Textbooks:
Oglesby, C., parker, H., and Howell, G. Productivity Improvement in
Construction. New York: McGraw Hill, 1989.
Course
Description:
In this course, we approach construction productivity as a "system." In
so doing, we will identify the elements of this system and attempt to
measure those quantifiable. This course will also cover the human
factors in construction with a special emphasis on workers' motivation.
Teaching
Philosophy: A basic assumption (and hope) in my teaching philosophy is
that as graduate students, the students in this class are matured
learners. Consequently students are expected to engage in multi-source
and semi independent learning. Stated differently, the learning process
will require the utilization of the textbook (in a selective manner),
handouts, journal articles, discussions, and lectures; and that the
learning of straight forward concepts and related general information
will be done by the students on their own.
Course Objectives
:
Students
enrolled in this course are expected to achieve three main
objectives :
1. A clear
understanding of the issues and concepts presented throughout this
course. Attainment of this objective will be measured by three exams.
2.
Improving student's communication skills. To achieve this objective,
each student is required to:
a.
Participate fully in class discussions.
b. Present
orally a professional journal article to the class (see handout)
3. Apply
the learned theoretical concepts in a real construction setting. To
achieve this objective, students are required to conduct a productivity
study on a real construction project and submit their findings in
written reports. This will be done as group projects (two students per
project)
Performance Evaluation
:
The
student's performance in this course will be evaluated as follows:
1
.Class discussion and article presentation
10 %
2. Group
project: presentation and report
30 %
3. Two
midterm exams ( '5% each) 30 %
4. Final
exam 30 %
SYLLABUS
|
Meeting# |
Topic |
Reading |
|
1 |
Introduction to the Seminar |
-- |
|
2 |
Productivity-related characteristics
of
the construction industry |
Chapters 2 |
|
3 |
A System view of construction Productivity handouts
|
Handouts 1,2
Chap 4 (skim) |
|
4 |
Techniques for measuring productivity: * Cost
methods |
Chap 6 (pp 134-136) |
|
5, 6, 7 |
* Work sampling and related techniques |
Chap 7(pp 146-185) |
|
8 |
* Foreman delay survey |
Chap 7 (pp 146-185) |
|
9 |
* Questionnaires / interviews |
Chap 7(pp 146-185) |
|
10 |
EXAM 1 |
|
|
11 |
Improving Construction methods: |
Chap 6 (pp 130-136) |
|
* An overview |
Chap 10 (pp 284-287) |
|
11, 12 |
* Recording techniques |
Chap 7 (pp 185-210) |
|
13, 14 |
* Method of analysis |
Chap 8,handout 3 |
|
15 |
* Quality circles |
Handout 4 |
|
16, 17 |
* Safety considerations |
Handout 5,Chap 12 |
|
18 |
Assignments of group projects:
Construction productivity : Additional considerations methods |
Handout 6 |
|
18, 19 |
* Learning curves |
Chap 6 (pp 136-145) |
|
20 |
* Fatigue |
Chap 9 (pp 240-262) |
|
20 |
*Overtime |
Chap 9(pp 254-260) |
|
21 |
* The physical environment |
Chap 9 (pp 262-271) |
|
22 |
EXAM 2 |
|
|
23, 24 |
Theories of motivation |
Chap 10 (pp 272-284) |
|
25 |
Motivation and construction productivity |
Handout 7 |
|
26 |
Productivity Improvement programs |
Chap3,chap 11 (skim) |
|
27, 28 |
Presentations
of
students' projects |
|
|
30 |
Course evaluation and review |
|