Design thinking Reflection – Visualization

Challenge & Selection

I am a business Administration student. I use visualization for studying the concept clearly and easily. In this, more personal context I am, as part of a team, developing a business project about Construction of a 30 flat apartment The 4D model developed at Edinburgh Napier university was demonstrated to six major AEC companies in UK and these demonstrations generated high interest among the contractors and appealed to the planners the most. Due to the lack of appreciation by the senior managers, many companies did not take up the project. The challenges, as highlighted in the discussion, are: − Adversarial relationships in the procurement and execution processes. In 4D model use, client could be involved from the start and collaborative approach is seen as essential. 799 − ICT Skills Shortage –There are 3D skill shortages in the construction industry. Hence, traditional way of developing 2D drawings is continued by the industry. − Time available to tender- The time between the release of tender documents to submission is relatively short and construction companies do not have sufficient time to develop 4D models since the process can take a few weeks. − Fear of transparency of information – There is a key concern among construction companies that the client could use the information provided against the construction company since delays and errors would be visible to the client. The other kind of fear is the use of explicit information about the technical aspects of the operations which companies may not wish to share with others to protect their opportunities for obtaining future contracts. − Fragmented industry- The industry is fragmented with many small subcontractors. In the UK 80% of the subcontractors have less than 20 personnel. − Resistance to change- There is a reluctance to change working styles with a belief that the traditional approach still satisfies the job requirement.

Application

The project involved the use of technology developed for the car and aerospace industries including the cultural concepts of single minute exchange of dies developed originally by Shigeo Shingo (1995) for the Toyotacar plant. The single minute changeover concept was enhanced in this application to four seconds. Elimination of Non Value Adding Waste (NWAW) as outlined by Mather (1988) was embodied as a main lean feature in the design concepts used to develop the final specification detail for the contract. Vision enabled robots are used in the aerospace industry for the precision fitting of components by robots. Car and Aerospace industry concepts were embodied operational techniques to be employed in the design of the project but not in the execution of the project where traditional project management tools including MS Project and an Excel based cost 795 control system were used by the project manager. The client produced a detailed specification for the equipment installation and the building and the project was organized as shown in the organization chart.

Insight & Approach

The adoption of visual planning tools for project management is very slow despite the fact that such techniques facilitate planners and stakeholders to visualise the project execution process and identify problems that may occur before construction takes place. Advancements in 4D CAD and virtual reality are capable of handling complex models and can change the culture of the construction industry. Initiatives are required to encourage the use of visualisation techniques are seen as essential and researchers, developers and industry must work together to deliver affordable solutions for the construction industry and lessons must be learned from the benefits gained by automotive and aerospace industry.


Design thinking Reflection – Visualization Challenge & Selection I am a business Administration student . I use visualization for studying the concept clearly and easily . In this , more personal context I am , as part of a team , developing a business project about Construction of a 30 flat apartment The 4D model developed at Edinburgh Napier university was demonstrated to six major AEC companies in UK and these demonstrations generated high interest among the contractors and appealed to the planners the most . Due to the lack of appreciation by the senior managers , many companies did not take up the project . The challenges , as highlighted in the discussion , are : − Adversarial relationships in the procurement and execution processes . In 4D model use , client could be involved from the start and collaborative approach is seen as essential . 799 − ICT Skills Shortage – There are 3D skill shortages in the construction industry . Hence , traditional way of developing 2D drawings is continued by the industry . − Time available to tender- The time between the release of tender documents to submission is relatively short and construction companies do not have sufficient time to develop 4D models since the process can take a few weeks . − Fear of transparency of information – There is a key concern among construction companies that the client could use the information provided against the construction company since delays and errors would be visible to the client . The other kind of fear is the use of explicit information about the technical aspects of the operations which companies may not wish to share with others to protect their opportunities for obtaining future contracts . − Fragmented industry- The industry is fragmented with many small subcontractors . In the UK 80 % of the subcontractors have less than 20 personnel . − Resistance to change- There is a reluctance to change working styles with a belief that the traditional approach still satisfies the job requirement . Application The project involved the use of technology developed for the car and aerospace industries including the cultural concepts of single minute exchange of dies developed originally by Shigeo Shingo ( 1995 ) for the Toyotacar plant . The single minute changeover concept was enhanced in this application to four seconds . Elimination of Non Value Adding Waste ( NWAW ) as outlined by Mather ( 1988 ) was embodied as a main lean feature in the design concepts used to develop the final specification detail for the contract . Vision enabled robots are used in the aerospace industry for the precision fitting of components by robots . Car and Aerospace industry concepts were embodied operational techniques to be employed in the design of the project but not in the execution of the project where traditional project management tools including MS Project and an Excel based cost 795 control system were used by the project manager . The client produced a detailed specification for the equipment installation and the building and the project was organized as shown in the organization chart . Insight & Approach The adoption of visual planning tools for project management is very slow despite the fact that such techniques facilitate planners and stakeholders to visualise the project execution process and identify problems that may occur before construction takes place . Advancements in 4D CAD and virtual reality are capable of handling complex models and can change the culture of the construction industry . Initiatives are required to encourage the use of visualisation techniques are seen as essential and researchers , developers and industry must work together to deliver affordable solutions for the construction industry and lessons must be learned from the benefits gained by automotive and aerospace industry .