Major Thrust Areas of Center for Construction Industry Studies (CCIS)
Project Execution Processes Thrust
Many project work processes are highly dynamic and must be responsive to the needs of projects. This thrust encompasses an investigation to look at the changing nature of owner’s outsourcing of project-specific services and the implications of these changes on the industry. It also focuses on best management practice evaluation and development during all phases of the project life cycle. Completed studies within this research include value management practices, pre-project planning, constructability, planning for startup, owner/contractor work structures, benchmarking and metrics, and risk management for international projects. Faculties involved in this thrust come from engineering, business, and the social sciences.
Economic, Finance, and Dispute Resolution Thrust
This new research thrust will encompass a wide variety of economic, financial, and dispute resolution issues of concern to the facilities engineering/ construction industry. Subjects for study may include industry economic drivers, innovative project financing, project accounting, sureties and bonding, project insurance, claims avoidance, and alternative dispute resolution. Beyond the College of Engineering, faculty involved in these studies will be drawn from the McCombs School of Business, the UT Law School, the Department of Economics, and other University Departments.
Construction Work Force Thrust
It is widely recognized that a highly-skilled construction work force is vital to the success of the industry. Work Force shortages, both in terms of skills and numbers, have been projected as one of the industry’s major challenges for both the short term and long term future. A study principally focused on critical work force issues, including multi-skilling utilization and productivity. A Two-Tier Work Force Initiative has been formulated by CCIS to address the challenge. The initiative involves numerous graduate students, faculty and industry partners.
Technology Thrust
Technology is recognized as having a major potential impact on the construction industry. The CCIS Technology thrust includes such areas as fully integrated and automated project possesses (FIAPP), modularization and pre-assembly, construction methods, building environmental systems, indoor air quality and construction automation. The technology thrust looks at the impact of new technology on the productivity of the workforce and its affect on productivity of construction/design. A broad range of funding sources supports this thrust.
