of the manner it is received and the costeffectiveness in obtaining the information determine the efficiency of a project partner. Another classification considered is that of the changing role of the partner with regard to information handling, i.e., the project partner as a recipient, decision‐maker and communicator of information. All these factors jointly contribute to increasing efficiency in construction procurement. This framework needs to be explored in future research to define subsequent steps in construction supply chain management, as the challenge is to adapt a totally integrated supply chain.
Requirements engineering for innovative integrated ICT systems for the construction industry
Authors: Arayici Yusuf , Aouad Ghassan , Ahmed Vian
Published: June 2007

Collaborative working using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) systems in construction has become a reality as many activities are performed globally with actors located in various geographical locations. Computer Integrated Construction (CIC) is the type of ICT system that binds a fragmented and geographically distributed set of construction stakeholders collaborating together. Although the concept of CIC has been the subject of research for many years, its uptake has been very limited due to the development of the technology and its effective implementation. Research in this area is still premature and does not pay much attention to the development and implementation of the prototypes in the industry. As a result, the research developments have remained as prototypes although they have captured industrial interest. However, ongoing research within the field of construction IT is stressing that it is crucial to define research methodologies for human centred and adaptive CIC developments through industry‐wide knowledge sharing. The aim of this paper, through triangulated research strategy of interviews, surveys and case study is to justify the need for a requirements engineering process as a CIC development methodology for adaptive and user‐centred systems developments and as a guideline to bridge the gap between industry and the research community. The case study project is the DIVERCITY system development undertaken by researchers and practitioners across Europe to develop a shared virtual construction design and briefing environment that enables the construction industry to better undertake the client briefing and design review phases of a construction project.
A GIS‐based site selection system for real estate projects
Authors: Li Heng , Yu Ling , Cheng Eddie W. L.
Published: June 2007

Site selection is critical for planning a real estate development project. Different mathematical and statistical models have been applied to support real estate developers in selecting suitable sites for development projects. This paper presents a new approach to site location selection that makes use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) that incorporates the utilization of the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method called a GISbased site selection system. With the implementation of this system, users can determine the most suitable site objectively and visually. The paper also demonstrates an application of the system to a residential building project.
Intelligence and maintenance proficiency: an examination of plant operators
Authors: Edwards David J. , Yang Junli , Cabahug Ruel , Love Peter E.D.
Published: June 2007

The productivity and output levels of construction plant and equipment depends in part upon a plant operator’s maintenance proficiency; such that a higher degree of proficiency helps ensure that machinery is maintained in good operational order. In the absence of maintenance proficiency, the potential for machine breakdown (and hence lower productivity) is greater. Using data gathered from plant and equipment experts within the UK, plant operators’ maintenance proficiency are modelled using a radial basis function (RBF) artificial neural network (ANN). Results indicate that the developed ANN model was able to classify proficiency at 89 per cent accuracy using 10 significant variables. These variables were: working nightshifts, new mechanical innovations, extreme weather conditions, planning skills, operator finger dexterity, years experience with a plant item, working with managers with less knowledge of plant/equipment, operator training by apprenticeship, working under pressure of time and duration of training period. It is proffered that these variables may be used as a basis for categorizing plant operators in terms of maintenance proficiency and, that their potential for influencing operator training programmes needs to be considered.
Renovation of offices: A survey of reasons, points of attention and obstacles in the Netherlands
Authors: Vijverberg Geert
Published: June 2007

A research study was recently carried out at the Technical University (TU) in Delft into the renovation of office buildings in the Netherlands. Renovation is defined as follows: ‘Structural technical intervention in or on a building, by means of which the building is adapted to new functional and technical quality requirements, without the original functional purpose being changed.’ In this context, renovation must not be confused with redevelopment. In redevelopment, large parts or even the whole supporting structure may be demolished and the original functional purpose may well be changed. As a first step in the research, on the basis of the available literature, an inventory is made of the quantity (square metres of floor surface area) and the quality of the Netherlands stock of office buildings. This literature research reveals that no reliable quantitative and qualitative data about the volume of the stock are available. The research also made it clear that no data are available with respect to the number of renovation projects, the amount of money involved and the reasons for renovating offices in the Netherlands. To address this knowledge gap, the TU Delft undertook a renovation project analysis and involved a large group of principal clients commissioning projects, project developers and architects. The results presented in this paper are interesting for academics, policy makers and practitioners in and outside the Netherlands. International literature research by the author did not bring in new insights. Readers with knowledge of similar research abroad are invited to contact the author via e‐mail.
Facility management: How a virtual model enabled a breakthrough for a high‐tech company
Authors: Kniery Dennis
Published: June 2007

In 1999, Hewlett‐Packard Company (HP) began the reinvention of the entire company to provide an infrastructure which would respond to the demands of an ever‐changing industry. This paper presents an indepth case study of the successful partnership between HP’s US Field Sales Office Facility Maintenance support team and Trammell Crow Corporate Services. The initial goal was to achieve a more efficient method of managing facility operations and maintenance. HP created the programme focus, touch points, processes and strategies. What happened was a complete reinvention of the methods that HP uses to accomplish facility support. While traditional maintenance models will always have their place in industry, this case study provides evidence that there are incredible benefits available for those industries that have the courage to change in radical ways.
Can FM evolve? If not, what future?
Authors: Price Ilfryn
Published: June 2007

Facility/facilities management’s (FM) continuing struggle with its search for a strategic identity is attested by publications of many leading authorities in the field. Some advocates of the alignment of strategic management with the real estate of facilities resource argue for new terms, for example infrastructure management or real estate asset management. This paper argues a different approach. FM is considered as a replicating memetic discourse; one that has traded the original strategic vision of the discipline’s founders for wider spread. To close the gap between strategic business alignment and operational management FM must learn to consider its performance with language and measures relevant to a particular business sector. While one can argue that core businesses should change the language in which they speak of FM, the blunt assertion is that most of the effort must be the other way. The alternative is that some other discourse will capture the strategic niche.
Selecting the best contractor to get performance: On time, on budget, meeting quality expectations
Authors: Kashiwagi Dean , Byfield Richard E.
Published: June 2007

The most important element in construction procurement is contractor selection. Particularly, hiring contractors who are performers. Why then do facility owners continue to select non‐performing contractors? This paper presents a system for contractor selection that has resulted in a 99 per cent success rate for completing facility construction on time, on budget and meeting or even exceeding quality expectations. The Performance Information Procurement System (PIPS), a full information system that discourages non‐performers, identifies the best‐performing contractor for the project and motivates the contractor to improve their performance on the current project. Based on $3.5m research and over 300 tests, PIPS has the ability to minimise the owners’ risk (not being on time, on budget, and meeting quality expectations). PIPS allows facility and project managers the ability to control the contractor selection process through the use of performance information, assuring that the right contractor is selected for each project.
Improving organisational performance by exploiting workplace flexibility
Authors: Becker Franklin
Published: June 2007

Companies large and small, in every industry, face a common challenge: do more, better, with less. The organisational problems to be solved, while meeting this kind of corporate mandate, are also widely shared: attract and retain high quality employees; strengthen brand identity; increase flexibility in the face of highly uncertain market conditions and new technologies; assimilate mergers and acquisitions; accommodate frequent changes in group and team size and structure. This paper describes findings from research that examined the workplace strategies of independent small startup initiatives, as well as those initiated inside large corporations. The findings suggest that it is possible to identify aspects of overall workplace planning and design that reduce costs and increase flexibility while maintaining or enhancing organisational effectiveness.
The impact of office environments on employee performance: The design of the workplace as a strategy for
productivity enhancement
Authors: Roelofsen Paul
Published: June 2007

One of the fundamental human requirements is a working environment that allows people to perform their work optimally under comfortable conditions. Given that buildings and air conditioning systems are designed on the basis of a certain level of discomfort, this raises the key question ‘What is the effect of the level of comfort on the productivity of people working in office environments?’ The purpose of this paper is to quantify this relationship as an aid to making choices regarding the working environment at strategic level within the facilities management process, with particular emphasis on thermal conditions.
Communication strategies for the transition of employees to an open work environment
Authors: Kleasen Kimberlynn J. , Foster Alysin
Published: June 2007

The effective and successful transition of employees to an open work environment requires the facility manager to employ many skills. One skill, communication, is critical in order to engage employees’ support and enthusiasm for change. Utilising a process to lead change and a communication strategy to engage the responses of employees to the move will help support the facility manager’s success. This paper presents models for a change process and engages employees’ responses to change that was successfully applied to manage a move for a regional office of a corporation. Also presented are four practical tools to help the facility manager focus a communication strategy in support of a successful move to an open work environment.
Developing a winning Web strategy for an organisation’s facilities and infrastructure management
Authors: Forbes Bruce K.
Published: June 2007

This paper offers tips for performing facilities and infrastructure management tasks quickly and efficiently via the Internet or an organisational intranet. When properly deployed, such Web‐centric technologies can hone an organisation’s competitive edge with best‐of‐class business processes not constrained by time zones, distance or technological platforms. Facilities management professionals will learn how to serve their clients more efficiently, while commanding greater compensation packages and securing their roles as highly valued members of the organisation.
Maximising FM’s contribution to shareholder value Part 2: Tactics for improving the capital budgeting process ‐ and producing results
Authors: Lynch Barry
Published: June 2007

Part 1 of this paper answered in the affirmative that the capital budgeting process for fixed assets can be improved (see Journal of Facilities Management, Volume One, Number One). In part 2 more than 20 improvement tactics are identified and explained. Tactics range from the simple (identifying assets that need to be written off) to the complex (tax segregation strategies). Some can be implemented by individuals (sensitivity analysis), while others (budgeting and planning software) impact all areas of an organisation. In addition to improvement tactics, a framework for improvement is outlined and potential benefits are identified.
Strategic planning for the internal marketing and communication of facilities management
Authors: Griffin Charles P.
Published: June 2007

For facility professionals, it is critical to sell a vision of facilities stewardship at every opportunity. This paper is intended to help professionals assess their current internal marketing activities and provide direction on the development and execution of an effective marketing plan. For those who already have a plan, this paper may help inject new life into it. The marketing cycle and tools will be reviewed, examples of marketing objectives will be provided, and then ways of creating and managing a successful programme will be reviewed. The objective here is to help facility managers learn how to: (1) evaluate the current business environment and create a strategic plan; (2) create a marketing plan to support the business strategic plan; and (3) execute the implementation plan for the marketing strategy.
Managing resistance to change in workplace accommodation projects
Authors: Laframboise Denise , Nelson Rodney L. , Schmaltz Jason
Published: June 2007

The new management paradigm states that managing people is about managing feelings. For many people, change is a very
personal and emotional issue, and can be difficult, especially when it involves their work environment. Employee resistance can pose significant obstacles to the planning and development of an office space relocation, particularly for projects that attempt to change the way in which people work. The relocation of employees is expensive, in terms of both operational costs and investments. This paper deals with both the psychological as well as the economic impacts of introducing a change. It is intended to equip facility managers who are delivering projects to understand not only the change process, but also more importantly, to discern why employees resist change and provide them with a multifaceted approach to facilitating the change process. One key element for managing the resistance to change is the use of effective, ongoing and varied communication vehicles. This paper includes an inventory of recommended communication tools that have proved to be both effective and successful. It will share experiences through ‘lessons learned’, that will demonstrate how ‘skipping steps’ in the process can jeopardise the success of the project. It is hoped to establish that time and resources expended towards the management of the resistance to change equate to time and effort well spent and can make the difference between success and failure.
Setting service standards: A structured approach to delivering outstanding customer service for the facility manager
Authors: Bandy Nancy M.
Published: June 2007

Rapid changes in the facilities management environment combined with the rising expectations of users has made effective customer service one of the most important factors contributing to success in today’s efficient facilities management operations. To create an effective customer service programme, it is necessary to analyse needs and set appropriate standards that consider the total requirements and unique resource structure of the service providers in the facility environment. By taking advantage of the latest industry research and proven methods for establishing service standards, the facility manager can design and implement customer service programmes that contribute dramatically to customer satisfaction and the overall performance of the facilities management operation.
Maximising returns on dead assets: How to increase a facility’s reliability and generate revenue
Authors: Patel Bhavesh S.
Published: June 2007

On‐site power has many potential benefits, from temporary relief to congested transmission and distribution systems, to alleviating problems created by incorrect load forecasts, all the way to meeting the load requirements of a facility. Many of these assets are being installed to take advantage of one or more of the above opportunities. This paper shows how effective utilisation of these assets not only increases the reliability of a facility, but also helps generate revenue from assets that would otherwise sit idle. It goes on to demonstrate to facility managers how they can successfully implement such a model through better understanding of their facilities’ needs combined with financial details of various programmes offered by local suppliers of electricity.
Developing a training plan to ensure employees keep up with the dynamics of facility management
Authors: Korsten Agnita D.
Published: June 2007

Facility management departments are under constant pressure to adapt to ensure that their primary functions are supported in the best possible way and are aligned with the overall goals of the business. Given the multitude of pressures at work, the speed at which they are forced to adapt is relentless. The question is: How does one ensure employees are able to keep up? This paper describes how FM departments and employees can work together to develop the skills at the pace necessary to achieve this. Many HRM instruments can be used including recruitment and selection, performance reviews, training and career guidance. This paper specifically focuses on one key tool which supports this process: the training plan, and what steps the facility manager has to go through to design, implement and evaluate one which best fits the needs of their operation.
Using a condition‐dependent approach to maintenance to control costs and performances
Authors: Straub Ad
Published: June 2007

By adopting a condition‐dependent approach to maintenance, facility managers can exercise control over the desired maintenance performance levels and costs. The practice of condition assessment by building inspectors yielded variable results due to subjective perceptions of inspectors. Nowadays well‐trained building inspectors are able to manage condition surveys and provide property managers with objective, reliable information about performance loss and defects in building components. The implementation of various performance levels in planned maintenance requires not only the standardisation of the condition assessment method, but also the related planning methodology. This paper describes the findings from research in the Netherlands which examined the methodology of condition assessment of building components using a six‐point condition scale. Different categories of performance loss in maintenance are distinguished and linked to different kinds of maintenance activities.
International emergency planning for facilities management
Authors: Hardy Victoria , Roberts Phil
Published: June 2007

It is hard to find good news stories about disasters. Disasters seriously damage an organisation’s health. Of businesses that experience a disaster, 40 per cent never reopen and 30 per cent close within 2 years. Perhaps because of this, over 80 per cent of UK facility managers in a recent survey now report that they maintain a Business Continuity Plan which most of them review at least once a year. An increasing number, however, now find themselves responsible for a portfolio of international facilities spanning continents and time zones. This paper looks at some real life implications of global business recovery planning. In the wake of September 11th, one can hardly do less. This paper provides strategies and justifications for international emergency planning procedures and processes. Practitioners will gain valuable information from actual events and case studies to validate the concepts offered as a model. It may seem that some of the information and processes which are outlined in this paper are obvious; but that is the point. The obvious can be overlooked, and excuses can be made for the lack of implementation of emergency plans. But those excuses will not stand in the light of real disasters and cataclysmic events.
The business case for high performance green buildings: Sustainability and its financial impact
Authors: von Paumgartten Paul
Published: June 2007

This paper endeavours to present building owners, managers, architects and design/builders with a compelling business case for considering a green building for their new construction projects. A green building, for the purposes of this paper, refers to any building that meets the high standards set forth in the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™, the pre‐eminent metric system by which new buildings are judged to be environmentally conscious. The financial benefits of green buildings are many. They include reduced energy consumption and their associated costs, increased occupant productivity and worker retention, increased market values, and reduced health liability risks due to better indoor air quality. Individual building measures are presented through a tertiary examination of two LEED Certified buildings. These individual benefits are examined further as an integrated building whole, indicating that buildings constructed to LEED standards can save more than 250 per cent of its up‐front costs over the course of its 40‐year useable life cycle.
Delivering minimalist workplaces that improve corporate agility
Authors: Bradley Stephen , Hood Christopher
Published: June 2007

Unwarranted allocation of personal space and the accumulation of personal ‘stuff’ can become impediments to business agility, turning conventional offices into ‘millstones’ which suppress an organisation’s ability to change direction smartly in the face of new competition and other business forces. Workplace design needs to cater for perpetual change of occupancy, organisation, work processes and messages about the business. Tangible assets should be dynamic, adaptable and even portable. Setting aside arguments in favour of ‘showpiece’ corporate headquarters, this paper advocates that what is needed to help business units to stay competitive is a ‘minimalist workspace’ ‐ kept free of ‘stuff’ that clutters and impedes quick and inexpensive adaptation to local needs, every few months rather than every few years. The minimalist workplace does not need to be bland or impersonal. Imaginative design and minute attention to detail of the physical environment and the tools, technology and support services can produce attractive and ‘liveable’ environments which can successfully accommodate personal preference and promote a sense of belonging as well as mobility. This paper outlines four ‘golden rules’ for best practice in the minimalist workplace, demanding more proactive space management and more intelligent real estate design and specification to cater for greater utilisation of facilities.
Best practices in real property management in state governments
Authors: Wohlfeld Kuhn Andrea
Published: June 2007

The US General Services Administration (GSA) sought to identify innovative and best practices in real property management at the state level, with the intent that sharing these practices may lead to creative new approaches throughout all levels of government. The resulting study focused on four aspects of real property management and identified the following states as exemplars: (1) Acquisition and construction (Maryland, Minnesota, Utah) (2) Operations and maintenance (Michigan, Missouri, Utah) (3) Web‐enabled software (Texas, Washington) (4) Public‐private partnerships (Arizona, Washington) Many of these best practices have resulted in streamlined operations, cost savings, and innovative solutions to complex problems. They offer new ideas for real property management. In order to perform the study, GSA contracted with George Washington (GW) University. The GSA study team included the following members: Marjorie Lomax, Director of the Evaluation and Outreach Division, Andrea Wohlfeld Kuhn, Project Team Leader, and team members Dennis Goldstein, Sheldon Greenberg,Robert Harding, Jonathan Herz and Rebekah Pearson. The GW team was under the direction of Dr Kathryn Newcomer, PhD, Principal Investigator, with Robin Kane and Howard Smith as Research Associates. The following paper is an excerpt of the study. The entire document can be downloaded at http://www.gsa.gov/statesrpbp
Controlled transparency in workplace design: Balancing visual and acoustic interaction in office environments
Authors: Chigot Pierre
Published: June 2007

Workspace is no longer defined by opaque surfaces. Transparency, through the extensive use of glazed facades and
partitions, is a common ingredient in today’s office buildings. In some cases, this can lead to a loss of physical borders for the employee. For the end‐user, this implies that the experience of the building and the interaction with the organisation seen from a visual point of view might be different from those seen from an acoustical point of view. This paper outlines how controlled transparency can bring value to office environments and proposes a set of guidelines for accommodating and managing office facilities where visual and acoustic interaction are in balance. In this way, transparency will not overrule the personal integrity and needs of each of employee.
The future of work: Changing patterns of workforce management and their impact on the workplace
Authors: Ware James , Grantham Charles
Published: June 2007

This paper reports on a year‐long research project undertaken by the authors and a group of sponsoring corporations to explore the future of work and thereby the workplace. Experiences, ideas and data were shared to address questions about the changing nature of the workforce itself, new workplace designs, new technology capabilities and the economics of supporting and leveraging knowledge workers. But this paper does more than report on specific findings, it interprets, predicts and offers the authors’ personal perspectives in order to share with readers their own views of the issues and challenges facing facility managers today as they prepare their organisations for a changing and very different world of work in the near future.