Reading about the topics Project Management and Administration, Project Time Management and Project Cost Management, the concept of Value Engineering kept entering my mind. Value Engineering is described in our textbook as "finding a better way to accomplish a construction project at less cost." I have also read that "Value Engineering (VE) is an effective technique for reducing costs, increasing productivity, and improving quality." The point is, this is some important stuff. Especially in delivering a project in the most efficient manner with the ultimate goal of satisfying the client.
The Society of American Value Engineers (SAVE) says that the maximum value for the project can be derived as Value = Function/Cost where
"Value is the reliable performance of functions to meet customer needs at the lowest overall cost.
Function is the natural or characteristic action performed by a product or service.
Cost is the expenditure necessary to produce a proejct, service, process, or structure.
The systematic and structural approach comes from the VM job plan. SAVE International®’s standard job plan consists of six phases:
1. Information Phase: Gather information to better understand the project.
2. Function Analysis Phase: Analyze the project to understand and clarify the required functions.
3. Creative Phase: Generate ideas on all the possible ways to accomplish the required functions.
4 .Evaluation Phase: Synethesize ideas and concepts to select feasible ideas for development into specific value improvement.
5. Development Phase: Select and prepare the “best” alternative(s) for improving value.
6. Presentation Phase: Present the value recommendation to the project stakeholders."
It is hard not to recognize the importance of Value Engineering. I have linked to this excerpt from the Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice on Value Analysis. It has some really great graphics depicting the concept.
I know I jumped back a few chapters there, but sometimes the thoughts just flow. So moving on....
Doing the additional research on the topics Project Management and Administration, Project Time Management and Project Cost Management I found a website for an European firm with offices in Ireland and in the United Kingdom called Penlon Projects. The site has two list that nicely breakdown the elements important to Project Management - I've included them below:
"Our construction Project Managers have experience in:
"Our specialists have backgrounds in:
Task #2 - Modular Residential Construction
I have always liked the idea of modular construction - it just makes sense. I like the quality control that goes along with the factory components. The same crew does the same tasks everyday. I imagine they get very good at what they're doing. Whereas, out in the field the worker that is available gets the job in many cases. I also appreciate that materials are better protected from the elements during construction with the modular method. With much of the work done indoors, rain, insects, etc. are not a factor.
There are deep preconceptions that come with the word "prefabrication." I find myself having to convince people that prefab isn't all bad. Often I think the first image that pops into some peoples' minds is a trailer park. The next image is of a tornado whipping through picking up the homes and sprinkling people out like salt and pepper shakers. Here are some images of what pops into my mind when I think of modular homes.
Another plus to modular construction - it can often be done in sustainable ways, promoting green living. This article in from My San Antonio is about the project pictured above by Lake, Flato Architects.
I found out more about the green qualities of modular housing when I read Green, a Blog About Energy and the Environment on The New York Times website. It points out the following ways modular construction is considered "eco-friendly - from reduced waste to a smaller construction footprint."
I know I jumped back a few chapters there, but sometimes the thoughts just flow. So moving on....
Doing the additional research on the topics Project Management and Administration, Project Time Management and Project Cost Management I found a website for an European firm with offices in Ireland and in the United Kingdom called Penlon Projects. The site has two list that nicely breakdown the elements important to Project Management - I've included them below:
"Our construction Project Managers have experience in:
- Operational, financial and management accountabilty
- Management of projects, including feasibility studies, programmes, drawings, tendering and appointment.
- Technical advice and support
- Space planning
- Claims Managment & costings
- Detailed construction & conception designs
- Engineering calculations
- Design evaluations
- Electrical site management
- Procurement & logistics managment
- Quality Managment
- Programming"
"Our specialists have backgrounds in:
- Project Management
- Construction Managment
- Environmental, Health & Safety Management
- Chemical Engineering
- Logistical Management
- Facilities Management
- Training
- Electrical Deisgn
- Mechanical Design
- Building Services
- Quality Management
- Technical Support
- Procurement
- Business Development
- Instrumentation"
Task #2 - Modular Residential Construction
I have always liked the idea of modular construction - it just makes sense. I like the quality control that goes along with the factory components. The same crew does the same tasks everyday. I imagine they get very good at what they're doing. Whereas, out in the field the worker that is available gets the job in many cases. I also appreciate that materials are better protected from the elements during construction with the modular method. With much of the work done indoors, rain, insects, etc. are not a factor.
There are deep preconceptions that come with the word "prefabrication." I find myself having to convince people that prefab isn't all bad. Often I think the first image that pops into some peoples' minds is a trailer park. The next image is of a tornado whipping through picking up the homes and sprinkling people out like salt and pepper shakers. Here are some images of what pops into my mind when I think of modular homes.
Another plus to modular construction - it can often be done in sustainable ways, promoting green living. This article in from My San Antonio is about the project pictured above by Lake, Flato Architects.
I found out more about the green qualities of modular housing when I read Green, a Blog About Energy and the Environment on The New York Times website. It points out the following ways modular construction is considered "eco-friendly - from reduced waste to a smaller construction footprint."
- recycling is huge in a modular plant
- "To withstand the stresses of long-distance shipping, for example, modular homes are typically built with thicker walls and floors and are held together tightly with screws and glue — instead of just nails. A side effect of this, industry representatives note: Higher energy efficiency due to the extra insulation and tighter, less draft-prone seams"
- The industry is experiencing shifts towards providing more sustainable living. For example,
- luxury market amenities like built-in rainwater harvesting, grey water reuse, tankless water heaters and bamboo flooring all cater to the environmentally minded consumer and help reduce their carbon footprint.
- "moving away from the not-so-eco-friendly materials — toxic paints, PVCs and so forth — that have been used in the past"
- "using lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, a sustainable forestry watchdog group."
Unfortunately, green living is expensive! The good news is that modular construction compliments green living practices not only through sustainable construction practices but also by allowing prices to be kept at a minimum through bulk purchasing - ironically, that big-box thinking those with a green lifestyle avoid, but I digress.
Final thoughts: Modular house? Let's do this!
Final thoughts: Modular house? Let's do this!
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