Optimizing construction processes by reorganizing abilities of craftsmen

Abstract

This paper is focused on the consideration that construction processes can be executed in a better way if specific interfaces are avoided. The interfaces regarded in this paper result form the decomposition of construction activities into subsets. This decomposition is influenced by traditional outlines of professions. As a consequence of this decomposition, interfaces in the process occur. The interfaces can be weighted by costs. Different decompositions can be determined where the sum of the project costs is varying. The goal is to determine a decomposition of the overall process where the total of the costs results in a minimum. This decomposition represents the optimum concerning interfaces between project participants. As a consequence of a different decomposition, abilities of craftsmen need to be reorganized so that this paper describes a theoretical background that can be used in civil engineering for reorganizing abilities of craftsmen with the aim to minimize project costs. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.