Browsing by Author "Jergeas, George"
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- ItemOpen AccessA framework for team evaluation in a mega-project setting(2009) Farahmand, Haideh; Jergeas, George
- ItemOpen AccessA Model for Project Governance in Delivery of Oil and Gas Projects in Alberta(2015-05-12) Hussain, Tariq; Jergeas, George“Effective project governance, within corporate governance framework, has become a serious concern for organizations” (Crawford, Cooke-Davies, 2005). Findings of the research revealed various levels of understanding of project governance and a range of governance structures in practice within oil and gas owner organizations in Alberta. The new project governance model recommends oil and gas owners of Alberta reorganize their project governance structures, improve their policies and procedures, develop tools that support project governance, make it mandatory for project personnel to follow governance procedures, improve the governance role of Project Management Office (PMO), do audits for compliance, keep processes updated, and use lessons learned. The results of the focus group survey, conducted to validate the new governance model, revealed an overall agreement from industry professionals. The researcher concludes that the new governance model applied proficiently will help oil and gas owner organizations of Alberta improve governance and oversight.
- ItemOpen AccessA Theoretical Framework for Implementing Convertible Contracts in Oil and Gas Projects(2016) Moazzami Goudarzi, Mohammad; Ruwanpura, Janaka; Jergeas, George; Hettiaratchi, Patrick; Lozon, Jim; Gates, Ian; Al-Hussein, MohamedConventional forms of contract cannot address the dynamic and unpredictable environment of fast-track projects in the oil and gas industry. Using a single contract type such as cost reimbursable or lump sum for the whole project life cycle shifts the project risks to the owner or the contractor inequitably. Convertible contracts have been used in some oil and gas projects as an alternate contracting strategy to optimize risk taking/rewarding between contracting parties. Through this study, it was discovered that there is a significant gap in academic studies addressing the most challenging issues in managing convertible contracts. This identified gap led the researcher to design the research questions regarding the conversion time, estimation strategy, potential risks, and contractual relationships in convertible contracts. Accordingly, by addressing the research questions, this research aimed to develop a theoretical framework for implementing convertible contracts in oil and gas projects. Since the research questions were quite interpretive and investigative and the main objective of this study was to develop a theoretical framework, a grounded theory study was chosen as the main qualitative research design. Interview was the major instrument to collect the required data and information, and an in-depth review of documents was conducted. The collected data were analyzed through open coding, axial coding, selective coding, and theoretical integration to develop the main deliverable of the study, a theoretical framework, which consists of four main modules: conversion process, estimating strategy, potential risks, and collaborative strategy. To optimize the conversion process in convertible contracts, Module One provides important factors that influence deciding the conversion points, practical recommendations to enhance the conversion process, and possible conversion strategies in application of convertible contracts. Module Two presents an effective way to estimate a more accurate and reliable lump sum price at the time of conversion. The third module presents the potential risks in applying convertible contracts in oil and gas projects and appropriate strategies to mitigate the impact of cost risks in estimating the lump sum price. The fourth module proposes organizing a project collaboration centre with focus on critical activities/decisions before and after conversion.
- ItemOpen AccessAccuracy Assessment and Enhancement of TOF-based UWB RTLS and Improvement on Auto-positioning(2021-04-06) JIN, TIAN; Sadeghpour, Farnaz; Jergeas, George; Dann, Markus; O'Keefe, KyleStudies in the past decades have shown Real Time Location Systems (RTLS) have great potential in reducing possible injuries and enhancing productivity. Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), among all the RTLS, has demonstrated the best suitability for construction site conditions due to its higher accuracy, lower dependency on the Line-Of-Site, less signal attenuation and multipath effect. The objective of this study is to investigate and enhance the feasibility of a TOF-based UWB RTLS on construction site applications. The three subobjectives are:1.To assess the performance of the TOF-based UWB under LOS. 2.To develop a new auto-positioning approach: (1) with high accuracy; (2) without BLE or WLAN requirements; (3) without configuration angle and height requirements; (4) without complex input requirements; and (5) has the capability to compute 3D (X, Y, and Z) locations of the anchors. 3.To assess and enhance the accuracy of the TOF-based UWB RTLS under NLOS in construction sites.Through the feasibility assessments conducted in this study, the TOF-based UWB RTLS is verified with high reliability for the performance of the tags, high static and dynamic accuracy, low time latency, and low multiple tags effect. The proposed auto-positioning methodology improved the accuracy by more than 70% and overcame the application barriers of the inherent auto-positioning. The accuracy assessment under NLOS confirmed that large bias rather than noise is induced when multi-path effect exists. Moreover, the proposed residual analysis approach improved the location estimation accuracy by more than 60%.
- ItemOpen AccessAn artificial neural network approach to assess project cost and time risks at the front end of projects(1998) Liu, Xiaoying; Jergeas, George
- ItemOpen AccessAn Integrated Framework for Worker Planning and Supervision in Construction(2016) Siriwardana, Chandana Sameera Attygala; Ruwanpura, Janaka; Hewage, Kasun; Jergeas, George; Lozon, JamesConstruction is a highly labour-intensive industry; therefore, the planning of worker crews is vital to achieving quality, cost, schedule and productivity targets. However, current construction practices do not initiate worker planning during the early stages of construction, nor do they pay attention to the full life cycle of the project. These pitfalls lead to worker demotivation and performance and productivity losses. Comprehensive worker performance measurement evaluation criteria the Construction Worker Performance Index (CWPI) was developed. A pilot study was carried out to test the applicability and validity of the conceptual framework. After conducting an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis, relative weights for the technical skills assessment framework of Borcherding et al. (2001) were refined; and, the technical skills assessment framework was expanded by adding more sub-attributes to make it suitable for assessing construction workers of Alberta, Canada. The CWPI worker performance measurement formula was finalized using two rounds of surveys based on Delphi survey principles. A worker grading scheme was developed that classifies workers beyond current conventional worker planning, which is based only on skill levels. A cohesion measurement framework was developed based the guidelines provided Carron et al. (1985) and Widmeyer et al. (1985). By integrating different aspects related to worker planning, an overall worker planning framework was created to cover the full life cycle of a construction project. The applicability of the developed framework was field-tested on a construction site in Alberta, Canada. The CWPI and cohesion values of 114 construction workers were measured and documented. Nine construction worker crews (further divided in to twenty sub-groups) were observed, and the structures of the worker crews were studied. Characteristics of high and low performing worker crews were identified, and relationships between factors were investigated. Management level perspective about the developed framework was obtained through a survey conducted among 28 building industry practitioners. Relationships among the factors of the framework were investigated using a correlation analysis. A regression analysis was conducted to determine the causality between input factors and the cohesion level of worker crews. Finally, the limitations of the research were identified, and recommendations for future research were provided.
- ItemOpen AccessAnalysis of investment evaluation practices and decision-making process in the oil and gas industry(2011) Okeke, Theophilus Chukwudum; Jergeas, GeorgeThe fundamental focus of project management has been to deliver projects on time, on budget and meet specifications. However, many projects still fail to meet these targets and this trend has continued unabated despite concerted efforts from the government, private sectors and the academic communities. A significant amount of literature has focused on potential solutions, but many of the studies looked only at options for improving project execution practices, whereas in many cases the seeds of project failure may have been sown even before the project is officially approved for execution. Particularly, the failure of many investment decisions to return expected results, in the oil and gas industry has led to a growing interest over the past few years in understanding the influences and impacts on current investment evaluation practices and decision-making tools and processes, and their relationships with poor project performances. The objectives of this research therefore, were to examine the factors that influence investment evaluation practices and decision-making process in the oil and gas industry, and their subsequent impacts on intended decision outcomes and project participants as well. To achieve these objectives, the research used both survey questionnaire and case studies to examine the interactions, especially between management executives and project participants to determine those influences as well as their subsequent impacts on desired investment outcomes and project participants. The results of this research which were triangulated and validated, identified the key influences to range from lack of open and honest communication that degenerated to perceived lack of trust, transparency, clarity and focus, to poor implementation of good project management practices in terms of documentation, lessons learned, peer reviews, rewards and adequate risk identification and assessment. These findings were thoroughly analysed to recommend solutions to identified problems. Additionally, the research presented a framework that is entrenched in project management process and principles for improved investment evaluation practices and decision-making process in the oil and gas industry with more emphasis on better communication and good project management practices to ensure better project performances and motivated project participants.
- ItemOpen AccessAnalysis of Oil and Gas Projects-With Focus on SAGD Projects(2016) Kumar, Jatinder; Jergeas, George; Sadeghpour, Farnaz; Al-Hussein, Mohamed; Achari, Gopal; Ruwanpura, Janaka; Balakrishnan, JaydeepAlberta projects have experienced cost growth, schedule growth and low productivity, necessitating a need to measure and compare project performance and productivity of oil and gas projects. There is limited research on the project performance of Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) projects. The primary purpose of this research was to quantitatively assess the project performance of oil and gas projects in Alberta with special focus on SAGD projects. The quantitative assessments included the project performance and productivity analysis for location of projects (Alberta and U.S. projects), different time periods (Phase 1: 2006-2009 vs. Phase 2: 2010-2014), and different types of projects (pipeline and SAGD projects), and examination of the relationship between project execution strategies and project performance. SAGD projects were analyzed separately, and industry experts were interviewed to understand industry perspective on cost and schedule performance, risks and lessons learned on SAGD projects. During the research, 73 oil and gas projects from Alberta were analyzed. Data were collected using the Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA)-PAS. Statistical tools were used to analyze project performance and to assess the impact of project execution strategies on project performance. Different trends have been observed between Phase 1: 2006-2009 and Phase 2: 2010-2014. The comparison of project performance and productivity directed industry to where efforts could be made for continuous improvement. Data from 18 SAGD projects were analyzed to develop characteristics of SAGD projects. The project performance, which includes growth factors, phase duration factors, phase cost factors, equipment ratios, and engineering and construction productivity metrics that could have practical applications for estimating and project performance benchmarking is listed in tabular form. Interviews from industry experts provided definition of capacity, 52 new metrics, and a list of major risks and lessons learned during the SAGD project execution. This research improved the industry understanding of challenges and risks faced on SAGD projects. This research also observed the trends and comparison of project performance, engineering and construction productivity, which identified the areas for continuous improvement. This also concludes that there is room for further improvement in project and productivity performance for oil and gas projects in Alberta.
- ItemOpen AccessBuilding collaborating team trust(2000) Herzog, Valerie Lynne; Jergeas, George
- ItemOpen AccessComparative analysis of expected and actual performance of public design-build projects(2005) Fahmy, Sami W.; Jergeas, George
- ItemOpen AccessDeveloping an Interface Management (IM) Model for Construction Projects(2015-06-01) Weshah, Nesreen; Cowe Falls, Lynne; Jergeas, GeorgeInterface management (IM) is a main factor in the success of construction projects. Although there is no agreement about the definition of interfaces and IM, many researchers discuss the boundary conditions between tools, phases, systems, physical elements/components, people, organizations, and other elements. For the last two to, three decades there has been less than necessary awareness of the essentials of IM and the severity of interface problems, and this has negatively affected project performance. Failure to properly manage interfaces impacts project performance as defined by scope control, quality, schedule, cost, safety, and resources. The objectives of this study are twofold: (a) enhancing the IM among different project participants involved in the construction projects and (b) increasing the effectiveness of IM throughout the project lifecycle, focusing specifically on the engineering/design phase. The study uses both qualitative and quantitative approaches (mixed methods) to investigate, identify, and classify interface problem factors in construction projects. This study is divided into three phases. The first phase categorizes IM factors contributing to interface conflicts among different project participants engaged in construction projects. The second phase then makes use of these variables to develop a multiple-regression analysis to develop models between underlying interface problem factors and project performance indicators. Finally, based on the results of the first and the second phases, the third phase consists of developing a conceptual framework (RIBA framework) and use case models to study the IM relationships among owner, contractor, and designer to identify the main responsibilities for each one, highlight the critical IM areas, and consequently provide suggestions for improving and enhancing IM. The results of this research study could assist engineers, architects, and others within the construction industry to study and examine the interfaces and the project performance during the project’s early stages. This could in turn serve to minimize project delay and cost overruns and reduce conflict among different project participants involved in the construction projects, which will influence project performance positively.
- ItemOpen AccessDeveloping Benchmarking Metrics for Pipeline Projects in Alberta(2013-04-22) Moradi, Hamed; Jergeas, GeorgeThe high level of construction activity in the Alberta pipeline projects leads to significant concerns about cost, schedule, safety, engineering productivity, and construction productivity in regards to pipeline operations and activities. Moreover, the growth of industry in Canada and specifically in Alberta means that more products are being processed today than ever before. Those products must be transmitted effectively to the desired area. However, pipeline projects, due to their characteristics and nature, are categorized differently than heavy industrial projects. These characteristics include the length of the pipes in addition to the vast area they cover and also different regulatory processes that pipeline projects follow in order to obtain necessary construction permits. These characteristics are different than other typical industrial projects. Comparatively, the time and work required through the front end-planning phase of pipeline projects sharply increase due to this fact that pipelines vary in lengths and the products they carried inside. Pipelines need a huge amount of study and design prior to the detailed engineering and construction phases. Moreover, the sensitivity of these projects requires special consideration. Several pipeline projects have been either delayed or stopped due to environmental impact concerns, hazardous risks, and public resistance. These specific characteristics, impact factors, and environmental risks create a pressing need for benchmarking of these projects. Benchmarking is a reliable comparison tool used to compare one project's data against other companies’ and operators’ data in the industry. A benchmarking system has been developed over the past several years as a collaboration work between COAA (Construction Owners Association of Alberta) and CII (Construction Industry Institute) to assess the performance of Alberta pipeline projects. An analysis of a research’s results indicated areas for enhancements. The purpose of the current research project is to expand and extend the previous benchmarking system, focusing on activities and methods utilized by engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) owners and contractors to design and build the pipeline projects. The results of previous Alberta pipeline projects report indicate that specific metrics for pipeline projects need to be better defined and developed in order to build a new, valuable performance assessment system. These new metrics and performance assessment techniques will span the project life cycle from front end planning and detailed engineering through construction, commissioning, and start-up. The current areas for heavy industrial metrics, such as cost, schedule, safety, rework, and productivity will be the focus in developing these new metrics for pipeline projects. This research project contains an extensive literature review of pipeline construction specifically in Alberta in addition to the history and current practices of benchmarking. The data collection phase of the research includes two sets of interview and survey conducted among pipeline industry experts. Finally, conclusions and recommendations achieved from the analyses of gathered information are presented.
- ItemOpen AccessDevelopment of an Automated Monitoring and Control System for Construction Projects(2017) Maalek, Reza; Ruwanpura, Janaka; Lichti, Derek; El-Sheimy, Naser; Jergeas, George; Fapojuwo, Abraham; Jaselskis, EdwardConstruction project progress monitoring and structural dimensional compliance control are essential for decision makers to identify discrepancies between the planned and the as-built states of a project, and take timely measures where required. In practice, monitoring is performed manually, a time consuming, error-prone and labour intensive task, particularly in large scale projects. Thus, large projects are monitored unsystematically by collecting limited onsite data, restricting the project management team to identify delays, and rework on time. The correct determination of the project’s performance also relies heavily on the correctness and completeness of the collected data during the monitoring process. Hence, site supervisory personnel spend considerable time just to manually control the quality of the manually collected onsite data. Several research studies have aimed to use remote sensing technologies such as LiDAR and cameras to acquire 3D point clouds of building elements to improve the quality of the collected data; however, these studies assume the planned BIM as a priori knowledge to assign the point clouds to their corresponding structural element, which provide inaccurate basis for reporting the as-built status of a project, especially when the planned and the actual differ or the planned model is not available with sufficient detail. Here, using the most up-to-date pattern recognition, robust statistical analysis and mathematical modelling techniques, a new robust approach was formulated, independent from a pre-existing planned model, to automatically generate the as-built model of common structural elements with predominantly planar and linear surfaces directly from the acquired point cloud. In the context of four experiments, ten sets of point clouds, nine from actual construction sites, were collected to express, verify and validate the diverse applicability of the proposed system for automated progress monitoring, structural displacement analysis, and dimensional conformation control. It was demonstrated that the novel robust planar and linear point cloud classification and segmentation method, presented here, achieved an overall accuracy of better than 90.4% for all datasets, indicating its generic applicability for construction projects. It was also shown that the proposed system is capable of automatically generating as-built models of common structural elements with the 3-5mm desired construction grade accuracy.
- ItemOpen AccessDevelopment of decision support system (DDS) simulation tool for risk assessment(2004) Moussa, Mohamed Abd El-Fattah Mohamed; Jergeas, George; Ruwanpura, Janaka
- ItemOpen AccessEffective project management of oil and gas projects: a model for oil sands' sagd plants(2010) Halari, Alnoor Akberali; Jergeas, George
- ItemOpen AccessEvaluating value improving practices for large scale projects(2008) Lozon, James Peter; Jergeas, George
- ItemOpen AccessExecutive level capital project decision making: rational or rationale?(2012) Chenger, Denise T.; Jergeas, GeorgeThe Project Management Institute estimates the current annual global investment in all capital projects and infrastructure is $12 trillion US, yet we have very little information on how and who initiated these investment decisions. Further, despite the creation of numerous programs and processes aimed at improving project success, completing projects on time and within budget still seems to elude project participants. Interviews were conducted with 21 executives in the upstream oil and gas industry to provide insight into how high profile capital project decisions were made. While capital projects were thought to be initiated by managers and follow a stage-gate process or are an output of the strategic planning process, a key finding is that these major projects were independently and intuitively conceived either by the CEO alone or by the CEO and other executives or board members. Four decision-making paths were modelled based on the type of opportunity: planned, opportunistic, combined, and one followed a rational decision-making process. Formal risk processes were not used in the decision-making process, nor were other resources such as consultants. These findings have implications for existing project management practices, including aligning risk perspectives and how risk is managed, the role of a stage-gate model, how projects are conceived and moved into the planning phase, and how projects are communicated within the executive team and organization. The findings also raise questions regarding broader external implications. If major decisions are made independently by CEOs, how are companies ensuring our corporate leaders are trained to make good decisions, as major projects not only impact the organization but also affect the communities in which the company operates? This research provides some valuable insight into how executives perceive risk, equity markets, organizational readiness, project opportunities, and their perceived role in projects. This helps to prepare the expectations of project managers and others in organizations who are craving for more face time and insight into the strategic process as well as project planning and execution.
- ItemOpen AccessHow to Overcome the Challenges in In-situ Decommissioning of the Above Ground Tailings Management Facility?(2016) Madhavan, Dayal; Ruwanpura, Janaka; Achari, Gopal; Jergeas, GeorgeThis thesis focused on the challenges related to the in-situ decommissioning of the above ground tailings management facility (AGTMF) at Cameco’s Key Lake Uranium Milling and Mining Operations. The uranium tailings stored in the AGTMF from 1983 to 1998 could adversely affect the regional biota and public health as the tailings. Significant uncertainties also exist in regards to the ultimate long-term storage of uranium mine tailings as the timescales involved are relatively long (e.g. 10, 000 years modeling required). This study has explored the processes, challenges and lessons learned in the in-situ decommissioning and the methods on how to overcome the challenges related to decommissioning the AGTMF. The stored tailings are key areas of liability and this thesis has endeavored to overcome the challenges by gaining insights from decommissioning activities within uranium industry globally to achieve a safe, cost effective, and environmentally sustainable decommissioning process for the AGTMF.
- ItemOpen AccessHybrid Simulation Environment for Construction Projects: Identification of System Design Criteria(2014-06-29) Moussa, Mohamed; Ruwanpura, Janaka Y.; Jergeas, George; Mohamed, TamerLarge construction projects are complex, dynamic, and unpredictable. They are subject to external and uncontrollable events that affect their schedule and financial outcomes. Project managers take decisions along the lifecycle of the projects to align with projects objectives. These decisions are data dependent where data change over time. Simulation-based modeling and experimentation of such dynamic environment are a challenge. Modeling of large projects or multiprojects is difficult and impractical for standalone computers. This paper presents the criteria required in a simulation environment suitable for modeling large and complex systems such as construction projects to support their lifecycle management. Also presented is a platform that encompasses the identified criteria. The objective of the platform is to facilitate and simplify the simulation and modeling process and enable the inclusion of complexity in simulation models.
- ItemOpen AccessIndustry Perceptions of Lump Sum Contracting is Alberta Oil and Gas Projects(2014-10-07) O'Toole, Jacqueline; Sadeghpour, Farnaz; Jergeas, GeorgeAlberta oil and gas mega projects are experiencing cost overruns of up to 100 percent. Large cost overruns have created an interest in shifting to lump sum contracting. The objective of this study is to investigate the possibility of using lump sum contracting to replace the cost reimbursable contracting currently used on oil and gas projects in Alberta, through identifying industry perceptions of, and the risks associated with this contract shift. Two extensive surveys were conducted with experienced industry professionals. Collected data was statistically analyzed to form a set of conclusions and recommendations. The study provides an understanding of current contracting trends in the Alberta oil and gas industry, and found that there is interest in using lump sum contracts. The perceived risks to lump sum project performance, and proposed mitigations were identified. The study also identified areas where the perceptions of Operating, Engineering, and Construction companies were not aligned and determined that industry practitioners believe that, locally, there is a lack of experience and competency around the management of lump sum projects.
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