Browsing by Author "Vilasini, N"

Now showing 1 - 12 of 12

item: Article-Abstract
A framework for subcontractor integration in alliance contracts
Vilasini, N; Neitzert, TR; Rotimi, JOB; Windapo, AO
Project alliancing involves the active collaboration of construction project owners and non owner participants (designer, contractors, and suppliers) to deliver projects in an atmosphere of shared responsibilities and liabilities. Alliancingcon notes integration but in real practice, it fails to create a true alliance environment since only part of the value chain (owner, designer, main contractor) is considered for integration. Consequently subcontractors are very often left out of the key alliance. Therefore this study identifies improvement areas to current alliance practice and suggests changes that will permit critical sub-contracting processes to be integrated into a project’s main alliance. To achieve this objective the research follows a comparative study approach. Information obtained from relevant literature is used to identify current subcontractor management practices and best practices for subcontractor integration in alliances. A case study of an alliance project is used to identify improvement areas in subcontractor management practices in an alliance environment. From these findings, the study proposes a revised alliance framework that integrates subcontractors from the early stages in alliance contracts, thus enabling the realisation of benefits accruable to projects through early contractor involvement.
item: Conference-Full-text
Appropriateness of lean production system for the construction industry
(2012-06) Vilasini, N; Neitzert, TR; Jayatilaka, PR; Senaratne, S; Sandanayake, YG
The manufacturing industry has been a constant reference point and a source of innovation for construction over many decades. The lean concept is one of such strategies adopted by the construction industry from the manufacturing industry to improve performance. In order to take benefit of lean techniques developed in the manufacturing industries, it is important to identify which categories of manufacturing systems are best applicable to construction. Many research studies have identified construction as a lean resistant industry because it differs from manufacturing due to site production, temporary multi-organisation and one-of-a-kind nature projects. The main objective of this study is to find different characteristics of construction processes and how lean techniques can be adopted to them. The method used for this study is a practice oriented research approach where it compares the characteristics of two construction processes with manufacturing process characteristics. In the attempt of visualising the existing process, value stream mapping techniques were used. It is identified that the construction process is a combination of fabrication and assembly processes with different characteristics such as layout, material flow, information flow, and work element. It can be concluded that certain construction techniques like pre-fabrication soften the construction peculiarities.
item: Conference-Abstract
Appropriateness of production systems for the construction industry
Vilasini, N; Neitzert, TR
The manufacturing industry has been a constant reference point and a source of innovation for construction over many decades. The lean concept is one of such strategies adopted by the construction from the manufacturing to improve performance. In order to take the benefits of lean techniques developed in the manufacturing industries, it is important to identify which categories of manufacturing systems are best applicable to construction. Many research studies have identified construction as a lean resistant industry because it differs from manufacturing due to site production, temporary multi-organization and one-of- a- kind nature projects. The main objective of this study is to find different characteristics of construction processes and how lean techniques can be adopted to them. The method used for this study is a practice oriented research approach where it compares the characteristics of two construction processes with manufacturing process characteristics. In the attempt of visualizing the existing process, different mapping techniques were used and it can be concluded that certain construction techniques like pre-fabrication soften the construction peculiarities. Furthermore, the construction process can be identified as a combination of fabrication and assembly processes with different characteristics such as layout, material flow, information flow, and work element.
item: Conference-Abstract
Comfort study of work environment of apparel industry
Kosala, WVR; Vilasini, N; Gamage, JR
Diminution of workers' efficiency and increase of health and safety hazards are among the topmost problems faced by present manufacturing industry. Therefore manufacturing industries are continuously exploring new avenues to improve factors that affect workers' efficiency, health and safety while improving the overall productivity. The main objective of the research was to address such problems by introducing ergonomically sound work environment and practices through action based case study. This paper elaborates how thermal comfort, design of work places and practices influence the overall productivity of an apparel manufacturing factory in Sri Lanka. Data related to design of work environment and human comfort was gathered by means of a questionnaire survey and on-site experimental observations. Then the data were analysed by comparing them with the industry standards and theories of ergonomics. Based on the resulting conclusions an action plan was developed and recommended solutions for the identified issues.
item: Article-Abstract
Correlation between construction procurement methods and lean principles
Vilasini, N; Neitzert, TR; Rotimi, JO
Different procurement methods have been developed and applied in the construction industry to improve performance. At the same time novel management concepts have been adopted for similar prospects of performance improvement based on new production methodologies. The lean principle is one such methodology being applied in the construction industry, which this paper believes, with the right combination of its objectives, principles and techniques could form the basis for a new project delivery system. The paper has as its objective the identification of an appropriate procurement method that accommodates lean principles. It reviews related literature on lean principles and its application in the construction industry as well as construction procurement methods and their individual characteristics. The study finds that partnership arrangements have a higher correlation with lean principles compared to other procurement methods because of the emphasis it places on collaboration and teamwork through construction partnerships.
item: Conference-Abstract
Generating value in alliance contracts through productivity improvements
Vilasini, N; Neitzert, TR; Tookey, J
Alliance contracting is a procurement approach which involves the collaboration of a project owner and non‐owner participants to share the responsibility for project risks and for achieving project objectives. There is evidence to suggest that in spite of significant benefits in this procurement system, there exist challenges that need to be overcome, particularly in relation to process improvements. The study will approach the problem from a ‘lean construction’ perspective. The objective of this research is therefore to investigate the potential for the application of lean production philosophies in alliance contracts in order to minimise waste. This study focuses on alliance projects which are comparatively large and complex in nature. It involves focusing on contextual and complex multivariate conditions which would necessitate the reliance on multiple sources of evidence. As such, it is envisaged that this study would benefit by undertaking the case study methodology to advance knowledge. The benefits are not difficult to understand because of the potential to reduce direct and overhead costs through reduction in time thereby increasing value through higher productivity. The study will provide the understanding of why productivity growth is hindered and how growth can be facilitated in an alliance contracts.
item: Article-Full-text
Implementing value stream mapping tool in the construction industry
Vilasini, N; Gamage, JR
The purpose of this is paper is to understand the applicability and adoption of the value stream mapping technique in the construction industry. The applicability of the adopted value stream mapping methodology was tested in a pre cast concrete yard which supplies pre cast concrete yard which Supplied pre cast concrete segments to a bridge construction site. A process mapping tool has been used for value stream mapping since it contains high correlation to the existing wastes at the sites. A detailed value stream mapping procedure was developed and validated within this case study. The effectiveness of the value stream mapping methodology was also evaluated at the same site as it was producing approximately five hundred units continuously. The research findings will contribute to a better understanding of the applicability and potential benefits of value stream mapping tool in terms of cycle time reductions and quality improvements.
item: Conference-Abstract
Implementing value stream mapping tool in the construction industry
Vilasini, N; Gamage, JR
The purpose of this is paper is to understand the applicability and adoption of the value stream mapping technique in the construction industry. The applicability of the adopted value stream mapping methodology was tested in a pre cast concrete yard which supplies pre cast concrete segments to a bridge construction site. A process mapping tool has been used for value stream mapping since it contains high correlation to the existing wastes at the sites. A detailed value stream mapping procedure was developed and validated within this case study. The effectiveness of the value stream mapping methodology was also evaluated at the same site as it was producing approximately five hundred units continuously. The research findings will contribute to a better understanding of the applicability and potential benefits of value stream mapping tool in terms of cycle time reductions and quality improvements.
item: Conference-Abstract
Lean methodology to reduce waste in a construction environment
Vilasini, N; Neitzert, TR; Gamage, JR
Productivity and waste factors are interdependent of each other. Waste is a major problem in the construction industry which amounts to 60% of the construction effort. A study focused on the construction efficiency by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the UK has documented 25% - 50 % of waste relates to coordinating labour and managing, moving, and installing materials. Therefore the main aim of this study is to find out the possibilities of waste reduction in the construction industry through lean construction applications. The method adopted for this study is a case study research approach where it concludes the results obtained from a major construction project in New Zealand. A pilot case study was carried out to understand the existing practices. The research study substantially followed the process mapping method to identify the level of concern in waste minimisation on a construction site. Outcomes from the studies indicate that one third of non value adding activities are resulting from factors under the control of management. This study concludes that there are more opportunities to eliminate waste and add value to the construction process. Hence by improving management practices through a lean implementation the non value adding time of a construction project can be reduced and thereby productivity can be improved significantly.
item: Conference-Abstract
Reorganization of sub-contractor management practices in alliance contracts
Vilasini, N; Neitzert, T; Rotimi, J
Project alliancing involves the collaboration of owners and non-owner participants (designer, contractors, and suppliers) to deliver projects, with all participants sharing the responsibility for project risks in achieving project objectives. But in real practice, it fails to create a true alliance environment since only part of the value chain (owner, designer, main contractor) is considered for integration. Consequently, sub-contractors are not within the alliance and alliance members are not interested in improvements in sub-contractors’ processes. Therefore this research identifies and recommends changes in the alliance process so that critical sub-contracting processes can be integrated into the main alliance project. To achieve this objective the research follows a comparative study approach. Information obtained from the review of literature is used to identify current subcontractor management practices and best practices for sub-contractor integration in alliances. Case study of an alliance project was used to identify certain failure factors in sub-contractor management practices in an alliance environment. From these findings, the study proposes a framework to improve sub-contractor management practices in alliance by using lean supply principles. It is concluded that sub-contractor management practices in real alliance lies between traditional supply and lean supply systems and integration of sub-contractor to the alliance will change the win-loss behaviour.
item: Conference-Abstract
Resource utilisation and availability analysis as a productivity improvement tool: A case study of a food manufacturing company
Vilasini, N; Kahangamage, UP; Gamage, JR
The purpose of this paper is to elaborate how resource utilisation concept influences to the overall productivity of a manufacturing organisation. Effective resource utilisation increases profitability by optimising utilisation and minimising bench time and generates goodwill and loyalty among staff that translates to competitive advantages in recruiting and retaining the best talent in the future. A manufacturing company uses resources of various kinds such as manufacturing resources (machines, material handlers, tools, Energy etc.), storage resources (warehouses, automated storage and retrieval systems), logistics resources (trucks, rail transport, air-cargo carriers, etc.), human resources (labour, scientific and technical personnel) and financial (working capital, stocks, etc.). The objective is to utilise these assets or resources efficiently so that the overall productivity of the organisation can be maximised. Resource utilisation is the percentage of time that a resource component is actually occupied, as compared to the total time that the resource component is available for use. In order to apply the resource utilisation concept, generic losses adhered to the various work centres were identified and categorised according to the above mentioned resource categories. This generic loss structure was then applied to selected work centres of a food manufacturing plant. The generic loss structure for work centre was categorised in to two major categories, equipment losses and man power losses. Several Industrial Engineering tools were used to identify prevailing losses and to quantify them. The results show that when resource utilisation concept is applied according to the generic model, the productivity of the work centres has been improved. The resultant productivity improvement has been estimated and presented.
item: Conference-Abstract
The impact of work design concept on manufacturing performance: A process sector case study
Vilasini, N; Kahangamage, UP and Gamage, JR and Kosala, WVR
New strategic initiatives have gained importance in recent past due to its ability to improve process performance and reduce cycle time. Therefore, manufacturing companies are constantly exploring ways to adopt such strategic initiatives. However, ineffective use of scientific management approaches often leads to conflicts between management and workers. This has been a critical obstacle of enhancing productivity of well established large companies where there is a presence of strong labour unions. The purpose of this study is to elaborate on how work design concept act as a scientific foundation for such situations in implementing strategic initiatives. This study has been carried out in collaboration with a leading soft drink manufacturing company in Sri Lanka. To apply the work design concept, a generic model of work design is defined and applied to the selected work centres of the company. The results show a significant improvement in the productivity of the work centres