Editorial

Citation

Haupt, T.C. (2007), "Editorial", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 5 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/jedt.2007.34305aaa.001

Editorial

This particular issue is the inaugural one by Emerald who are the new publishers of the Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology. We are excited about this development which we believe will have a positive impact on the journal from quality, promotional and distribution aspect.

It covers a broad range of topics that address design perspectives of supply chain management, impact of legislation on designers, effects of variations on project performance, quality management in the SME sector, effects of prefabrication on various types of project, and water consumption management in the public sector.

Supply chain management has been well researched and documented. However, the discussion by Austin, Thorpe, Root, Thomson and Hammond of the concept of a design chain and the need for integrated teams is a departure from the norm. They argue that Integrated Collaborative Design places the design processes and information at the center of project management practice. The approach advocated facilitates the development of relationships between all parties that recognizes design process complexity and the need for a cohesive framework to design and deliver construction projects.

Smallwood and Haupt consider the impact on architects of recently introduced construction regulations in South Africa. In particular, the new regulatory framework places significant responsibilities on architects. The findings reported in their paper suggest that the traditional project parameters of cost, quality and time were still more important to architects than health and safety. There was, however, an increased awareness of health and safety and consideration of this aspect. They argue for the inclusion of construction health and safety to feature more prominently in architectural education and training programs. Professional bodies that represent architects are challenged to provide health and safety practice notes to their members.

The impact of variation orders on the cost and time project parameters is quantitatively assessed by Oladapo. The paper reports that this impact is significant. After an analysis of 30 completed projects variations accounted for 79 and 68 percent, respectively, of cost and time overruns, respectively. Olapado argues that the findings should enable stakeholders to re-appraise their roles in the effort collectively to reduce the occurrence and effects of variations particularly with reference to changes in specification and scope.

In his paper, Chileshe discusses a practical methodology for understanding and implementing quality management terminology in the context of the SME sector in the UK. He argues that the confusion and uncertainty stemming from the terminology negatively affects TQM implementation in this sector. Chileshe suggests that the focus of the quality improvement efforts of SMEs should rather be on practices and techniques within a structured and systematic framework.

Tam, Tam and Ng present the findings of their study on the implementation of prefabrication in the context of different project types and procurement approaches. They found that residential projects and the use of design-build procurement methods were ideally suited for the use of prefabrication. However, they also make recommendations for improved implementation of prefabrication on a range of other project types and using various procurement approaches.

The World Summit on Sustainable Development and the equitable distribution and responsible use of resources provide the backdrop for the final paper by Oliver and Brümmer. They discuss a structured approach to minimize the use of water in public sector facilities, focusing particularly on schools. Given that water is a scarce national resource and the large number of schools, they argue that water conservation in the form of reduced consumption will have varied impacts. These include environmental benefits and direct and indirect cost savings. They recommend, inter alia, the installation of pressure reducing devices, water strainers, and non-return equipment, use of irrigation of sportsfields and gardens, and regular and consistent monitoring.

Special thanks to each of the contributing authors and reviewers for their contributions to the papers in this inaugural issue by Emerald.

Theo C. HauptCape Town, South Africa