on disruption and delay

Dealing with delay and disruption is a complex undertaking, made even more daunting by a long list of urban myths and obsolete assumptions. This set of articles is our attempt at explaining some of the intricacies involved in assessing delay and disruption on construction projects, and in using System Dynamics to do so. This is not intended to be a closed list: it will continue to grow, and we welcome your input. If you have any topics about which you would like to learn more, or if you have any feedback on any of our existing articles, please do not hesitate to let us know at: info@constructiondynamics.global
Does the world truly need another series of articles on disruption and delay? Yes, because a dynamic perspective will deliver key new insights!
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It is well known that, in construction, disruption and delay can have many causes, and they can also impact the project in many different ways - as a result, the linear concept of the "chain of causation" needs to be replaced by that of a "net of causation". However, using this concept in actual analyses is easier said than done...
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What are the mechanisms that drive disruption on construction and engineering projects? Why does disruption just keep going? What are the different ways in which it can impact a project?
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What is so frightening about disruption that construction contracts barely mention the term? Indeed, it is a tricky and elusive animal…
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Why do we need analyses to prove disruption? Why is project data not enough? What requirements do the methods we use need to fulfil, to be able to prove our case? Meet the “Triad of Proof”!
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Ever wondered how System Dynamics is used to assess disruption and delay on complex construction and engineering projects? Here’s your chance to find out!
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Yes, large construction and engineering projects are complicated… but why is computer simulation the only way to realistically assess disruption (and often, also delay)? And, since we are on the topic: How does simulation actually work?
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People are often still concerned about how an SD-based claim would be perceived by others – especially when this involves arbitration or litigation. We look at what these concerns are, and what SD does to overcome them.
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The Measured Mile may well be the most widely accepted disruption assessment method out there today… but on complex, heavily disrupted projects, the advantages of System Dynamics are becoming harder and harder to ignore.
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A lot of decision models are used in project management: Critical Path, Building Information Modelling, Measured Mile, System Dynamics… Let us take a step back and ask ourselves: Are they good models? What actually makes for a good model?
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On highly disrupted projects, much of their delay can be caused by disruption. Only System Dynamics can jointly assess disruption and delay.
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When delayed payments by employers affect the contractors' ability to fund the works, projects can be severely disrupted and delayed.
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System Dynamics has been successfully used to assess disruption and delay on complex construction and engineering projects for nearly fifty years - by helping to minimise cost and schedule risk, and by providing expert evidence in disputes.
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