• Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2018

US transportation agencies are dealing with shrinking budgets, limited work forces, and deteriorating infrastructure. In order to cope with funding uncertainty, state highway agencies are now looking into their own organizations and identifying programs, practices, and processes that have potential for cost saving. A quality assurance (QA) program is an integral part of highway construction and ensures a project's contracted level of quality. The cost of quality (conforming and nonconforming) can constitute a sizable part of total construction cost. As the quality assurance programs evolved, various practices and processes were developed over time and later adopted by state highway agencies. These practices and processes include different QA standards and specifications, varying testing methods, central testing lab vs. on site testing, performance based vs. prescribed quality assurance practices, implementation of innovative quality assurance practices, etc. Therefore, there is an opportunity to assess different QA strategies and recommend those practices that are effective and cost efficient. A national survey was conducted by the authors, which provided a detailed mapping of various QA practices and processes used as part of QA programs and identified areas where agencies can focus on for cost savings. The survey found that QA sampling and testing plans, optimization of sampling plans, optimization of QA standards and specifications, and implementation of innovative test methods and processes are the main areas the agencies should focus to lean the current QA programs.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.144-152
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• 2013

Design is an iterative, generative, and multidisciplinary process by its nature. Iteration occurs often in most of the engineering design and development projects including construction. Design iterations cause rework, and extra efforts are required to get the optimal sequence and to manage the projects. Contrary to simple design, isolation of the generative iterations in complex design systems is very difficult, but reduction in overall iterations is possible. Design depends upon the information flow within domain and also among various design disciplines and organizations. Therefore, it is suggested that managers should be aware about the crucial iterations causing rework and optimal sequence as well. In this way, managers can handle design parameters related to such iterations pro-actively. There are a number of techniques to reduce iterations for various kinds of engineering designs. In this paper, parameter based Design Structure Matrix (DSM) is chosen. To create this DSM, a survey was performed and then partitioned using a model. This paper provides an easy approach to those companies involved in or intend to be involved in "design and build projects".

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.57-65
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• 2007

Last Planner System (LPS) developed by Lean Construction Institute consists of four steps: Master Schedule, Phase Schedule, Lookahead Planning and Weekly Work Plan. This paper focuses on the process of measuring Percent of Plan Completed (PPC) at the weekly Work Plan stage. PPC means the percentage of weekly assignments completed. According to the results of the researches that deal with PPC from many other countries, we can assure the benefits or using PPC. However the concept of PPC is unfamiliar in Korea construction industry. This paper analyzes the cases in which PPC is applied in other countries and compares them with the production control system in Korean construction industry. The results of this research will provide the time management system for using PPC in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.7 no.4 s.32
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• pp.146-153
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• 2006

The Last Planner(LP), of which the goal is to improve work-flow reliability, has recently been introduced in Korea. It is found that some contractors have made efforts on applying the Last Planner to their projects. However, they face difficulties for a variety of reasons. This paper presents the case study results on Korean heavy civil projects, along with descriptions of the ways that the Last Planner was applied, and how the work flow reliability was improved. It also discusses the prerequisites and barriers to implementation of the Last Planner in applying heavy civil construction projects in Korea. The results can be used as a reference for companies to improve their work flow reliability for future projects.