Strategic Management in Construction

Strategic Management in Construction
Author: David Langford
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 258
Release: 2008-04-15
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0470680040

This book reviews the general theory of strategy, relates it to the particular circumstances of the construction industry, and shows how it can be applied in practice. It brings together ideas from economics, marketing, management, business and politics to develop strategic management for both contractors' firms and the associated professions. Substantial changes have occurred in the industry since the book was first published in 1991. This Second Edition reflects the major developments that have followed the Latham and Egan reports, and includes new chapters on international strategy and marketing, showing how they can contribute to the strategic planning of construction organizations. The book will provide a valuable tool for the strategic development of construction firms. "Ten years separate the editions during which period a significant number of British, (and other), construction firms which had survived generations of proprietors merged, changed beyond recognition or ceased trading. One can not but wonder if publication of a work on strategic planning some twenty year earlier might have saved some of them." Construction Manager "The book presents the essential elements for managing at this higher level and should be a must for any construction professional who aspires to an executive position in industry as well as any student for construction management, project management and organizational management in construction. It comes highly recommended" Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management

Strategic Safety Management in Construction and Engineering

Strategic Safety Management in Construction and Engineering
Author: Patrick X. W. Zou
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 261
Release: 2015-03-26
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1118839358

Although the construction and engineering sector makes important contributions to the economic, social, and environmental objectives of a nation, it has a notorious reputation for being an unsafe industry in which to work. Despite the fact that safety performance in the industry has improved, injuries and fatalities still occur frequently. To address this, the industry needs to evolve further by integrating safety into all decision making processes. Strategic Safety Management in Construction and Engineering takes a broad view of safety from a strategic decision making and management perspective with a particular focus on the need to balance and integrate ‘science’ and ‘art’ when implementing safety management. The principles covered here include the economics of safety, safety climate and culture, skills for safety, safety training and learning, safety in design, risk management, building information modelling, and safety research methods and the research-practice nexus. They are integrated into a strategic safety management framework which comprises strategy development, implementation, and evaluation. Practical techniques are included to apply the principles in the context of the construction and engineering industry and projects. Case studies are also provided to demonstrate the localised context and applications of the principles and techniques in practice.

Strategic Project Management Made Simple

Strategic Project Management Made Simple
Author: Terry Schmidt
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 314
Release: 2009-03-16
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 047044293X

When Fortune Magazine estimated that 70% of all strategies fail, it also noted that most of these strategies were basically sound, but could not be executed. The central premise of Strategic Project Management Made Simple is that most projects and strategies never get off the ground because of adhoc, haphazard, and obsolete methods used to turn their ideas into coherent and actionable plans. Strategic Project Management Made Simple is the first book to couple a step-by-step process with an interactive thinking tool that takes a strategic approach to designing projects and action initiatives. Strategic Project Management Made Simple builds a solid platform upon four critical questions that are vital for teams to intelligently answer in order to create their own strong, strategic foundation. These questions are: 1. What are we trying to accomplish and why? 2. How will we measure success? 3. What other conditions must exist? 4. How do we get there? This fresh approach begins with clearly understanding the what and why of a project - comprehending the bigger picture goals that are often given only lip service or cursory reviews. The second and third questions clarify success measures and identify the risky assumptions that can later cause pain if not spotted early. The how questions - what are the activities, budgets, and schedules - comes last in our four-question system. By contrast, most project approaches prematurely concentrate on the how without first adequately addressing the three other questions. These four questions guide readers into fleshing out a simple, yet sophisticated, mental workbench called "the Logical Framework" - a Systems Thinking paradigm that lays out one's own project strategy in an easily accessible, interactive 4x4 matrix. The inclusion of memorable features and concepts (four critical questions, LogFrame matrix, If-then thinking, and Implementation Equation) make this book unique.

The Strategic Management of Large Engineering Projects

The Strategic Management of Large Engineering Projects
Author: Roger Miller
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 268
Release: 2001-03-12
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780262263511

The book is based on an international research project that analyzed sixty LEPs, among them the Boston Harbor cleanup; the first phase of subway construction in Ankara, Turkey; a hydro dam on the Caroni River in Venezuela; and the construction of offshore oil platforms west of Flor, Norway. As the number, complexity, and scope of large engineering projects (LEPs) increase worldwide, the huge stakes may endanger the survival of corporations and threaten the stability of countries that approach these projects unprepared. According to the authors, the "front-end" engineering of institutional arrangements and strategic systems is a far greater determinant of an LEP's success than are the more tangible aspects of project engineering and management. The book is based on an international research project that analyzed sixty LEPs, among them the Boston Harbor cleanup; the first phase of subway construction in Ankara, Turkey; a hydro dam on the Caroni River in Venezuela; and the construction of offshore oil platforms west of Flor, Norway. The authors use the research results to develop an experience-based theoretical framework that will allow managers to understand and respond to the complexity and uncertainty inherent in all LEPs. In addition to managers and scholars of large-scale projects, the book will be of interest to those studying the relationship between institutions and strategy, risk management, and corporate governance in general. Contributors Bjorn Andersen, Richard Brealey, Ian Cooper, Serghei Floricel, Michel Habib, Brian Hobbs, Donald R. Lessard, Pascale Michaud, Roger Miller, Xavier Olleros

Innovation, Strategy and Risk in Construction

Innovation, Strategy and Risk in Construction
Author: Martin Loosemore
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 286
Release: 2013-12-04
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1136673555

1. Serendipity and innovation -- 2. The innovation process -- 3. Innovation in construction -- 4. The history and future of innovation in the construction industry -- 5. Strategy and innovation -- 6. Organizing for innovation -- 7. Managing the risks of innovation -- 8. Conclusion : we need a reality-check.

Strategic Management Applied to International Construction

Strategic Management Applied to International Construction
Author: Rodney Howes
Publisher: Thomas Telford
Total Pages: 292
Release: 2003-02
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780727732118

Written to provide coverage of the knowledge required to address strategic issues relating to the business of construction on a global scale. This book provides knowledge by a series of case studies of leading consultants, and contractors and suppliers of products to highlight practice by organizations in America, Japan and Europe.

Strategic Excellence in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industries

Strategic Excellence in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industries
Author: Gerhard Plenert
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 305
Release: 2018-03-15
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1351045490

Strategic Excellence in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industries is a process of applied strategic thinking designed to develop a strategy empowered with the agility to adapt to changing circumstances and to drive a high performing culture of ideal behaviors. It is infused with the insight and the thought leadership of the Shingo Model and the scientific thinking of Lean Six Sigma. The book goes beyond the classic approach to strategic planning by driving effective execution of the strategy through the embedment of collective ownership and organization-wide alignment into the entire process. Significant advances in strategic planning and management have been developed over decades of learning and practice. Many of those advances, however, have been developed in the manufacturing industry and have not been translated into terms easily applicable to the A/E/C (Architectural / Engineering / Construction) industry. This book incorporates current best practices from cutting edge organizations around the globe and presents those in a way that they can easily be applied to A/E/C organizations through an efficient and effective process.

People and Organizational Management in Construction

People and Organizational Management in Construction
Author: Shamil Naoum
Publisher: Thomas Telford
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2001
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780727728746

This work offers an extended dictionary of key management concepts for students and professionals alike. It helps the reader, through an applied approach to management, to search for the most appropriate ways of improving their organization's performance and effectiveness. With the aid of case studies drawn from the construction industry, this title discusses key management issues including management theory, strategy, organization structure and design, culture, leadership, power, work groups, motivation and personal management.

Project-Based Organizing and Strategic Management

Project-Based Organizing and Strategic Management
Author: Gino Cattani
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
Total Pages: 582
Release: 2011-10-12
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1780521936

Facilitates discussion about project-based organizations (PBOs) and how they increasingly pervade business dimensions, from R&D and new product development, to the production of complex capital goods and implementation of organizational change across very different industries such as management consulting, engineering or entertainment.

Corporate Strategy in Construction

Corporate Strategy in Construction
Author: Steven McCabe
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2010-01-19
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9781444318760

This book draws together the main elements of strategic management theory and considers their relevance to contemporary practice in construction. It helps students understand what corporate strategy involves and how it is possible to develop a proactive approach to the management of key organisational resources that are essential to attain objectives. Understanding of the importance of strategic management has developed rapidly in the past decade. Recent economic events have shown that all organisations must continually reassess their approach to achieving intended objectives, especially improvement in customer focus. The construction industry is no different. Construction employers require graduates who are competent in understanding the basis of strategic management, the range of techniques that will enable the organisation to identify opportunities and threats and respond to rapid change. This book provides an overview of the context in which construction projects are carried out, and the potential methods that exist to conduct strategic analysis and decision-making. By analysing case studies, Corporate Strategy in Construction: Understanding today's theory & practice demonstrates how vital lessons can be learnt from other industries by benchmarking practices and developing alternative ways of delivering value to clients. A key message of the book is that construction organisations can, with a better appreciation of strategic management, increase their potential to innovate and create sustainable competitive advantage.