Browsing by Author "Thilakarathna, NRK"

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item: Thesis-Full-text
Framework for lean implementation in construction processes
Thilakarathna, NRK; De Silva, LM; Senarathne, S; Sandanayaka, Y
Framework for Lean Implementation in Construction Processes Non Value Adding Activities (NVAAs) generated in a construction process are recognized as one ofits major weaknesses since they adversely affect its performance and efficiency and produce unwanted cost. Activities that do not add value to the final product are merely a waste and need to be minimized or eliminated altogether. The major reason for our inability to minimize NVAAs is our failure to recognize them. Most ofthe NVAAs are intangible and invisible. Only a few attempts have so far been made to minimize the NVAAs in construction processes. Lean construction is one of the attempts made to apply lean production principles to the construction industry to minimize NVAAs in its construction processes management approach which is linked closely to the overall life of a project to ensure its success. Lean construction is still new to many in the construction industry in the world. There is no minimize NVAAs and this research aims to develop such a framework for implementing lean techniques in the construction industry in the country in order to minimize its non-value adding activities. It will also propose a tool for determining the lean maturity of a construction project by assessing the extent to which lean techniques have been applied in that project. A detailed literature review was carried out to investigate lean implementation in construction processes towards developing a conceptual framework by identifying the research gap and the approach that has to be used to fill the gap by implementing lean techniques. This conceptual framework was improved through an opinion survey. Quantitative research techniques were adopted to collect data from three different surveys. Findings of the first survey revealed with examples, the existence of non-value adding activities in construction processes in the construction industry in Sri Lanka with the second survey revealing their level of implementing the lean techniques. The findings of the third survey map non-value adding activities against lean techniques and emphasize the need for developing a framework for implementing lean techniques that will minimize NVAAs in the construction processes. Based on the data collected from the three surveys, a framework for implementing lean techniques and a tool for assessing lean maturity of a construction project were developed. The framework and the tool were thereafter validated through an expert survey. The study concludes by identifying the significance of implementing the most suitable lean techniques in different stages of construction processes that will make them lean with minimum waste thereby ensuring their long term sustainability
item: Thesis-Abstract
Transfer of construction project knowledge through lessons -learned practices in Sri Lanka
(2014-08-13) Thilakarathna, NRK; Senaratne S
The knowledge gained on a particular project is a highly valuable organizational resource. Lessons-learned (LL) practice can be viewed as a key mechanism in capturing and transferring project knowledge created during project activities to future projects. In LL practices, the team members of the project are involved in reflective discussions about what went well and what went wrong with the aim of improving future project performance. Among the various initiatives for addressing the challenges facing in the construction industry in Sri Lanka, it is now recognized that managing project knowledge is equally important. However, there is dearth of studies conducted in Sri Lanka to identify current LL practices in construction and opportunities for improvements. Thus, aim of this research was to find out how project knowledge is transferred from the construction project to future projects through lessons-learned practices in Sri Lanka. The case study research approach was used to investigate the research problem through frame work by interviewing key project personnel including the project managers. Software Nvivo applied to codify the transcripts. Content and cross case analysis were carried out to identify the transfer of construction project knowledge through lessons-learned practices in Sri Lanka. The findings reveal several barriers for practice of LL such as construction project based nature and practitioners' negative attitudes. Although there were barriers explored based on the personal development of individual team members, the \ majority identified the requirement to adopt the lessons-learned practices for the benefit of the respective parent organizations. The research finally, provides some guidelines on how to overcome the identified barriers for an effective LL practice for Sri Lankan Construction Industry.