Transcript Slide 1

Using group support system in virtual
value management workshops for major
construction projects
YUAN Zhao,
Prof. Geoffrey Q.P. Shen
Dr. Jacky K.H. Chung
Definition of VM
• Value management (VM) can be defined as a
structured and analytical process, the purpose
of which is to seek to achieve value for money
by providing all of the necessary functions at
the lowest cost consistent with required levels
of quality and performance. (AS/NZS 4183,
1994)
Definition of VM (Cont’d)
Value = Function / Cost
Or
Value= Satisfaction of needs / Use of resources
Why is VM?
• It focuses on briefing stage and design process
of projects.
• It seeks to build consensus and to solve
conflicts between project stakeholders.
• It works for saving time and saving money.
VM workshop
•
VM studies are conducted in the form of
workshops which are led by trained facilitators
and involve major stakeholders of a project
through a structured job plan (Fan et al, 2010).
•
The job plan in VM methodology is often used as
a standard to guide the implementation of VM
workshops (Norton and McElligott, 1995).
A Standard Job Plan
VM Workshop
Pre-workshop
Phase 1.
Information
Phase 2.
Analysis
Phase 4.
Evaluation
(Judgment)
Phase 3.
Creativity
Phase 5.
Development
Post-workshop
VM workshop development
?
GDSS
IT software
Face-to-face
Virtual workshop
GDSS-supported workshop
Workshop with IT
Nominal workshop
Virtual VM and objectives of the research
GSS Database
Remote GSS
Web ServerInternet
• A GDSS-supported workshop designed to
support face-to-face discussion in same
location.
GSS Client 1
Router
Firewall
Firewall
GSS Client 2
Internet
GSS Database
• Virtual VM designed for workshops where
participants are geographically dispersed.
GSS Client 3
PC
PC
GSS
Server
PC
PC
Switch
PC
Printer
Browser 1
Printer
Browser 2
Browser 3
Browser 4
GSS Client n
Browser n
Research methods
•
•
•
•
Focus group meetings
Experimental studies
Questionnaire survey
Software engineering
A Virtual VM System (VVMS)
Email
User
Input
Email
Server
News Publishing
Module
Data
Results
User
Inquiry
GDSS
database
Input
Check
Inquiry
Results
User
Results
Query
Requests
GDSS
Server
Browser
Data Feedback
If
false
Messages
User
Data
Check
Video & Audio
Facilitator
Collaborative
Text communication
Adobe Connect 8 Service
If
true
Data
processing
Results
Experiment design
• 2 Sessions
- Session A with GDSS
- Session B with VVMS
• 4 groups in each Session with same numbers
of participants
• 4 selected Tasks for Creativity Phase
Experiment design (Cont’d)
• Participants: Masters level students from BRE
• Participants’ Background:
Statistics of participants’ position
Senior/Managerial
Level
10
Professional/Middle
Level
26
Technical/Operatio
nal Level
12
Total
Number
48
Experiment design (Cont’d)
Experiment design (Cont’d)
Session A
•
Session B
The two Sessions used the same facilitation materials
and schedule
Research findings
Number of generated ideas in creativity phase
Total generated ideas
Unique ideas
Unique P1 ideas
Workshop
approach
(Sessions)
Virtual VM
(Session B)
GDSS-supported
(Session A)
Virtual VM
(Session B)
GDSS-supported
(Session A)
Virtual VM
(Session B)
GDSS-supported
(Session A)
Task 1
107
71
70
45
59
34
Task 2
66
44
55
41
45
23
Task 3
104
115
85
72
73
49
Task 4
84
98
84
52
46
23
Research findings (Cont’d)
1. A larger number of unique ideas was generated by VVMSenabled groups than by GDSS-supported groups in a VM
workshop;
2. Much higher quality ideas generated by VVMS-enabled
groups than by GDSS-supported groups in a VM workshop;
and
3. There is a significant difference in satisfaction with a VM
workshop between VVMS-enabled groups and GDSSsupported groups.
VVMS benefits and drawbacks
Benefits:
• Realized virtual VM
• Enhanced information sharing
• Online collaboration
• Effective creativity in VM
• Independence in evaluation
Drawbacks:
• Insufficient interaction between participants
• Cannot work when internet disconnected
Limitations
1. Network environment
2. Schedule is unfair for Session B
3. Virtual facilitation and activities
4. Group size
Thank You
Q&A