Showing papers by "Ammar Peter Kaka published in 2008"

An evaluation of risk factors impacting construction cash flow forecast

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the extent of occurrence and impact of risk factors responsible for the variation between the forecast and actual construction cash flow.Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted through a structured questionnaire administered to UK contracting organizations. Adopting a project‐by‐project approach, respondents were asked to provide opinions on the extent of occurrence of some identified risk factors and their impacts on cash flow forecast. Respondents were split into three groups of small, medium and large contracting firms based on their annual turnover so as to be able to investigate statistical differences of opinions between the groups. Statistical analyses were carried out using mean response analysis and univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) in order to determine significant risk factors and also to investigate differences of opinions between respondents' groupings.Findings – The research identified 11 significant risk facto...

A simplified unbalanced bidding model

Abstract: Much research effort to date has focused on the development and use of bidding models in optimizing contractors' bid prices in competitive tendering environments. Unbalanced bidding models, in particular, have the objective of maximizing a project's prospective profits by using techniques of applying differentiated mark‐ups to all of a project's items of work. It is shown here that these unbalanced bidding models have been unnecessarily complicated by incorporating consideration of a project's item costs. Bidding models can be significantly simplified by having the objective of maximizing a project's top‐line revenue rather than maximizing bottom‐line profit. A new model, incorporating all three standard effects of item price loading: namely, front‐end loading, individual‐rate loading, and back‐end loading, is proposed that gives effect to determining the optimum pricing for a project's component items.

Culture change through the use of appropriate pricing systems

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how practitioners have not fully responded to calls for change in culture. Given that construction teams are motivated by several key factors including money, payment systems may play a major role in facilitating this change. Traditional pricing methods are still found to be the most popular system but often criticised for their contribution to the adversarial culture witnessed in the industry. Alternative pricing systems aimed at aligning constructors' behaviour with clients' objectives are emerging. As a result, the choice of an appropriate pricing system must be based on the circumstances surrounding the project and the likelihood that the system is to influence behaviour positively. This paper aims to propose an analytical hierarchic process (AHP) to help the industry do that.Design/methodology/approach – The AHP consists of a MCDM hierarchy structure, pair‐wise comparisons, and the calculation of the relative priorities of MCDM attributes. The attributes...

As-built Documentation of Construction Sequence by Integrating Virtual Reality with Time-lapse Movies

Abstract: Previous research in the documentation and visualization of as-built construction sequences focused on time-lapse movies. However, a major drawback associated with this approach is the difficulty of interacting with the scene in the image. This does not aid comprehension and interpretation of the job site. In order to address this issue, this research proposes the integration of time-lapse movies with 4D virtual reality (VR) models in a complementary fashion. The VR model provides users with the functionality of interacting and exploring the scene, thereby improving comprehension of the job site. The paper presents the development and implementation of a model for documenting as-built construction operations by integrating time-lapse movies with 4D virtual reality models. First, the conceptual model is developed. Based on this, a Windows-based prototype is developed using Visual Basic.Net as a programming interface. The prototype was implemented and tested on a new postgraduate building at Heriot Watt University. The integrated model adequately captures the as-built sequence of construction and provides a quick and effective means of searching for images in an image database. The system has the potential to support education, claims investigation and dispute resolution.

Development of transparent payment systems

Abstract: Purpose – Several types of pricing and payment systems are used in the construction industry. However, the current practice is failing to utilise the potential of a link between project performance and clients' satisfaction on one hand and stakeholders' cash flow on the other. Therefore, a paradigm shift in cash flow research is both timely and necessary. The purpose of this paper is to promote and facilitate the use of appropriate payment systems that satisfy all project members.Design/methodology/approach – The research first investigates how payment systems are being selected, and the drivers for selecting innovative payment systems. A simulation and selection IT system is then developed that can be used to facilitate project stakeholders' satisfaction by selecting the most appropriate payment system for each project member. The proposed system considers alternative payment terms and conditions across the supply chain and in a transparent and negotiated manner.Findings – The outcome should result in pl...