Hi Charlie,
I’ll be glad to discuss with you all necessary details. My E-mail: spider@mail.cnt.ru. We use these approaches in a lot of construction projects right now. I mentioned some simplification that is used on the seller side - to define the cost of the day instead of calculating NPV. But the core thing - management by trends.
Regards,
Vladimir

Oh sorry

But then, why do cry for spill milk, the only way is to move on and kick ass so that the risk of not achieving milestone, overall completion dates will be achieve.


It should be like this:

But then, why do cry for spill milk, the only way is to move on and kick ass so that the risk of not achieving milestone, overall completion dates will be not be realize, hence the achievement of milestone dates and overall completion dates.

Your example was about time and that is why I discussed time. Of course identifying risks you shall develop some responses that make risk impacts lower. But what about the weather? In any case you will come to some range of potential results.
Risk simulation helps to calculate what reserves (buffers) shall be created for costs, for time, for materials. etc.
And the schedule that we suggest to use on site does not include these buffers.
Please look at the presentation that explains the approach. We used it in many construction projects and it works fine.

and going back to the simple example of structural column,

what if solutions are found to eliminate the risk that the column will be delay in 5 days. How about the succeeding activities, say, roofing, and finishing works???

So there is a need to create project scenarios. Optimistic - all 20 columns will installed without delays, most probable is as usual - let’s say weather conditions or other reasons usually lead to 3 days delay. Pessimistic - the delay will be 8 days due to the additional problems with energy supply and equipment.
The same shall be done with other activities.
Then you shall think about potential risk events that may delay the construction and add them into most probable and pessimistic scenarios depending on probabilities. Having 3 scenarios you will be able to estimate the range of potential results and to estimate the probability to meet any target.
The forecasts will be much more reasonable.

I agree that planners do need to consider risk management in the overall planning process.

For example, the critical path may fall in the installation of structural columns, say 20 columns at 1 column per day, total durationis 20 cal. days.

The risk scenario may involved what if the installation of the first column will be delayed by five days, so the risk that the the project overall delay will be five days.

Then we asked the question: Is ther a way to accelerate the installation of column. Upon evaluation of site access and availability of space, it is not possible to install 2 or 3 columns in one day. So the risk that the overall project completion will be delay is real in the event that the first column installation will be delayed by 5 days.

Hmm, what do you think??

Charlie

Hi Charleston

I seem to recall these comments of yours in another thread "Why Projects Fail".

Best regards

Mike Testro

Hi Smitha,

Here’s a few reasons that lead to project failure in Construction Project Management:

- poor communication between engineering and construction
- weak management
- no project control

You can read the whole thing in this article Key Factors for Successful Construction Project Management, by Chris Hendrickson.

Hi Omar

I bet you feel better after that mind cleansing rant.

Why does it happen time after time?

It comes back to the dictum set up by George Bernard Shaw in - I think it was in his play - Man and Superman.

"Those who can do. Those who cannot teach."

I have added a litlle tongue in cheek addendum.

Those that cannot teach become consultants.

Best regards

Mike Testro

Anoon

looks similar to a financial crisis... too much speculation yet later realizing it’s unsustainable...

Its all about "ATTITUDE" .Never loose hope .

There r different factors which makes construction industry so unorganised. So, if u r viewing it from Indian construction industry context, then there r different challenges as compared with Gulf region or UK or Australia.

Firstly, Indian companies r not getting enough manpower to execute the projects. Either most of the engineers turn their jobs to IT or finance sector OR else fly abroad to developed countries (Like me) in search of better personal growth and for monetary terms.

New mega projects like Golden Quadrilateral / Metro’s and ports and growing demand in building sector, and fast pace requirements of customer , has led to infusion of new materials, equipment and technologies to India. V r almost using same technology what is being used outside India. Consider example of Metro projects; Equipments and technology used in Indian projects and timeframe set for construction is as good as any other International project (either in Dubai or in UK). Even though manufacturing of new materials is going on at a more aggressive pace, the manufacturing of new equipment is constrained by large capital investments and the uncertain markets.

Even though government has given huge subsidies on equipment imports while construction of Golden Quadrilaterla project; on the picture of development of technically capable human resource, it is abysmally low. Apart from NICMAR and IIT (Delhi), there r no other good institutes, who have adequately invested into making technical human resources capable of addressing professional services needs of Indian Construction Idnustry like Litigation, contracting, insurance, equipment management, banking, finance and taxation.

Also, same case stands out for technology upgradation as well. Thats the time, when Sr. staff struggle during technology tranfer.

So, My advise wud be to add TECHNICAL MANPOWER as one of your topic other than low skilled manpower, literacy rate and psycological factors.

I have a gud article from Mr. Naik (L&T chief) stating the requirement of Civil Engineers in the Indian Construction Industry. Do send me ur mail id @ raviraj.bhedase@nakheel.com, i wil fwd it 2 u.

Cheers,

Rav

Hello Smitha,
Reasons
Ego- irrespective of type of construction, i Believe it is one of the biggest reasons , unless the project manager can keep his flock together the project may go for a mess.
procurement failure - failure of proper planning and specially for procurement of construction materials in remote locations maybe one of the reason.
Not properly acclimatized with the construction area- This might be another reason a contractor who is based in europe and works in thailand may lose the project
(in terms of time and cost)

will come back with some more reasons.
regards
deb

Theres a lot

If u hav to write thesis, it can be thicker than Bible or Ramayan. If u can be little more specific, may be area specific or sector specific, somebody might help u, like

challenges in buildings OR BRIDGES, OR AIRPORTS OR PORTS OR PIPELINES OR industrial structures OR Chimney etc.

Cheers,

Ravi