Related Links: Legal Worries Raised By IPD Alternative Project Delivery on the Rise A recent study by Dodge Data & Analytics provides insights into the impact that delivery systems have on projects from the perspectives of owners, architects and contractors. The research, published in the "Project Delivery Systems SmartMarket Report," primarily focused on three delivery systems: design-bid-build, design-build and construction management at-risk (CM at-risk). The findings reveal that there is no single, well-established delivery system most likely to improve project results across the board.For example, most owners reported strong performance on budget and schedule for each system, with only minor
Related Links: Attributes Most Related to Project Success A Business Case for Lean Construction Practices No one in the design and construction industry would disagree that complex construction projects have a wide variety of inherent uncertainties and risks. Those can affect the cost, schedule and quality of a project and the performance of the project team.However, new research by McGraw Hill Construction, published in the "Managing Uncertainty and Expectations in Building Design and Construction SmartMarket Report," shows that owners, architects and contractors have different views about expectations of perfect performance, causes of uncertainty and the best means to mitigate their
Related Links: Early Involvement Improves Contractor Understanding of Green Priorities Super-Sustainable Bullitt Center Is ENR Editors' Top Choice for 2013 The construction industry is focusing more of its resources on how buildings affect the health and well-being of their occupants. The rise of sustainability has played an important role in this trend.New research by McGraw Hill Construction (MHC) reveals an industry-wide commitment to improve the "healthy impacts" of buildings and a few significant disconnects between owners and contractors about those impacts. The research includes opinions from owners, contractors, architects, human-resource professionals, medical professionals, homeowners and homebuilders. It was published in
Related Links: LEED Green Building System Shows Strong Growth http://enr.construction.com/business_management/project_delivery/2013/1021-Early-Involvement-Improves-Contractor-Understanding-of-Green-Priorities.aspEarly Involvement Improves Contractor Understanding of Green Priorities Reducing energy use in buildings has long been the target of green contractors and owners alike. The U.S. Dept. of Energy reports that buildings account for 40% of U.S. energy consumption and building owners spend $40 billion annually on energy. Despite this expenditure, building occupants are often uncomfortable in their work spaces.Now a study by McGraw Hill Construction (MHC) suggests that high-performance building system technologies already on the market can offer substantial savings in energy use over traditional systems. Working in partnership with
Related Links: Turner Stops Work Companywide to Talk Lean Construction Southland Industries Angles Toward More Project Diversity The construction industry has always been marked by struggles with low margins and high risk. Lean construction offers one possible solution to these issues, but as a project delivery approach, it still remains largely untapped in the industry.A new study from McGraw Hill Construction (MHC) and Dassault Systèmes, published in the "Lean Construction: Leveraging Collaboration and Advanced Practices to Increase Project Efficiency SmartMarket Report," demonstrates that too few contractors are familiar with lean practices and the benefits they offer. In particular, the study
Related Links: Report Shows Green Building Growing Around the World Contractors See Growth in Green Schools Market Green building is becoming an increasingly important aspect of construction in the retail and hotel sectors, says a recent study from McGraw Hill Construction—like ENR, a unit of McGraw Hill Financial. Fifty-two percent of retail and restaurant owners say that, within the next two years, more than half their projects will be green, up from a current 38%, and 64% of hotel owners report the same, up from 48%. The study was published this summer in McGraw Hill Construction's "Green Retail and Hospitality
Related Links: Full Research Report CBQ Infographic: Practices Found Most Effective to Increasing Productivity Safety-Incentive Programs Questioned Behavior-Based Safety Programs Can Keep Ambulances Away Safety management practices are of particular importance to today's construction industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that construction worker fatalities declined 23% from 2008 to 2011, representing 235 fewer fatalities. However, with McGraw Hill Construction Dodge construction starts showing a 21% decrease during this same time, it's unclear whether the industry is making true strides toward improved safety.The good news is that the industry is reporting significant benefits resulting from safety management programs. Research