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Measuring and improving productivity in construction is a complex issue. This paper introduces the development of an internal benchmarking and metrics (BM&M) model for industrial construction enterprises to help them understand and implement mechanisms for continuously improving construction productivity. Processes are developed in the model for: (1) measuring and reporting craft labor productivity performance; (2) examining productivity influencing factors with respect to construction environment factors and construction practices implementation; (3) establishing a productivity performance evaluation model to understand mechanisms by which the environment factors and construction practices impact productivity; and (4) conducting strategic gap analysis of construction practices implementation. The model is validated on data collected by the designed BM&M process from an industrial construction company, which implemented the model. In conclusion, the model can be effectively used to understand the impact of practices implementation levels on productivity. This contributes knowledge towards implementation of productivity improvement methods in a company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve construction productivity and performance, it must be measured. The Construction Sector Council (CSC) has started a Labour Productivity and Project Performance Benchmarking Program for the infrastructure sector of the construction industry in Canada. Metrics were developed for project cost, time, safety, and quality performance; labour productivity; rework; project conditions; and management practices related to health and safety. Data from 19 projects located in different regions of Canada were collected and analyzed. Based on the results and on industry feedback, additional metrics for practices related to project planning, materials management, and construction supervisory skills development were developed. This paper describes the development of the program. Lessons learned during the development and implementation of the benchmarking and metrics program are summarized and steps to establish a sustainable program are identified. It is concluded that a successful program is feasible and has the potential to have broad impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the state of companies that develop information technology (IT) for the construction industry in Canada. The study collects survey results and other data about these companies. It explores the number and nature of companies; their products and markets; and their opinions about IT trends, opportunities and barriers, and collaboration with government and university resources. The study concludes that a small construction IT industry exists in Canada, with some established successful companies and a number of younger ventures. These companies offer some products on par with the best construction IT in other countries, but they fall somewhat behind other countries in forming an advanced construction IT community of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction contracts are becoming more complicated, and the increase in complexity of construction processes, documents, and conditions of contracts has contributed to a higher possibility of disputes and conflicting interpretations. The judicial system has been the means for dispute resolution for claims that cannot be solved through other means such as negotiation and arbitration. Knowledge of previous outcomes of judicial processes will both inform participants in a dispute and increase the likelihood of a less-expensive out-of-court dispute-resolution process. This paper presents a methodology to classify, categorize, and analyze Canadian case-law construction claims. In total, 567 Canadian construction court cases have been collected from 10 different sources and are classified into 12 categories that follow the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) standard construction contract document CCDC 2-1994. The proposed methodology is implemented in a computer-integrated system called the Canadian construction claim tracker (CCCT), which consists of one central database and three modules, namely a statistical module, a prediction module, and a classification module. The CCCT provides its users with easy and quick access to past case-law claim information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing interest in reuse and recycling in the Canadian construction industry. This interest is driven partly by the recent adoption in Canada of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System and partly by a greater general awareness of environmental issues. Designers are beginning to look at how to incorporate reused steel components into construction projects, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions by saving on primary steel production. However, although some designers are willing to redesign their projects to make use of available reclaimed structural steel components, it is often difficult to identify suitable materials in the local area at the appropriate time in the life of a project. A limiting factor is that designers, construction companies, and others perceive a lack of a well-established and easily available mechanism for exchange of reclaimed components. This paper reviews the issues that are relevant to increasing recycling and reuse in construction and focuses on examples that illustrate the benefits that steel can bring to sustainable construction. In particular, it discusses the issues relevant to designing to enable future disassembly and the way in which steel components can be readily reused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]