Distinguishing complicated from complex for innovations in civil construction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46421/entac.v20i1.6354Keywords:
: Systems thinking, Organizational complexity, Lean constructionAbstract
Based on a literature review and drawing from the experience of lean implementation in multiple construction projects, this paper explores the notion that tackling differentiation and interdependecy problems is crucial for any production system seeking to develop competences against variations derived from both internal and external sources. A discussion using different systems thinking approaches is conducted to provide a better understanding of complexity and the volatile behaviour of project organizations. The aim is to encourage initiatives that address organizational differentitation and interdependency in construction projects and to highlight the important role of lean practices for this endeavour.
References
ASHKENAS, R. Simplicity-minded management. Harvard Business Review, 85(12): 101-109, 2007.
BACCARINI, D. The concept of project complexity – a review. International Journal of Project Management, Vol. 14, No. 4, pp.
-204, 1996.
VOORDIJK, H.; MEIJBOOM, B.; HAAN, J. (2006). Modularity in supply chains: a multiple case study in the construction industry.
International Journal of Operations and Production Management, Vol. 26 No. 6, pp. 600-618, 2006.
EROL, H.; IREM DIKMEN, I.; ATASOY, G.; BIRGONUL, M. T. Exploring the relationship between complexity and risk in
megaconstruction projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 146(12): 04020138, 2020.
SENESCU, R. R.; ARANDA-MENA, G.; HAYMAKER, J. R. Relationships between project complexity and communication. Journal of
Management in Engineering, 29(2): 183-197, 2013.
DAO, B.; KERMANSHACHI, S.; SHANE, J.; ANDERSON, S.; HARE, E. Exploring and assessing project complexity. Journal of
Construction Engineering and Management, 143(5): 04016126, 2017.
LUO, L.; HE, Q.; XIE, J.; YANG, D.; WU, Q. Investigating the relationship between project complexity and success in complex
construction projects. Journal of Management in Engineering, 33(2): 04016036, 2017.
LUO, L.; HE, Q.; JASELSKIS, E. J.; XIE, J. Construction project complexity: research trends and implications. Journal of Construction
Engineering and Management,143(7): 04017019, 2017.
GERALDI, J.; MAYLOR, H.; WILLIAMS, T. Now, let’s make it really complex (complicated) a systematic review of the complexities of
projects. International Journal of Operations and Production Management, Vol. 31 No. 9, pp. 966-990, 2011.
BALLARD, G.; KOSKELA, L.; HOWELL, G.; ZABELLE, T. Production system design in construction. The 9th International Group for
Lean Construction Conference, Proceedings... Singapore: National University of Singapore, 2001.
HOWELL, G.A. What is lean construction. The 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction,
Proceedings... Berkeley: University of California, 1999.
SNOWDEN, D. Uma nova forma de ser simples. Revista HSM Management 4(39): 98-106, 2003.
OTTOSSON, S.S.; BJÖRK, E. Research on dynamic systems - some considerations. Technovation, 24(11): 863-869, 2004.
GOLDOFF, A.C.; JAY, J. Symposium on chaos theory and management. 2003. Disponível em: http://www.pamij.com/goldoff.html.
Acesso em: 17 Dezembro 2004.
KOSKELA, L.; KAGIOGLOU, M. On the metaphysics of production. The 13th International Group for Lean Construction Conference,
Proceedings... Sidney, Australia, 2005.
KOSKELA, L. An exploration towards a production theory and its application to construction. 2000. 296 f. Tese (Doutorado) -
Espoo, Technical Research Centre of Finland, 2000.
MENDES JR., R.; HEINECK, L.F.M. Towards production control on multi-story building construction sites. The 7th International
Group for Lean Construction Conference, Proceedings... Berkeley: University of California, 1999.
BERTELSEN, S. Complexity - construction in a new perspective. The 11th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean
Construction, Proceedings... Blacksburg: Virginia Tech, 2003.
BERTELSEN, S.; KOSKELA, L. Avoiding and managing chaos in projects. The 11th Annual Conference of the International Group for
Lean Construction, Proceedings... Blacksburg: Virginia Tech, 2003.
GRANSBERG, D. D.; SHANE, J. S.; STRONG, K.; DEL PUERTO, C. L. Project Complexity Mapping in Five Dimensions for Complex
Transportation Projects. Journal of Management in Engineering, 29(4): 316-326, 2013.
GRÖBLER, A.; GRÜBNER, A.; MILLING, P.M. Organizational adaptation processes to external complexity. International Journal of
Operations and Production Management 26(3), 254-281, 2006.
LIU, A.M.M.; LEUNG, M.-y. Developing a soft value management model. International Journal of Project Management, 20(5):
-349, 2002.
WILLIAMS, T. Modelling complex projects. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2002.
SARGUT, G.; MCGRATH, R. G. Learning to live with complexity. Harvard Business Review, Summer 2012: 44-50, 2012.
KIRKWOOD, C.W. System dynamics methods: a quick introduction. 1998. Disponível em: http://www.public.asu.edu/~kirkwood/
sysdyn/SDIntro/SDIntro.htm. Acesso em: 18 Setembro 2005.
GOLDRATT, E.M. What Is This Thing Called Theory of Constraints and How Should It Be Implemented? New York, North River
Press, 1990.
BALLARD, G.; HOWELL, G.A. Lean project management. Building Research and Information, 31(2): 119-133, 2003.
CAMPAGNE, J.P.; JACOT, J.H.; FREIN, Y.; VITRY, G. A framework to specify a reactive and proactive management system. IEEE
Symposium on Emerging Technologies & Factory Automation, Proceedings... 1995.
CORRÊA, H.; SLACK, N. Flexibilidade estratégica na manufatura: incertezas e variabilidade de saída. 1994. Disponível em: http://
www.salaviva.com.br/livro/ppcp/arquivos/artigos/Flexibilidade%20estrategica%20na%20manufatura.pdf. Acesso em: 15
Dezembro 2004.
THOMAS, H.R.; NAPOLITAN, C.L. Quantitative effects of construction changes on labor productivity. Journal of Construction
Engineering and Management, 121(3): 290- 296, 1995.
VAN DER MERWE, A.A.P. Project management and business development: Integrating strategy, structure, processes and projects.
International Journal of Project Management, 20(5): 401-411, 2002.
BLACKSTONE, J.H. Theory of constraints - a status report. International Journal of Production Research, 39(6): 1053-1080, 2001.
MEIJER, B.B.R. To manage or not to manage complexity. IEEE International Engineering Management Conference. Proceedings...
LOVE, P.E.D.; HOLT, G.D.; SHEN, L.Y.; LI, H.; IRANI, Z. Using system dynamics to better understand change and rework in
construction project management systems. International Journal of Project Management, 20: 425-436, 2002.
WON, J.; COCHRAN, D.; JOHNSON, H.T.; BOUZEKOUK, S.; MASHA, B. Rationalizing the design of the Toyota Production System: a
comparison of two approaches. 2001. Disponível em: http://sysdesign.org/pdf/paper15.pdf. Acesso em: 15 Novembro 2006.
MAANI, K.; LI, A. Dynamics of managerial intervention in complex systems. 2004. Disponível em: http://www.systemdynamics.org/
conf2004/SDS_2004/PAPERS/. Acesso em: 24 Janeiro 2005.
POCOCK, J.B.; HYUN, C.T.; LIU, L.Y.; KIM, M.K. (1996). Relationship between project interaction and performance indicators. Journal
of Construction Engineering and Management, Vol. 122, No. 2, 165-176, 1996.
MEIJER, B.B.R. From reducing complexity to adaptive organizations. IEEE International Engineering Management Conference,
Proceedings... 2002.
ISATTO, E.L. Proposição de um modelo teórico-descritivo para a coordenação interorganizacional de cadeias de suprimentos
de empreendimentos de construção. 2005. 285 f. Tese (Doutorado) - Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,
MAWBY, D.; STUPPLES, D. Systems thinking for managing projects. IEEE International Engineering Management Conference,
Proceedings... 2002.
ZHU, J.; MOSTAFAVI, A. Discovering complexity and emergent properties in project systems: a new approach to understanding
project performance. International Journal of Project Management, 35, 1–12, 2017.
CHRISTIANSEN, T.; BERRY, W.L.; BRUUN, P.; WARD, P. A mapping of competitive priorities, manufacturing practices, and
operational performance in groups of Danish manufacturing companies. International Journal of Operations & Production
Management, 23 (10), 1163-1183, 2003.
