NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Strategic Construction Modeling and Delivery: Overview of Program Dr. Aminah Robinson Fayek October 16, 2013
• Overview of IRC Program • Industrial Research Chair Topics (IRC) 2012-2016 • Structure of IRC Program • Research Areas and Projects • Value of IRC to Industry • Questions and Discussion 2
Our Construction Program • 6 faculty members – 3 Industrial Research Chairs (IRC) • + 75 graduate students • + 250 graduates – leadership positions • + $1 million per year in dedicated funding • + 500 publications • 19 Annual Innovation in Construction Forums 3
A partnership between the University, NSERC, and Industry (Chairholder: Aminah Robinson Fayek) Our Partnership: University of Industry NSERC Alberta Industrial Natural Research Sciences and Engineering Chair (IRC) Research Council (NSERC) Funding • NSERC 50% (research) • Industry Partners 50% (research) 4 • University (overhead and salary)
Objectives of NSERC Industrial Research Chairs Advance state of the art in the field Industrially relevant research to solve problems Innovation to the Canadian construction industry 5
Highly Qualified Personnel Advanced Research & Technology Knowledge Transfer Products 6
History of IRC Program Focus: Deliver innovation to increase partners’ competitiveness and profitability & benefit construction industry as whole 7
Owners • Capital Power Corporation IRC in • Construction Owners Association of Alberta Strategic • Suncor Energy Construction • TransAlta Corporation Modeling & Contractors/Associations Delivery • Aecon Industrial Western • Merit Contractors Association Industry • Progressive Contractors Partners: Association of Canada 2012-2016 Labour Unions/Associations • Building Trades of Alberta • Christian Labour Association of Canada 8
Research Advisory Committees Guide research direction & focus Management Provide strategic support (Industry & University) Evaluate progress against objectives Oversee financial matters Each brings 20+ years construction management experience, international experience 9
Research Advisory Committees Scope & details of research projects Technical Access to organizations & (Industry & project sites University) Technical guidance to research assistants Research & technology transfer Each brings technical skills to assist with detailed research activities 10
Uncertainty in Unique Construction project conditions Lack of Lack of historical continuity in data Subjective personnel uncertainty in process or decision Expert Qualitative judgment & & quantitative linguistic data expression Ambiguous & incomplete data 11
Capturing Industry Expertise Modeling human & Construction subjective factors decision-making critical to decision dependent on experience support More people leaving than entering - capture expertise 12
Decision support systems based on expert knowledge (fuzzy logic) Simulation techniques with subjective information Industry best practices and tools Research Themes 13
Research Target Areas in Construction Program • Labour Productivity • Structuring Projects & Teams • Assessing Competencies & Reducing Risk 14
Labour Productivity Uncertainty: Labour = 1/3 “Connect the Skilled labour numerous to 1/2 project dots” between shortage: interacting costs: subjective factors need to factors & productivity in optimize determine productivity decline productivity 15
Structuring Projects & Teams Challenge Critical in Alberta: factors not transferring high cost Project “Identical” modeled: “lessons magnitudes projects: (19%) & human learned”: schedule & multiple different nature, skill (17%) parties outcomes experience sets, key growth & past personnel projects 16
Assessing Competencies & Reducing Risks Most Modeling More people bankruptcy human & Contractor & leaving than from subjective owner entering: need construction factors critical to capture competency (2007- 09) to decision expertise (16%) support 17
Sample Research Projects Structuring Labour Career paths projects and productivity of modeling tradespeople teams Contractor Owner versus Project risk pre- contractor qualification analysis roles tools 18
Value of IRC to Industry Increased investment: Collaborative construction research to & resource Greater transform development understanding whole industry Innovative of strategic approaches issues & & tools decisions Increased capture & Training transfer of industry leaders knowledge & Skilled HQP: technology productivity & performance 19
Thank you Dr. Aminah Robinson Fayek Questions NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Strategic Construction & Modeling and Delivery Discussion Ph: 780-492-1205 aminah.robinson@ualberta.ca www.strategic-construction.ualberta.ca 20
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