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Sustainable Construction Application Process

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Shashank Reddy
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20 views6 pages

Sustainable Construction Application Process

Uploaded by

Shashank Reddy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sustainable Construction Application process:

Each construction project exists within a context. Accordingly, there are wider contextual
factors that need to be understood, which can affect the uptake and application of SC at
project level. The focus of this section is on discussing the activities in relation to
implementing SC within construction project environments. The activities within the process
of SC application could be divided into four distinct phases. These are; (i) conceptual phase,
(ii) idea development/negotiation phase; (iii) construction phase and (iv) handover/ operation
phase. Firstly, the activities within each of these phases allocated varying levels of
responsibility to the different project parties in relation to addressing SC. Secondly, the four
phases are further characterised by specific outputs. Fulfilment of each of these outputs
signifies the end of each phase. In order to ensure the successful application of SC, these
outputs need to satisfy particular criteria. These outputs also act as linkages between phases.
For example, in order to reach the end of the first phase (i.e. the conceptual phase), agreement
must be reached within the client organisation in relation to the SC requirements for the
project. These requirements then need to be incorporated into the project brief, which in turn
is transformed into an output specification. The latter inter-links activities within this
conceptual phase to those of the next phase (i.e. the idea development/negotiation phase) by
providing potential bidders with insight into the client’s SC requirements.
The main factors influencing the application of SC at project level could be divided into two
main categories as; internal factors and external factors. Internal factors have been
categorised as ‘internal’, because they are within the control of project parties. Accordingly,
proper management interventions were identified as necessary throughout the application
process to control the negative effects and capitalise on the positive effects of these factors.
External factors, on the other hand, are outside the control of the project team members.
Example of an external factor was the local context of projects. This includes opportunities
and obstacles presented due to site conditions, local planning policies, as well as, socio-
economic situation of the locale. In looking at the inter-relationships between these internal
and external factors, the external factors had the ability to influence, not just the activities,
but also the internal factors within each phase of the application process. Although, the
external factors had the ability to influence the internal factors, the internal factors did not
have the ability to directly influence the external factors.
Fig no. Application of SC at project level.

The conceptual phase:


This is the first phase of the SC application process (see above Figure). The main focus of the
activities within this conceptual phase is to provide the basis for the uptake and application of
SC by laying out the client’s requirements. As noted by respondents from the design and
contractor organisations, client leadership is of paramount importance when it comes to
implementing SC within construction projects. Putting SC requirements at the top of the
client’s agenda at this stage is therefore necessary to bring in positive responses from the
contractors during the negotiation/idea development phase. Both the contractors and the
design team members acknowledged that clear indication of client demand was one of the
key drivers that encouraged them to put forward design solutions addressing a wider range of
SC objectives.
Fig no: Application of SC at construction project level - Phase 1: Conceptual phase

Negotiation/idea development phase:

The second stage of the application process is referred to as the negotiation/idea development
stage (refer to Figure). Accordingly, the activities within this phase fall into the following
three main categories; (i) selection of a project team that is facilitating or supportive towards
SC (ii) reaching agreement between project parties on the SC issues to be addressed and (ii)
agreeing upon the extent to which these SC issues will be addressed and setting performance
measurement targets. In order to ensure the success and satisfactory completion of this phase,
all three aforementioned categories of actions need to be fulfilled. Figure details the activities
and internal and external influence factors identified within this phase.
Fig no: application of SC at construction project level - Phase 2: Negotiation/Idea
development phase.
Construction phase:

The third phase of the SC application involves the physical construction phase (refer to
Figure). The activities within this phase are focused on the transformation of the concepts and
ideas on SC developed during the previous phases into their practical functions. The activities
within this phase results in the physically constructed facility ready to be handed over to the
clients/users upon the completion of the phase. Consequently, activities within this phase
involve the consideration of SC issues in relation to the construction site level activities and
are for the most part, led by the contractor organisation. Figure below details the activities
and internal and external influence factors identified within this phase. The physical
construction phase activities could be divided into three main categories; i.e. (i) activities in
relation to developing and implementing programmes and methodologies to address the SC
objectives, (ii) activities in relation to gaining commitment and involvement of other
stakeholders (e.g. suppliers, sub-contractors, local community) and (iii) activities in relation
to monitoring, reporting and improving performance levels in relation to addressing SC.
Consideration of SC during this phase is fairly well-developed and given a higher level of
focus compared to the other three phases of the application process. The activities within this
phase are also affected by a number of internal and external influence factors. Similar to the
previous phases, the exact nature and effect of these influence factors (i.e. whether the factors
acted as facilitator or impediment) were also found to be determined by the specific
contextual factors of each project.

Fig no: application of SC at construction project level - Phase 3: Physical construction phase.
Hand over/operation phase:
The fourth and final stage of the process is called the hand over/operational stage. These
activities and the internal and external influence factors affecting them are shown in Figure
The activities within this phase can be categorised into three main types. These are; (i)
activities in relation to providing training and improving engagement of building users to
ensure the sustainable operation of the facility, (ii) activities in relation to continuously
improving the sustainable performance levels of the completed facility and (iii) activities in
relation to dissemination of knowledge and experience gained in relation to SC application
process.

Fig no: Application of SC at construction project level - Phase 4: Hand over/operation


phase.

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