The construction industry is one of the most diverse industries that provide the desired foundation for the economic growth. Existing contractual structure that bases the framework for activities within this significant industry discourages coordination between the project players. Each of these attributes can lead to an environment of distrust with unresolved claims, budget overruns and schedule delay. This study presents a formal contractual framework that increases productivity, maximizes efficiency and minimizes wastes thorough utilizing partnering and integrated project delivery (IPD) approach. Partnering is an approach that provides more beneficial construction environment through defining shared goals for all the project stakeholders, while IPD is a PDS that integrates all project participants to deliver the best end product. The aim of this study is to build a collaborative environment that anticipates potential problems, allocates risks properly and as the bottom line, “Best for Project” shapes all the activities within this working relationship.

This research is focused on developing a simulation (game) that will help explain the basic principles of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Target Value Design (TVD). The transfer of knowledge about Lean principles is currently limited and there is a need for teaching materials in this field. The Lean Construction community believes that teaching lean principles through games or simulations is very effective. This study is focused on developing a simulation that explains the basic principles of IPD and TVD. After study of current literature related to IPD, TVD and Lean simulations, this game was developed and then tested on construction professionals and students. Test results from a first run study showed that the simulation helps to explain some principles of IPD and TVD. However further study is needed to ensure that those who engage this simulation confidently understand key principles of IPD and TVD.

The aims of this study are to explore the implementation status of the New Student Counseling System ¡V The Experimental Integrated Project of Instruction, Discipline and Counseling in elementary schools in Tainan city to understand the teaching professionals¡¦ perception, attitudes developed through the involvement and recognition of the effectiveness of the project; to analyze the predictive function of the teaching professionals¡¦ perception and attitudes developed through the involvement on the effectiveness of the project; to compare the differences of the teaching professionals¡¦ backgrounds as a variable in the three aspects ¡V perception, attitudes and effectiveness. This study applies questionnaires titled ¡§Current Implementation Status Investigation on the Integrated Project of Instruction, Discipline, and Counseling¡¨ as a tool to do the survey. All of the 864 teaching professionals who have participated in this project, including principles, school division directors and teachers, are sampled. The following conclusions are made after the statistical analysis is applied. 1.Participants¡¦ perception, attitudes and recognition of implementation have reached levels of over-average to high. 2.The perception in the aspect of adjusting the structure and administrative effectiveness of the discipline and counseling organization can be increased. 3.The perception, attitudes and recognition of the implementation results of school principles and division directors are significantly higher than those of teachers. 4.Participants of the project with working experience over 21 years have better performance in the aspects of perception, attitudes, and recognition of the implementation results. Their professionalism should be acclaimed and is worth recognition and encouragement from educational bureaus. 5. Participants¡¦ perception, attitudes and recognition of implementation results possess a predictive function. The study has offered suggestions to educational bureaus, school administrations and future studies, according to the conclusions.

Owner groups and Facility Managers of health care facilities interested in reducing operation and maintenance (O&M) expenses for new facilities have often been placed in the difficult position of making cost-benefit assessments without a complete understanding of the cumulative impact of building systems selection on their internal rate of return. This is particularly true when owners are evaluating the initial cost and operational benefit (if any) of obtaining various levels of "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) certifications for their buildings. Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, and Lighting (HVAC&L) loads comprise 51% of the total energy demand in the typical outpatient facility; however, in order to estimate the likelihood of achieving a particular LEED rating for a new building, a "Whole Building Energy Simulation" is necessary to evaluate HVAC&L system performance. The conventional of requiring a design upon which to base an analysis presents owner operators attempting to perform a Lifecycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) early in the concept phase with two unique problems - how to estimate energy use without an actual "design" to model, and how to estimate a system's first cost without knowing its performance requirements. This study outlines a process by which existing energy metrics from the Department of Energy (DOE), Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS), and Energy Star, can be made early during the developer's pro forma phase - without the need for a building design. Furthermore, preliminary business decisions targeted at determining the likelihood of obtaining a particular LEED rating, and specifying the corresponding building systems, can be estimated without the cost required to employ an Architect and Engineer (A&E) team, or the time necessary to develop a design. This paper concludes that regional factors can dramatically affect a building's required level of energy performance, and that the highest performing HVAC&L system, irrespective of cost, will not always provide the best return on investment. Accordingly, the national averages utilized to establish LEED EA1 thresholds do not reflect the cost particularities owners may encounter when developing in various climate zones, and therefor may be less relevant to lifecycle considerations that previously believed.

Los proyectos de construcción suelen tener relaciones adversarias entre colaboradores, bajos ratios de productividad, alto grado de ineficiencia y re trabajo, frecuentes disputas y poca innovación. Como resultado, se tienen proyectos que son muy costosos y que no cumplen con los plazos especificados. Este panorama puede ser visto desde enfoques diversos de solución, empezando por la mejora de la productividad, la tecnología, entre otros. Sin embargo, es necesario revisar las bases mismas de la relación entre las empresas que forman parte de un proyecto y, a partir de ello, presentar un nuevo modo de trabajo colaborativo: el IPD, un marco de trabajo integrador de resultados fascinantes.

Master of Science / Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science / Julia A. Keen / The purpose of this report is to provide information on Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) as a construction project delivery method and identify some of the obstacles that are limiting its implementation into the design and construction industry. This report includes a general overview of IPD and a comparison to traditional project delivery methods: Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, and Construction Manager at Risk. The advantages of IPD and its possible positive impact on the industry is introduced followed by the three major obstacles that must be evaluated and resolved before this delivery method can begin to be embraced by the industry. The three major obstacles include: contracts, insurance, and IPD structure for facilitation. Each of these obstacles is explored in detail and solutions being successfully implemented by industry professionals are presented. Finally, conclusions about the future of IPD are presented along with future research that needs to be conducted for a better overall understanding of IPD.

O setor da construção civil atualmente apresenta uma forte demanda por inovações nas tecnologias de informação e comunicação na construção. Nesse contexto, a modelagem da informação da construção vem se destacando como um dos principais temas em desenvolvimento no Brasil e no mundo. O foco das pesquisas e iniciativas relacionadas à implementação da modelagem da informação da construção apresenta uma lacuna quanto ao desenvolvimento de seus processos, além de empecilhos relacionados aos aspectos de colaboração entre os agentes. Diante deste quadro, o American Institute of Architects propôs um modelo contratual para projetos integrados, denominado Integrated Project Delivery, que fomenta a relação colaborativa dos agentes do empreendimento por meio do compartilhamento dos resultados entre os participantes. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo a análise da possibilidade de implantação desta dinâmica contratual no cenário da construção civil brasileira. Para tanto, foram avaliados os resultados de dois questionários estruturados e do estudo de caso de empresa de incorporação que vem investindo na implantação da modelagem da informação da construção em seu processo de projeto. Os questionários tiveram enfoque nos estágios de maturidade da implementação da modelagem da informação da construção como cenário para o uso do projeto integrado, e os resultados apresentaram um panorama geral de baixa maturidade. No estudo de caso, avaliaram-se os modelos contratuais utilizados em relação às práticas já implantadas do uso da modelagem da informação da construção. Como resultado, foram identificados diversos aspectos do processo de projeto com potencial para implementação de um contrato relacional, porém ainda limitados pela falta de adequação dos processos e modelo contratual às características de colaboração e integração típicas da modelagem da informação da construção. Este trabalho propõe diretrizes para a adequação dos processos observados na empresa-caso ao modelo de projeto integrado proposto pelo American Institute of Architects. / The civil construction sector has demanded innovations on its communication and information technologies. In this context, Building Information Modeling has been stressed as one of the most important developing themes in Brazil and worldwide. The focus of BIM researches and implementation initiatives has a shortage regarding the development of BIM processes, and restrictions related to the collaboration among actors. Due to this scenario, the American Institute of Architects (2007) proposed a contractual model for integrated projects, called Integrated Project Delivery that stimulates a collaborative relationship among actors through sharing project results with its participants. This Master Thesis aims to analyze the possibility of implementing this contractual dynamics on the Brazilian construction sector. As methodology, two structured surveys were analyzed and a case study was carried out on a real estate company which has invested on incorporating BIM in its design process. The surveys were addressed focusing on the BIM implementation stages as a scenario for the implementation of the integrated project approach. The results pointed to a very low stage of BIM implementation. The case study focused on the evaluation of the contractual models related to the implemented BIM practices. Several potential aspects appropriate for the implementation of a relational contract were identified, but still restricted by the inadequacy of the design processes and contracts to BIM collaboration and integration typical characteristics. This Master Thesis defines guidelines for the forthcoming of the observed processes to the integrated project delivery model proposed by the American Institute of Architects.

According to September 2011 information from the U.S. Census Bureau, the construction industry in the United States is valued at nearly eight hundred billion dollars annually. A 2004 collaborative study by Construction Industry Institute and Lean Construction Institute suggests that as much as fifty seven percent of time, effort, and material investment in construction projects do not add value to the final product. When compared with twenty six percent wastes in the manufacturing industry, it becomes obvious that the construction industry has a problem. Construction projects that come in over budget and behind schedule have become the rule rather than the exception, leading to contentious business relationships and costly litigation. This study will strive to identify and analyze the primary sources of these problems. Research and industry experience point to a lack of communication and cooperation among the various entities required to complete a construction project as the leading causes of waste in the industry. Further analysis suggests that traditional forms of construction contracts encourage adversarial and non-cooperative behavior between parties. Additionally, poor communication between various contributors opens the door for additional wasted cost. Fortunately, the development of tools such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) present new options to construction professionals that are proving to help address some of the challenges the industry faces today. IPD as a project delivery method creates a culture of collaboration and teamwork, where a culture of risk avoidance and conflict once stood, while BIM provides a platform for better communication among parties. When used together, these tools can reduce or eliminate many of the major sources of waste within the industry. This thesis will provide descriptions, analysis, and case studies that demonstrate the use of these tools and the potential they have to make a positive impact on the construction industry. / text

This exploratory research examined the degree of adoption and impact of the concepts of Building Information Model (BIM), Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), Integrated Design Process (IDP) and Building Energy Simulation (BES) on the design processes of advanced architectural firms when executing sustainable design. Six offices identified by the press for a strong commitment to sustainable design and influence in the design of high performance buildings were selected as cases. In semi-standardized interviews, these firms presented their perceptions of the influence of BIM, BES, and IPD/IDP. The results show that a generalization of sustainable design processes is possible. A design process for sustainability (DEPROSU) model was created by collecting best practices from data gathered from the interviews and the critical literature review. Secondary contributions show that BIM, IDP/IPD and BES have a synergistic effect in sustainable design methods, and that the human resource profile from these firms has evolved towards multi-skilled professionals knowledgeable in BES, BIM, parametric design, sustainability and construction processes. This research provides evidence of commonalities found in the design processes of the selected firms. These commonalities, which have been represented in the DEPROSU model, can potentially be validated as protocols or standards for sustainable design, providing architectural design practices with concrete patterns for improvement and or validation of their design methods.

O contexto econômico e político da indústria Têxtil e de Confecção nacional mostra que há uma constante preocupação em relação aos sucessivos déficits da balança comercial nos últimos anos. Diante deste cenário, a presente pesquisa busca responder como a sistematização e a integração do processo de projeto e de produção pode contribuir para a melhoria do processo de desenvolvimento de produto de moda? E tem por objetivo propor um modelo de referência de desenvolvimento de produtos baseado na integração e na sistematização que possa ser aplicado na indústria de confecção da área da moda, indicando as atividades e tarefas que a empresa deve seguir. Desta maneira, é investigado o estado da arte dos modelos de projeto de moda, a fim de identificar as diretivas que foram utilizadas na elaboração do modelo proposto. Utilizando-se da estrutura do modelo de projeto integrado PRODIP para nortear a proposta, desenvolveu-se o modelo MODIP (Desenvolvimento Integrado de Produtos em Moda) e através de um modelo de estruturação do PDP é analisada a situação atual do desenvolvimento de produtos de uma microempresa de confecção de vestuário, identificando os pontos críticos e sugerindo soluções viáveis de implementação do MODIP e conclui-se que a sistematização proposta pode contribuir para a organização do PDP de uma empresa. / The economical and political context of the Brazilian Textile industry shows that there is a constant concern in relation to the successive deficits of the trade balance in the last years. Before this scenario, this research seecks to answer the question of how the systematization and the integration of the project process and of the production can contribute to the improvement of the process of development of fashion product? And it has as objective to propose a model of reference for development of products based on the integration and in the systematization that can be applied in the industry of confection of the area of fashion, indicating the activities and tasks that the company should proceed. Thus, the state of art of fashion Project models was investigated, in order to identify the policies that were used in the elaboration of the proposed model. Making use of the structure of the model of integrated project PRODIP to orientate the proposal, the model MODIP (Integrated Development of Products in Fashion) was developed and through a model of structuring of PDP the current situation of the development of products of an apparell industry. Its analysed, identifying the critical points and suggesting viable solutions of implementation of MODIP and it is conclued that the systematization of the model can contribute for the organization of a company’s PDP.