Editorial

Citation

Haupt, T.C. (2008), "Editorial", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 6 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/jedt.2008.34306aaa.001

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Volume 6, Issue 1.

The 4D planning, views on project success and performance measurement, disparity and preservation of structural and fabrics integrity, agility quantification, construction worker health and safety (H&S) knowledge, awareness and implementation are the topics featured in this issue of the Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology.

Allen and Smallwood argue in their paper, that due to the unprecedented growth in the construction industry and general skills shortage construction planning will become more critical. The results of their study suggest that 4D planning provides the opportunity to visualize the process implications in creating 3D reality while facilitating improved coordination, communication and delivery of a construction project to program. They argue hat contractors need to use 4D models to evaluate their critical activities, maximize the use of their on-site personnel and materials and communicate the site-based planning process.

FroÍdell, Lindahl and Josephson identify construction project performance success factors from the perspective of clients. The most important success factors identified were user participation, project commitment, consideration of optimum quality standards. They argue that clients do not interrogate how many factors are measured as long as the results are highly valid.

In his paper, Ilozor suggests that life-cycle preservation, operation and maintenance needs of buildings are rarely considered at their initial architectural design and creation stages. He suggests that the disconnections in built facilities life cycle, from their initial creation processes through use to obsolescence result in this shortcoming. The study reported on aims to identify and discuss those architectural and building features associated with certain faults and defects and by implication, impact the preservation of the structural and fabrics integrity. Arguably, understanding these features and their impact will influence the choice of design and building features and styles as well as material options for architects, designers and clients.

Vinodh, Sundararaj, Devadasan and Rajanayagam in their paper suggest that to acquire agile characteristics, modern organizations are required to measure the agility level at which they operate. They report on the design of a tool for quantifying agility in organizations and experimental tests on its practical compatibility using a sample of company executives in India.

In the first of two papers on construction H&S, Edwards and Holt argue that despite numerous factors relating to the effectiveness of H&S management within construction a specific factor influencing the extent of H&S incidents on site is the extent of worker H&S knowledge. Using data from 564 respondents they conclude that workers having recently undertaken H&S training exhibit optimum retained knowledge, the level of which remains relatively consistent regardless of where they resided or their age.

Musonda and Smallwood conducted a study in Botswana to determine the level of awareness and practical implementation of construction H&S. They found that the level of H&S awareness was low, H&S legislation was not complied with nor enforced, construction management commitment was poor, H&S management systems, procedures and protocols were lacking, and involvement in H&S by clients and designers was minimal. They suggest that H&S legislation and regulations should be promulgated in accordance with the International Labor Organization recommendations. Further, all stakeholders should be equally responsible for H&S.

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

Theo C. Haupt