Study on Project Management Organization for Large Quantity Projects Based on BIM Technology

www.seipub.org/ce Construction Engineering Volume 3, 2015 doi: 10.14355/ce.2015.03.007

Study on Project Management Organization for Large Quantity Projects Based on BIM Technology Ning XU Shanghai Shisanye Construction Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China 123xn@tongji.edu.cn

Abstract For the characteristics of large scale and complex management for large quantity projects, based on the BIM technology (building information modeling), a project organizational structure which is suitable for large quantity projects was proposed by increasing a departmental function—BIM center in the organization. Taking the site management and control for a high school as an example, the link of departmental functions and its role in the project management were described. It was shown that BIM center can coordinate the other departmental functions at the same platform. It also can contribute to a higher level of information aggregated in real time as well as controlling the data information from the subcontractors. BIM technology has a huge advantage in the quality management, schedule management and cost management of large quantitiy projects.

Keywords Architecture; Construction; Large Quantity; Information Technology; BIM

Introduction In recent years, large building cluster projects are continuing to appear[1]. Because of the characteristics of large scale, novel structure, complex construction management and involving more technical expertises, the large quantity projects have become the ʺtypical distinctive project.ʺ It is generally acknowledged that in the relatively abundant period, the large quantity projects can be segmented into many zones with flow construction. The simple adding successively method for bulidings demands less management resources, and the construction is relative easy. In many real cases, generally owners require the construction side to complete the construction tasks within a specified period, such as the school owner requires the finish time is August 31 before school starts on September 1.

The owners of residential projects require projects to be completed in Septemper and October because “Gold September and Silver October” for developers sales and so on. Therefore, the construction side needs to build more monomers at the same time, which will demand more project resources, and the construction is difficult.

Project organizational structure is the first problem to be solved in carrying out the project[2]. It is also the most important measure of project management and control. For a better implementation of large quantity projects, it needs to be considered from the source, and there is no use copying a generally conventional organizational structure to manage the large amount projects. This paper will propose a new project management organizational structure by the introduction of BIM technology. With the real example of the first middle school project in Suzhou, the function results of the new organizational structure model will be demonstrated detailedly, and it will provide a reference for the implementation of most similar projects.

Project Management Organization Project organization is one of the assurance systems on project organization to ensure the implementation of project. The current project organizational structure generally includes linear organizational structure model, functional organizational structure model, and matrix organizational structure model[3]. Each form has its specific organizational characteristics, and adapts to different organizational projects. Taking the matrix organizational structure model for an example, this model has two instruction sources, and can strengthen the horizontal linkages

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between departments with great flexibility and adaptability. The model also can inspire the potential of professionals.

The organizational structure model can be determined by many principles, such as the project own circumstances, organizational status, the number of simultaneous implementation of the project, and its task scope in this project[4]. It should use a project organization with high‐efficiency and low‐cost, and it also can communicate with all aspects effectively. Different organizational structure models should be used in different stages of the project life cycle, and certain evaluation should be selected with project organization forms. While the rganizational structure model is simple and fast on decision, the implementation of the project will be very smooth.

Management Organization Structure for Large Quantity Projects In order to solve the project organization for large quantity projects, the conventional method is that the whole site plan is divided into many different small zones, and the management resources such as the manpower, materials and machinery should be satisfied. The organizational structure model is always described as follows: Project Manager

Deputy Manager of Construction Engineering Department

Construction area No. 1

Civil Construc -tion

Installation Construc -tion

Chief Engineer

Deputy Manager of Business

Technology Department

Business Department

Construction area No. ……

Construction area No.2

Civil Construc -tion

Installation

Civil Construc -tion

Construc -tion

Installation Construc -tion

Construction area No. N

Civil Construc -tion

Installation Construc -tion

FIG. 1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE MODEL FOR LARGE QUANTITY PROJECTS

Building Information Modeling BIM technology has become a conventional application technology[5]. Based on the BIM platform, participation professionals such as the civil, steel, walls, mechanical and electrical and other professional were integrated.

Moreover, the information of the construction process associated with the safety, cost, quality, schedule, contract, materials and other information were also integrated by the model carrier. BIM model can offer the data support on cost control and materials management, by which fine management will be implemented effectively and the project cost will be greatly reduced.

The Project Management Organizational Structure Based on BIM As we all know, with the start of project planning, implementation and other project process of the project, various information files for the project, reports, contracts, photographs, drawings, videos and so on will generate quickly and abundantly especially for the large quantity projects. The difficulty of processing information for all the departments will increase.

BIM Center, appears as a new functional department, can control the project with other departments simultaneously. Thus, BIM Center is introduced in the project organiztional structure model for the large

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quantity projects.

Applications Project Overview The first middle school in Suzhou, with a total construction area of approximately 120000m2, has 18 single buildings such as the teaching building, audio‐visual experiment center, chief logistics building, stadium general restaurant, student apartment and so on. The project also includes many professions such as civil engineering, steel, electricity, water, fire, HVAC, walls, decoration and so on. The teachers apartment is a short limb frame structure, and the rest is concrete frame structure. Since the school starts on Sept. 1, the contract period is only 365 calendar days. Completing all construction contents is very difficult.

Implementation Situation A BIM Center with 6 persons was established in this project. According to the construction site layout, engineering features and the comprehensive schedule of project, the entire construction plane was divided into three regions.

The construction method of sub‐monomer plane, three‐dimensional layered, water crossing, gradually advancing in due order were carried out in this project. The new organizational structure model based on BIM technology was proposed as follows: Project Manager

Deputy Manager of Construction Financial Department

Chief Engineer

Engineering Department

Technology Department

Construction area No. 1

Civil Construc -tion

BIM Center Director

Deputy Manager of Business

BIM Center

Business Department

Installation

Construc -tion

Construc -tion

Civil Construc -tion

Installation

Decoration

Construc -tion

Construc -tion

HSE Department

Administrative Department

Construction area No.3

Construction area No.2

Decoration

Deputy Management of Safety

Civil Construc -tion

Decoration

Installation

Construc -tion

Construc -tion

FIG. 2 THE REAL ORGANIZTIONAL STRUCTURE MODEL IN THE PROJECT

As can be seen from figure 2, BIM Center established the horizontal linkages between each various departments. In addition to the fact that the directors of various departments were in charge of the department correspondingly, the data of each functions department all came from the BIM Center. In a word, BIM Center co‐ordinated the project in data collection and shared with this new organization structure model. Moreover, the 3D models of the 18 single buildings were established, parts of 3D models were described as follows:

FIG. 3 THE SIMULATED 3D MODELS OF PROJECT (CIVIL ENGINEERING MODELS, GLODON)

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FIG. 4 THE SIMULATED 3D MODELS OF PROJECT (CIVIL ENGINEERING AND REBAR MODELS, GLODON)

Conclusions 1) Sub‐regional segmental construction is the conventional measure to solve the management and control of construction for large quantity projects. BIM technology provides a new way to solve this problem.

2) With the new organizational structure model established based on BIM technology, project functions can quickly and fully integrate the information and form the database, avoid or diminish the problem of information island.

3) Using the BIM technology, the project management and control of the first middle school were effective. It not only obtained the real quantities but also reduced many unnecessary collisions, which saved the project costs.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This research is supported by Technology Fund of Shanghai Shisanye Construction Company, the author thanks the project management team of the first middle school in Suzhou for their hospitability, time and opinions.

REFERENCES

[1]

Turner J. Rodney. The handbook of project‐based management(3rd edition)[M]. London: McGraw‐Hill, 2008.

[2]

Mark Winter, Charles Smith, Peter Morris, and et al. Directions for future research in project management: the main findings of a UK government‐funded research network[J]. International Journal of Project Management, 2006,24(8):638‐ 649.

[3]

Harold Kerzner. Project Management: a Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling[M]. John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey, 2009.

[4]

Chen Tianhua. Researchon Commercial Real Estate Project Management Mode of Organization Design[D]. Tsinghua University, 2014.

[5]

Wilson W.S., Heng Li. Building Information Modeling and Changing Construction Practices[J]. Automation in Construction, 2011,20(2): 99‐100.

Dr. Ning XU was born in Shandong province of China in 1980. He was graduated from Tongji University in 2011, and obtained the PH.D. degree on structural engineering simultaneously. He has been working at Shanghai Shisanye Construction Company after graduation as the chief engineer of Zhongnan branch. His research work contributes to the field of construction technology & management, information management.

20 research papers published in various journals, international and national conferences.

Dr. Ning XU is the member of the BIM professional committee in Construction Management Research Sector of the Architectural Society of China, and the member of Civil engineering branch of China Graphics Society.

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