An introduction to the management techniques which can be applied to the problems of prodcution faced by the construction industry world-wide. It takes a manufacturing approach to construction production, encouraging students to think of construction industry production as a series of systems. The book adopts a lively, colourful and informal approach.

David R. Moore, Douglas J. Hague

Preface vii
Acknowledgements ix
1 Introduction to systems thinking 1
Definitions for key terms 1
Planning, analysis, control (PAC) 2
Imports, conversion, export (ICE) 7
System organisation structures 11
Conclusions 12
Self-test questions 12
2 Planning techniques for defining production systems 13
The value of the planning process 13
Setting the project objectives 15
How many subsystems make a system? 19
Individual system configuration - is it complete? 23
Required system imports 24
Resource scheduling 30
Conclusions 33
Self-test questions 33
3 Analysis techniques for optimising production systems 34
External environmental forces 34
Internal environment forces 37
Buildability 42
Optimisation of the production system 54
Lockstep optimisation 55
Inventory and stock control 73
Implementation 82
Conclusions 83
Self-test questions 84
4 Control techniques for implemented production systems 86
Defining control 86
Budgetary cost control 90
Preface vii
Acknowledgements ix
1 Introduction to systems thinking 1
Definitions for key terms 1
Planning, analysis, control (PAC) 2
Imports, conversion, export (ICE) 7
System organisation structures 11
Conclusions 12
Self-test questions 12
2 Planning techniques for defining production systems 13
The value of the planning process 13
Setting the project objectives 15
How many subsystems make a system? 19
Individual system configuration - is it complete? 23
Required system imports 24
Resource scheduling 30
Conclusions 33
Self-test questions 33
3 Analysis techniques for optimising production systems 34
External environmental forces 34
Internal environment forces 37
Buildability 42
Optimisation of the production system 54
Lockstep optimisation 55
Inventory and stock control 73
Implementation 82
Conclusions 83
Self-test questions 84
4 Control techniques for implemented production systems 86
Defining control 86
Budgetary cost control 90
Interim payments
Standard costing
The Gantt chart
Line of balance
Quality control
Conclusions
Self-test questions
Designing an appropriate organisation structure for production 140
External environment factors
Internal environment factors
Meeting the production objectives
Conclusions
Self-test questions
6 Conclusion
Key considerations
The future
References
Recommended further reading
Glossary of terms
Self-test model answers
Index