Applying an Integrated Systems Perspective to the Management of Engineering Projects

Philbin, Simon P.

doi:10.15302/j-fem-2015004

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 46 publications

(39 reference statements)

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“…The task of the construction phase is to combine this structured system in an effective manner (Halfawy and Froese, 2007). Philbin (2015) proposed an integrated system, which included the process, technology, resource, knowledge, culture, and impact of technology. Liu et al (2014) identified certain critical success factors for innovation in the construction phase from the perspective of integration.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meta-synthesis management framework of a complex project: A case study of the deck pavement project of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

Mai¹,

Gao²,

An³

et al. 2018

Front Eng manag

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Innovative technology and deep uncertainty during the design and construction process of complex projects introduce great challenges to their organization and management. The traditional methods, represented in the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) guide, can solve systematic problems; however, they cannot solve complex problems. Based on the management practice implemented in the deck pavement project of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), in this work, we propose a meta-synthesis management framework for a complex project from the perspective of the science of complexity. The method deems that the complexity of the project has the characteristic of being multi-scale both in the design phase and the construction phase. These problems can be classified into different categories, each of which requires a different strategy. As a result, it is first necessary to adopt the "exploration" strategy to reduce project complexity and to transform the deep uncertainty problems into systematic problems. Then, the "exploitation" strategy should be used to apply the PMBOK and other traditional methods to achieve the design and construction goals of the project and to improve its efficiency. More specifically, in the design phase of a complex project, the "innovative integration" process is used for the exploration of the new engineering technology and knowledge; then, the "functional integration" process is employed to define the system architecture, the interface relationship, the technical index, and other functions. In the construction phase, the "adaptive integration" process is used for the construction of the engineering organization system; next, the "efficient integration" process is employed to improve the actual construction performance. The meta-synthesis management framework proposed in this work reveals the multi-scale principle of solving complex problems in the management practice of a complex project, and develops the methodology of metasynthesis.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meta-synthesis management framework of a complex project: A case study of the deck pavement project of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

Mai¹,

Gao²,

An³

et al. 2018

Front Eng manag

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“…It is commonly accepted that good research and development practices are essential for growing and well positioned large enterprises in the manufacturing market, commonly having dozens or hundreds of projects. The development of competitive new products is likely the most important task that allows a manufacturing enterprise surveillance within a competitive environment [1,2]; such NPD projects can positively impact in the company competitive position allowing a better efficiency in the product management, and/or the generation of social benefits [3]. Hence, for the growth of enterprises under stiff competition, good New Product Development (NPD) projects are required.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Interval‐Based Evolutionary Approach to Portfolio Optimization of New Product Development Projects

Fernández

Gómez-Santillán

Rangel-Valdez

et al. 2019

Mathematical Problems in Engineering

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The growth of large enterprises in the manufacturing market commonly depends on good New Product Development (NPD) projects; these projects represent a strategy to overcome competitors inside a competitive environment. The management of such projects is usually complex and involves risk due to the changing and conflicting environment. The approaches that tackle the problem lack an explicit consideration of the DM’s attitude facing uncertainty and imprecision related to the risk and particularly in the presence of time-interdependencies. This paper proposes a model of the time-related effects, under imperfect knowledge, and their influence in choosing optimal NPD portfolios. The proposed approach is an interval-based method to solve NPD portfolio optimization problems under different forms of imperfect knowledge. This approach has the advantage of a unified and simple way to model the different sources of imprecision, vagueness, uncertainty, and arbitrariness. The attitude of the DM facing the imperfect knowledge is adjusted by using some meaningful parameters. The research focuses particularly in creating a method useful for risk-averse DMs. The proposal was tested through an experimental design that compared the results achieved by the new method against the expected value in portfolios. The results revealed that high levels of conservatism might prevent wasting resources in failed projects.

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“…However, the traditional reductionist focuses on the isolated components of a system and frequently overlooks critical interactions across individual components. System theory emphasizes the integration of individual systems to achieve a common system goal (Davies and Mackenzie, 2014;Philbin, 2015). General methods of construction management cannot be simply applied to mega-projects.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

From systematicness to complexity: Fundamental thinking of mega-project management

Sheng¹,

Lin²

2018

Front Eng manag

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Applying an Integrated Systems Perspective to the Management of Engineering Projects

Cited by 6 publications

References 46 publications

Meta-synthesis management framework of a complex project: A case study of the deck pavement project of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

Meta-synthesis management framework of a complex project: A case study of the deck pavement project of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

An Interval‐Based Evolutionary Approach to Portfolio Optimization of New Product Development Projects

From systematicness to complexity: Fundamental thinking of mega-project management

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