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Radical Reduction in Project Cycle Time

Publication No
RR193-11
Type
Academic Document
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2004
Pages
286
Research Team
RT-193
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DOCUMENT DETAILS
Abstract
Key Findings
Filters & Tags
Abstract
From the automotive industry to process industries and from information technology to e-commerce, today’s business relies on just-in-time capacity enhancements and first-to-market product strategies to gain competitive advantage and increase profit margins. This has created an increased demand for a high performance project delivery system that can achieve a dramatic reduction in project delivery time. Very few decision tools and guidelines exist to assist owners and contractors in choosing delivery systems and project strategies to radically reduce the cycle time from the pre-planning stage through start up. This research surveys the owner and construction industries, identifies projects that have achieved a greater than 25% reduction in overall project cycle time when compared to current industry standard, and evaluates and ranks the Best Practices, Management Techniques, and Schedule Reduction Techniques employed on the projects. The research also catalogs the barriers to radical schedule reduction. The result of the research is that radical schedule reduction well in excess of 25% can be achieved through the selective employment of Management Techniques, Schedule Reduction Techniques, and Best Practices. Almost every project can utilize this research to improve project performance whether radical reduction or simply more effective execution is the goal. These techniques and practices, as well as the optimal deployment time, are described in this research.
Key Findings

In order to achieve a 25% or more reduction in project cycle time, the four key drivers listed in key finding #1 must be present. Furthermore, the use of CII best practices are also key components and themes present in typical projects where we find this type of radical reduction. The CII best practices most frequently and successfully used in the case studies are:

  • Alignment
  • Material management
  • Pre-project planning
  • Constructability
  • Design Effectiveness

Management and schedule reduction techniques from other industries are also required in conjunction to CII best practices, in order to achieve radical reduction. The top five include: (RR193-11, p. 190)

  • Startup Driven Scheduling
  • Use of Electronic Media
  • Participative Management
  • Construction-driven Schedule
  • Employee Involvement
The Project Manager’s Game Planner can be developed into an extremely effective decision tool. Based on the criteria of the project, the user can build a customized Game Planner for their requirements, which can be seen below:
Filters & Tags
Knowledge Area
Project & Program Management
Project Phase
Feasibility, Detailed Scope, Detailed Design (Engineering), Procurement, Construction, Commissioning & Startup
Project Function
Project Business Sponsor, Project Management, Architects & Engineering, Construction, Commissioning & Startup, Health, Safety & Environmental, Risk Management, Quality Management, Business Development & Proposals
Industry Group
Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, Buildings, Infrastructure
Research Topic
Radical Reduction in Project Cycle Time
Keywords
Cycle Time, Fast Track, Schedule/Scheduling, Reduction, Project Delivery Time, rt193

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