Traditional and Modern Production Management in Construction (Coursework Sample)

Production Management
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Abstract
Designers and contractors are currently moving away from the traditional onsite construction method to the modern off-site method of construction. Clients and designers still face the challenge of deciding on traditional or modern methods of construction. The traditional methods of production are more efficient but the modern methods are more effective in quality control and resource management. This essay compares traditional and modern methods of productions and the challenges faced in the attempts to address the unique methods that address issues in the modern construction industry. It recognizes the relevance of the modern production methods on modern construction industry.
Key words: Traditional methods, Modern methods, unique products
Introduction
Traditional Method
Over the past years, there have been changes in the technology and economic needs in the society (Childe, 2007). These changes have greatly affected the construction methods, designs, and developments in the construction industry. The continued change in the economic, social, and technological needs and requirements has led to the emergence of new construction materials and buildings. The traditional production method was where locally produced materials were used in the construction (Starr, 2012). This was part of the informal sector of the building industry, where non-professional builders were involved in the works. It was major characterized by the wide use of locally available materials, the adaptation to the local environmental conditions (Mitchell, 2009). The production methods were designed to utilize the locally available materials (Anil and Suresh, 2006). The aim was to produce products that will give adequate standards of performance. Mass production method was the most commonly applied technique since there was no need to come up with unique products. Traditional methods had no quality control system set up as a result constructions were carried out without any formal methods of quality control (Augustin, GùNdling and Ohanian, 2015). Production management in this case was affected by bureaucratic systems or less developed management policies. These activities were majorly carried out in-situ. It was until the end of the Second World War that the need to consider the methods that would provide suitable materials and labor in the construction of new buildings (Mertins, Kraus and Schallock, 2009). There have been changes in architecture and design that involved modifications to the layout of structures and increasing spans for both roofs and floors. Most factories produced the required materials using the mass production method and become the major suppliers of the materials to the customers (Mitchell, 2009).
Discussion
Over the past few years, production managers have been struggling to choose the production methods to employ in the companies (Mitchell, 2009). In fact, integration of the production methods available, technological change and the production models to address the need of uniqueness in construction has been a major challenge to production managers. Several production methods and models try to address how uniqueness can be achieved in construction (Mitchell, 2009). These theories revolve around the traditional project management and product methods and the modern production methods (Wild, 2012).
Traditional project management is one of the most widely used in project management. It gives a clear approach to the stages involved in the execution of construction projects (Riis, 2015). The stages include, planning, monitoring, execution, and completion of the construction projects. This approach ensures that designers and contractors meet the needs of the clients (Dean, 2002).
Advantages of Traditional Method
Communication Channel- The structure of communication channel is outlining in a way that both formal and informal communications flows effectively without any hindrance. In traditional method of production, there workers and managers have their levels of responsibilities (Wild, 2012).
Mass Production- This method involves the production of items in large quantities. It can be applied in the production of construction materials to be used in the construction industry. All projects can benefit from the latest technology as they flow through the functional departments. This will help in address the environmental concerns in construction and the unnecessary distraction that would be caused to the workers when such materials are manufactured on site (Wild, 2012).
Cost control- The traditional method ensures that the projects are completed within the allocated budget. This is made possible through a wide labor base; this ensures that the allocated time limit is met. Traditional construction method helps in solving the problem of cost minimization. In addition, the attempt to provide unique products in a competitive sector proves to be difficult (Wild, 2012). However, in the case of batch and mass production, the cost minimization can be achieved enjoying economies of scale (Riis, 2015).
Efficient Method – One of the advantages of the traditional method is is its efficiency in the production of the desired products. This helps in satisfaction of the client’s needs and production of the unique buildings and structure (Doumeingts, 2004). Traditional methods, therefore, help in achieving the construction companies to attain goals and objectives. This in turn leads strengthening of the bond between the professionals, designers, and clients.
Time
Successful project
(Okino, Tamura and Fujii, 2008)
Quality Budget
Figure 1. Key factors for successful project
Limitations of Traditional Method
Traditional method also has various limitations which affect its application in the modern construction sector. Lack of commitment and poor coordination has led to under performance. This makes clients have less trust to the structures built by the contractors hence unmet client satisfaction (Doumeingts, 2004).
There is a serious struggle to execute all the outlined activities within the given timeline in the traditional methods of construction (Stradling, 2010). This has been evident by top managers paying much attention to the activities that matter to them. In addition, conflicts occur between top managers due to lack of customer focus in their decision making process (Doumeingts, 2004).
Modern Construction Methods
Transformative Flow Value Method
This method tries to address the management of the three fundamental principles if production (Zimmermann and Sovereign, 2006). It holds that in production, the transformation, flow of production and the value addition views must be balanced to bring out a unique outcome (Harvard Business Review, 2006). It calls for the three views, that is, modeling, value addition, and transformation to be attentively monitored while carrying out production, construction in specific (Dean, 2002). The methods bring more practical contributions of the production methods to production of quality outputs and use of the advancing technology (Riis, 2015). It is widely observed that, due to variability of production methods in construction, intended task management degenerates into mutual adjustment by teams on site (Zimmermann and Sovereign, 2006). Previous research shows that there are management problems associated with client decision, design management, and construction management (Canela, 2012). It is therefore possible to do away with no site work by use of prefabricated materials (Zimmermann and Sovereign, 2006). The use of technology in construction, like the 3D design, Last Planner and other construction automation techniques can be used reduce the time interval between different activities so to produce the desired qualities of products. This theory is relevant to the production methods used in the construction industry since professionals to address the current dilemma in the industry can use it (Riis, 2015).
Construction Projects Are Unique
Mass housing projects significantly differ from the one-off conventional building projects usually experienced in the building industry, and hence need unique skills and approach for management in Mass House Project delivery (Dean, 2002).. This unique MHPs nature adds to management competencies that effect to delivery breakdowns when administration approach is not modified to the project features (Riis, 2015). Nevertheless, acknowledge and understanding of the unique characteristics of Mass Housing Projects is vital towards enhancing organization, managerial efficiency, planning, and delivery achievement of MPHs. Currently, wide studies that establish the unique characteristics of MPHs are inadequate (Wild, 2012).
Lean Method of Construction
Luri Koskela put this theory forward in 1993. He argued that construction industry would benefit much from adopting the basic principles, technological advancement, and the lean manufacturing technique (Canela, 2012). According to Koskel, the adoption of these new approaches will help the construction companies eliminate the inefficiencies arising from replication, many waste, and inefficient methods of production. Adoption of the lean manufacturing theory in the construction industry will help the professionals integrate the use of technology in the management of construction projects. Since production, management is concerned with the planning, resourcing and controlling of the processes and procedures, which are involved in converting raw materials into the finished products, and the delivery of products to clients and customers. It can also be applied in the modeling and designing of b...