Issue 1

1. Anbang Qi:

Chinese Traditional Management Philosophy and Project Risk Management

Abstract:
Chinese take project risk management as the key of a project success. The main reason is the influence of the tradition philosophy and cultural of Chinese. There are many historical Chinese books deal with the law of changes for risk management. The most important book is named "Book of Changes" that influenced Chinese management philosophy and methodology more than 6000 years. There are two main cultural schools of Chinese originated from this book. All these make Chinese believe that project change and risk management are the most important thing in project management because all certain things have fixed results but all uncertain things have different results depended on people management..

Keywords: Chinese philosophy, Change management, Project risk management

2. Anita Ceric:

Trust in Construction Projects: Literature Analysis
Using Keywords

Abstract:
Communication risk is one of the most important varieties of risk that occur in construction projects, and trust is one of the most effective strategies to minimize it. For that reason, trust has been playing an increasingly important role in the construction management literature. Interest in communication
risk and trust spans psychology, sociology, and economics. These social sciences are most relevant for the understanding of different dimensions of trust investigated in the context of construction project management. In construction
projects, this applies to interpersonal, intra-firm, and inter-firm relationships between the project parties. This analysis of the construction management literature uses keywords containing trust and related concepts. Keywords have become important parts of academic papers, and they are crucial in the literature search. The present analysis of literature shows that a large proportion of research to date has been dedicated to the study of inter-firm trust in construction, most of which concerns long-term relationships, such as partnerships and alliances. However, this analysis demonstrates that there has been relatively little research dedicated to the study of interpersonal and intra-firm trust in construction. Future research needs to address these neglected areas.

Keywords: Trust, Interpersonal trust, Intra-firm trust, Inter-firm trust, Communication risk

3. Antonios Panas, John-Paris Pantouvakis:

Efficiency multipliers for construction productivity: A Comparative Evaluation

Abstract:
Efficiency multipliers for construction productivity are often estimated on an ad-hoc basis, depending on the project characteristics. The purpose of the study is to define a structured
approach allowing the determination of the appropriate empirical productivity relations and efficiency multipliers along with their respective values. The proposed method breaks down a given construction activity into distinct operational scenarios which represent unique combinations of key productivity variables, thus providing a perspective on construction productivity for both labor-intensive and equipment-intensive operations. In addition, this is the first study to explicitly describe the process and the theoretical prerequisites for the statistically valid derivation and comparative evaluation of new efficiency multipliers for a given construction activity. A case study of heavy-duty concrete paving activities over an eight month period is utilized as a testbed for the derivation of new efficiency multipliers. An excavation scenario with the use of published estimation formulae is also presented to demonstrate the approach’s capability to corroborate the values of known efficiency multipliers. The results indicate that the proposed
approach improves the accuracy of estimated multipliers stemming from past productivity studies and increases the estimation precision for the derivation of new multipliers related to future construction operations.

Keywords: Concrete pavements, Estimation, Excavation, Multipliers, Productivity.

4. Sonja Kolarić, Dragana Pavlović, Mladen Vukomanović:

Developing a methodology for preparation and Execution phase of construction project

Abstract:
At the beginning of 2014 European Commission adopted a resolution encouraging 28th member state to apply Building Information Modeling (BIM) in procuring construction projects. As a direct response, many governments of the most developed states within the EU, introduced a short-term goals to make all major projects designed with BIM till the end of 2016. BIM is the most advanced concept in building design modeling that combines professions such as architecture, civil engineering and others. It is widely used around the world; however, in Croatia and in Eastern Europe it is still not as popular as in the most developed countries of the world. In order to improve this described situation we developed a methodology that proved to be applicable in technology and construction management. The same methodology has been validated through the usage in education of the Civil Engineering students. The methodology includes the following steps and software: creating 3D model and quantity list using Autodesk Revit or Nemetschek Allplan software, making cost estimations and time plan using Gala software and finally 5D simulation that includes cost breakdown using Navisworks software. Through the work we had proved that with applying BIM methodology in construction projects, the participants in the preparation and execution phase can achieve higher productivity and quality of work, collaborate with other participants through interactive work, identify problems in the early phases and achieve higher profits. Furthermore, it has been proved that with the application of BIM methodologies, construction engineers better understand the process of preparing, monitoring and controlling of construction. Although this methodology is validated the future studies should include other BIM tools and investigate their compatibility, involve other resources in the construction simulation and expand BIM education other related technical colleges.

Keywords: Bim; Planning; Execution; Project Management; 5D; Education; Model

5.Aje, Isaac Olaniyi; Adedokun, Olufisayo Adewumi; Ibironke, Olajide Timothy:

Analysis of Projects undertaken by Quantity Surveyors in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract:
Increasing cost of construction works coupled with insistent collapse of buildings stimulated the investigation of the skills required of the Quantity Surveyors cum their competencies. Due diligence study on the nature of construction projects undertaken were carried out and fifty-eight (58) senior/ associate partners, working in quantity surveying (Qs) firms completed the questionnaires out of Seventy four (74) quantity surveying consultancy firms. Percentile and mean were used for the analysis of data. The study revealed that majority of quantity surveying firms, despite their long years of existence with highly experienced staff members; limit their area of operations to building works, be it low or high rise, thereby leaving out substantial part of their work in both civil and industrial engineering works to be undertaking by others. The study concludes that the management of quantity surveying firms should also delve into civil and industrial engineering works more than before in order to ensure cost effectiveness of these projects.

Keywords: Competencies, Construction, Cost, Projects, Professional, Skills, Quantity Surveyors

6. Augustin Purnus, Constanta-Nicoleta Bodea:

Financial Management of the Construction Projects: A Proposed Cash Flow Analysis Model at Project Portfolio Level

Abstract:
Construction sector is vulnerable to economic changes, especially during recession periods due to the high capital outlays, cost flexibility and high competition limiting the price. The changes of the business environment, often associated with shortage of funds, exchange rate fluctuation and political instability are increasing the construction projects financial risks. The actual economical context in the Central and East European countries is characterized by an aggressive competition and a lack of investments in construction area. The common behaviour of the contractor construction companies during these days is to accept a large number of risks beyond their power to mitigate them only to still stay on the business. In order to win the tender, they are bidding lower prices which make them vulnerable to the unexpected events during the project, especially from financial aspects. But the lack of cash during the project progress both at the employer level but mostly at the contractor level leads to delays, penalties and loss of opportunities which are reflected in the health of projects and organizations. The paper proposes a practical cash flow analysis model, which can be applied by the construction companies mainly when decisions about portfolio structure are taken. Applying this proposed model, the construction companies could avoid high financial exposures and loses.

Keywords: Financial Management, Construction Projects, Portfolio, Cash Flow

7. Santiago Díez Torrijos, Antonio Ramón Albert, Benjamín Benlloch Miralles, Ricardo Ayala López, José Agustín Lillo Arnalte, Luis Tena Gil:

Parameterization of the Construction Promoter's Responsibilities throughout the project's life cycle

Abstract:
Europe, and especially Spain has been suffering an ongoing economic, social and political crisis. The construction industry sector has been one of the most affected. Project Management professionals in the construction industry are obliged to make a critical analysis of their results and methodology applications used in recent years. In this paper a methodology has been developed for parameterization and monitoring of projects, portfolios and programs from both the public or private Construction Promoter's point of view -the real engine of the project-. This methodology analyses their responsibilities and those of the stakeholders throughout the project's lifecycle, and allows the Promoter to make decisions based on accurate, realistic and factual knowledge. The project's full data is completely accessible by the Promoter. Thus the Promoter is able to develop a Project Portfolio Management and Business Intelligence. The Next step in the methodology evolution is transferring it to an ICT tool, for a promoter's systematic application. Project management will assist in providing a social improvement, this method is associated with current social demands at all levels and sectors -Transparency- thus allowing real-time monitoring of the building project's status throughout all stages of the project's life cycle.

Keywords: Transparency, Project Portfolio Management, Construction Promoter, Parameterization, Decision Making Process, Real-time, Business Intelligence