Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Cotem 6042 Assignments 3
Cotem 6042 Assignments 3
Cotem 6042 Assignments 3
Group 3
Contents
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Supply Chain and Supply Chain Management in Construction .................................... 5
3. The Application/Implementation of Supply Chain Management (SCM) in
Construction Projects ................................................................................................................................. 7
I. Advantages of Supply Chain Management ............................................................................ 12
1. Introduction
The construction industry is a complex and dynamic industry that involves many
stakeholders, including clients, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and regulators.
Constructions are usually made to meet the requirements of a given customer.
Three separate groups of parties are involved in the construction process: the Client/
Owner, the Engineer/Designer and the Contractor. The Client is the initiator of the
construction process. The designer design a project and plans the main works. The
Contractor performs the whole construction works.
The work system in the construction industry is based on projects. Each project employs
from several to several hundred sub-contractors who have specific objectives.
Project management is temporary but exposed to constant pressure from time and cost
constraints, enormous competition during tenders and investor pressure to select the
cheapest bidders/subcontractors.
Organizations from the construction industry employ from several dozen to several
thousand employees. Large construction companies are divided into divisions, within
which individual projects are implemented, which are led by managers.
A project manager is responsible for the organization of the entire construction process,
including the delivery of materials and equipment, and after completion of construction,
for the procedure of handing over the facility to the user.
Recently most construction companies have begun to see supply chain management as a
new way of doing business. They adapted the supply chain concept to their needs and
defined it in many different ways. Implementation of supply chain management approach
was the consequence of various changes, especially in construction environments
The success of a construction project relies heavily on effective supply chain management,
which involves the coordination and integration of all stakeholders in the supply chain and
also it is the ways that the firms used to raise the cooperation between stakeholders in the
chain and link the key construction business processes.
Links in this chain are suppliers and recipients of raw materials, materials, machinery and
equipment, people (employees), money and technical documentation, as well as a variety
of information and intangible assets that are necessary for the execution of projects and
construction works.
According to Cox and Thompson 1998, “the construction industry consists of three distinct
but interdependent supply chains, namely: building and assembling; professional services;
and materials supply.”
One of the most significant challenges faced by the construction industry is managing the
complex supply chain that is involved in the construction process. It encompasses
everything from the procurement of raw materials to the delivery of finished products. The
construction industry is known for having a highly fragmented supply chain with many
different stakeholders and suppliers.
This can lead to a lack of visibility and control over the supply chain, which can result in
inefficiencies, delays, and higher costs. To address this challenge, construction
companies can use technology-enabled SCM systems to manage their suppliers and
subcontractors more effectively.
These systems can help automate procurement processes, provide real-time visibility into
the supply chain, and improve collaboration between different stakeholders.
Effective supply chain management in construction projects can help to improve project
performance, reduce costs and delays, and enhance customer satisfaction, enhance
competitive advantage and satisfy the client requirements at the lowest cost and it involves
the integration and coordination of all the activities that are involved in the construction
process.
One key aspect of supply chain management in construction projects is the need for
effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders. This requires a high
degree of transparency, with all parties sharing information and working together to
optimize the supply chain. This can be challenging in the construction industry, where there
are often many different stakeholders with competing interests and priorities.
Additionally, companies are exploring new partnerships and collaborations with suppliers
to improve the flow of materials and resources.
In conclusion, effective supply chain management is essential for the success of any
construction project. By optimizing the flow of materials and resources, construction
companies can minimize waste, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.
Some definitions have been proposed concerning the concept of the supply chain and its
management. Supply chain is an activities network of involved companies client/ owner,
designer, consultant, the prime contractor, subcontractor, and supplier) to create and put
a completed building to use.
And it includes all activities associated with transforming goods from raw material stage
to acceptance of product or service by a client.
According to Christopher (1992) the supply chain is “the network of organizations that are
involved, through upstream and downstream linkages, in the different processes and
activities that produce value in the form of products and services in the hands of the
ultimate customer.”
According to (Cox and Thompson 1998), “The supply chain in construction industry can be
considered as a process of series of activities that transforming raw materials into finished
products (e.g. roads or buildings) and services (e.g. design or budget) for use of a client
irrespective of organization boundaries.”
And also Supply Chain Management (SCM) in construction is the ways that the firms used
to raise the cooperation between stakeholders in the chain and link the key construction
business processes. Its purposes are to improve construction productivity, enhance
competitive advantage and satisfy the client requirements at the lowest cost.
The aim of supply chain management is to ensure that the right materials, equipment, and
services are delivered to the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost.
Effective supply chain management can help to improve project performance, reduce costs
and delays, and enhance customer satisfaction.
In the construction industry, SCM can be applied to the procurement, delivery, and
installation of materials and equipment, as well as the management of subcontractors and
other resources.
The goal of SCM in construction is to ensure that the right materials are available at the
right time and place, at the right cost. SCM can also help to improve the quality of
construction projects, reduce waste, and improve safety.
In a construction project, a delay in the supply of materials may cause a domino effect in
the form of a delayed work, which in turn may lead to a delay in the completion of the
entire investment. A similar effect may be caused by delays on the part of subcontractors.
According to Titus and Bröchner, the supply chain in the construction industry deals with
the management of materials, but also with the relationship between contractors, suppliers
and distributors.
But the general contractor, who is the main project coordinator, has a strategic position to
manage all project participants and resources in the supply chains.
Implementation of the project on time, within the set budget and with a certain quality
level, means that it must adequately manage delays or disruptions in the flow of the supply
chain during construction.
As we know that the construction industry is complex and fragmented, with numerous
stakeholders involved in the supply chain, including designers, contractors, and
subcontractors, suppliers, and logistics providers.
Effective Supply Chain management (SCM) involves managing these activities and
stakeholders to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the
required quality because Supply Chain management (SCM) refers to the whole project.
The links in this chain are the suppliers and recipients of raw materials, materials, machines
and equipment, people (workers), money and technical documentation, as well as many
different information and intangible assets that are necessary for the execution of works
and structures.
Well planned and developed logistics concepts and logistics management solutions
provide the opportunity for efficient project execution and cost reduction related to
logistics as well as total project cost.
An important element in increasing the efficiency of the project is the proper coordination
of the logistics processes of all its stakeholders at every stage of the investment cycle.
According to Roth and Martin, (2000), the application of the SCM, mainly in the
construction industry, has been successful and has achieved the expected benefits.
Benefits of effective supply chain management Overall, effective supply chain management
can provide a number of benefits for construction projects, including reduced costs,
improved quality, increased productivity, and improved customer satisfaction.
Effective supply chain management can provide several benefits for construction
projects, including:
Reduced costs: SCM can help to reduce costs by optimizing the use of resources.
This can be done by reducing waste, improving inventory management, and
negotiating better prices with suppliers.
Effective supply chain management can help to reduce costs in a number of ways,
including:
Improved quality: SCM can help to improve quality by ensuring that the right
materials are delivered to the right place at the right time. This can help to reduce
defects and improve the overall quality of the project.
The following are some of the key steps involved in implementing SCM in
construction projects:
1. Define the scope of the project: The first step is to define the scope of the
project. This includes identifying the materials, equipment, and subcontractors
that will be required.
2. Develop a supply chain plan: Once the scope of the project has been defined,
the next step is to develop a supply chain plan. This plan should include a timeline
for procurement, delivery, and installation of materials and equipment.
3. Identify and select suppliers: The next step is to identify and select suppliers.
This should be done based on factors such as price, quality, and delivery time.
7. Define your goals: What do you hope to achieve by implementing SCM? Some
common goals include:
Reducing costs
Improving efficiency
Improving quality
Reducing waste
Improving communication
Improving collaboration.
8. Get buy-in from all stakeholders: SCM is a team effort, so it's important to get
buy-in from everyone involved in the project. This includes the owner, the
contractor, the subcontractors, the suppliers, and any other stakeholders.
9. Understand your supply chain: What are the different steps involved in getting
materials from suppliers to the construction site? Who are the key players in your
supply chain? Once you understand your supply chain, you can start to identify
areas where improvements can be made.
10. Develop a plan: Once you know your goals and understand your supply chain,
you can start to develop a plan for implementing SCM. Your plan should include
the following:
A timeline for implementation
A budget
A list of tasks that need to be completed
A list of resources that will be needed
11. Implement your plan. Once you have a plan, it's time to start implementing it.
This will involve making changes to the way you do things, so it's important to be
patient and persistent.
12. Measure your results. It's important to measure your results so you can see how
your implementation of SCM is going. This will help you identify areas where
improvements can be made.
13. Make adjustments as needed. As you implement SCM, you may need to make
adjustments to your plan. This is perfectly normal. The important thing is to be
flexible and adaptable.
Here are some additional tips for implementing SCM in construction projects:
Use technology to your advantage. There are a number of software programs and other
technologies that can help you to manage your supply chain more effectively.
Get everyone on board. SCM is a team effort. It is important to get everyone involved
in the project, from the project manager to the suppliers, on board with the SCM plan.
Measure your results. It is important to track the results of your SCM efforts so that you
can see what is working and what is not. This will help you to improve your SCM plan
over time.
Although the construction process is different, SCM can be useful and effective in
construction [O’Brien, (1999)].
According to several authors [Vrijhoef and Koskela, (1999), Vrijhoef, (1998), O’Brien, (1999),
Ofori, (2000)], the construction supply chain is affected by many problems.
Most of these problems are not generated in the conversion process but in the different
interfaces that exist within the supply chain. Some of the general problems are as follows:
In addition, the construction supply chain management used data and transactions as a
resource tool to help eliminate unnecessary labor division, decrease costs, improve
dependability and speed up facility building (Cheng et al., 2010; O'Brien et al., 2008).
The construction supply chain management also aids in the creation of an enabling work
environment that improves collaboration, coordination, commitment and cohesion among
all construction stakeholders (Meng, 2010).
The following are some of the general concerns with SCM (Akintoye et al., 2000; Vrijhoef
et al., 2001; Dianty et al., 2001):
Construction supply chains (CSC) can be very complex particularly in large projects. This
complexity, one of the main characteristics, can be attributed to the variety of site materials
and parties (suppliers and sub-contractors) required for a construction project. The project
can become more complex as more people get involved.
Moreover, there is a correlation between the increase of the scope of the project and the
complexity of the supply chain as more manpower, parties and materials are necessary for
the completion of the project. This requires a great deal of planning, organizing and
collaboration between supply chain partners which may cause the complexity.
Fragmented supply chain: This characteristic is the main feature within this industry.
Construction contractors, suppliers and other participants are active in different stages and
the distribution of responsibility and authority changes during the project.
As a consequence, the CSC is converging in nature unlike the manufacturing supply chain,
which is most likely to be diverging.
Make to order supply chain: Clients drive the creation of construction projects. This can
be the result of the end user‘s tradition to take the initiative and start a construction
project. Therefore, end user becomes involved in the whole production process.
Temporary supply chain: For any construction project, on completion, all participants and
companies involved are normally dismissed and this can be traced to the project based
nature of construction.
Consequently, all participants in the project must finish their roles and duties. This short-
term partnership with different members may cause problems and fluctuations in
performance and productivity.
There are several key components of supply chain management in construction projects,
including procurement, logistics, inventory management, and quality control.
Each of these components plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth flow of materials,
equipment, and services throughout the supply chain.
Procurement
It involves the selection and management of suppliers who provide materials,
equipment, and services for the construction project. The procurement process
includes identifying the requirements, selecting the suppliers, negotiating the terms
and conditions, and monitoring the performance of the suppliers. Effective
procurement can help to ensure that the right materials, equipment, and services
are delivered to the construction site on time and at the right cost.
Logistics
It involves the transportation and storage of materials, equipment, and services
throughout the supply chain. Effective logistics can help to ensure that the materials,
equipment, and services are delivered to the construction site on time and in the
right quantity. Logistics also involves the management of inventory, which includes
the tracking and monitoring of the materials, equipment, and services throughout
the supply chain.
Inventory management
Inventory management involves the tracking and monitoring of the materials,
equipment, and services throughout the supply chain.
Effective inventory management can help to ensure that the materials, equipment,
and services are available when needed and in the right quantity.
The following are some specific examples of How Supply Chain Management can
be Improved in the Future:
The use of big data to track and analyze supply chain data can help to identify
inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
The use of predictive analytics can help to forecast demand and ensure that the
right number of materials is available at the right time.
The use of block chain technology can help to create a more secure and
transparent supply chain.
The use of drones and other autonomous vehicles can help to improve efficiency
and reduce costs.
By taking these steps, the construction industry can improve supply chain
management and achieve its goals of efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.
The construction industry is continuously evolving, and supply chain management
practices need to adapt to keep up with the changes.
Some of the future directions for supply chain management in construction projects
include:
Integration of technology
Technology can play a critical role in improving supply chain management in construction
projects. Technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID), and Global Positioning System (GPS) can help to improve the tracking
and monitoring of materials, equipment, and services throughout the supply chain.
Sustainability
Collaboration
Collaboration between stakeholders in the supply chain is critical for effective supply
chain management. Collaboration can help to improve communication, reduce conflicts,
and promote innovation.
6. Conclusion
The CSC consists of many groups, although the material and the construction chains are
the largest. Integrating the construction and material chains helps in establishing more
collaboration, smoother information flow and more efficient information sharing through
the construction chain which assists the decision making process.
SCM in the construction industry encounters many challenges linked to poor logistics
planning, lack of partnerships and strategic alliances with suppliers, resistance to change
and communication problems. In order to establish an efficient integrated supply chain,
clients, suppliers, contractors and other parties in the supply chain need to establish long
term partnerships, form transparent communication channels and benefit from each
other‘s experience for the greater good.
There are a number of factors that must be considered when implementing SCM in the
construction industry. These include the unique nature of construction projects, the need
for collaboration between multiple stakeholders, and the use of technology to improve
communication and coordination.
Despite the challenges, the benefits of SCM can be significant. By implementing SCM,
construction companies can improve their bottom line, reduce risk, and deliver projects on
time and within budget.
Effective supply chain management can help to improve project performance, reduce costs
and delays, and enhance customer satisfaction. Procurement, logistics, inventory
management, and quality control are all key components of supply chain management in
construction projects.
7. References
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practices in construction industry.
International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 8(3), Chan, A. P., Scott, D., & Chan,
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Iyer, K. C., & Jha, K. N. (2005). Supply chain management in construction. CRC press.
Li, H., & Love, P. E. (2000).
Zou, P. X., Zhang, G., & Wang, J. (2010). A comparative study of critical success factors for
agile manufacturing and construction supply chain management.
"Key Performance Indicators for Measuring Construction Success" by Albert P.C. Chan
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