This is the first post-Egan book to look at benchmarking and KPIs (key performance indicators) in the construction industry. Benchmarking is one of the key management techniques the construction industry now needs to adopt if it is to meet challenging new efficiency and productivity targets as well as clients' demands for best value. Contracts are increasingly being awarded only to contractors who can demonstrate the lean construction practices that come with benchmarking. This authoritative and accessible book: * clarifies the thinking behind benchmarking and why firms must now adopt it *shows how to set up effective benchmarking *explains the theoretical background and offers clear, practical guidance *demonstrates best practice though reference to case studies. There are nine case studies describing the use of KPIs and the application of the EFQM excellence model - including contributions from Morrison and John Mowlem The author Steve McCabe is senior lecturer in the School of Property and Construction at the University of Central England in Birmingham. He has conducted extensive research in quality improvement techniques and benchmarking and has wide experience in industry with a number of contractors and within the local authority sector.

Value management (VM) is a structured, team-oriented approach to problem solving that can be applied to the concept, design, construction and on-going management phases of a project. The primary reasons for any client or consultant to commission a VM study is to achieve value improvements and/or monetary savings. The Research documentThis document presents the findings of the three year research programme that formed the basis for the Framework results. It compares and contrasts the various methodologies, tools, and techniques of VM.

This A to Z is the most up-to-date dictionary of building, surveying, and civil engineering terms and definitions available. Written by an experienced team of experts in the respective fields, it covers in over 7,500 entries the key areas of construction technology and practice, civil and construction engineering, construction management techniques and processes, and legal aspects such as contracts and procurement. Illustrations complement entries where necessary and other extra features include entry-level web links, which are listed and regularly updated on a companion website. Its wide coverage makes it the ideal reference for students of construction and related areas, as well as for professionals in the field.

Written by Dr. Robert Camp, universally regarded as the founding father of the benchmark process, this bestseller is quite simply the definitive reference on the topic. Camp guides readers through the historic ten-step benchmarking process that he developed while at Xerox. This process is credited with reviving that company when it was floundering in 1979. Camp presents other examples of the process, including its dramatic application to L.L. Bean. He uses these examples to show managers how to relate benchmarking to their own circumstances and then provides them with expert strategy and tips so that they can efficiently and easily launch their own quest for best performance.

In 1997, Congress, in the conference report, H.R. 105-271, to the FY1998 Energy and Water Development Appropriation Bill, directed the National Research Council (NRC) to carry out a series of assessments of project management at the Department of Energy (DOE). The final report in that series noted that DOE lacked an objective set of measures for assessing project management quality. The department set up a committee to develop performance measures and benchmarking procedures and asked the NRC for assistance in this effort. This report presents information and guidance for use as a first step toward development of a viable methodology to suit DOE's needs. It provides a number of possible performance measures, an analysis of the benchmarking process, and a description ways to implement the measures and benchmarking process.

by Bob Camp The business improvement topic and quality tool called benchmarking is becoming widely understood and broadly applied. There are now applica firms that tions in almost all segments of the economy including industrial either produce a product or a service, non-profit organizations such as healthcare, government and education. The approach is starting to spread around the globe with initiatives in Europe, Asia Pacific and South America. This is commendable and reassuring and must show that there is significant interest in the approach and that it works. What is missing, however, are books and reference material that are not solely prepared in the US where benchmarking started. Theses would include examples of applications relevant to the local area and industries. They would include references to articles written about benchmarking appearing in local publications. In this fashion those interested would have near hand case histories of the use of benchmarking and therefore become encouraged to use the technique. Zairi and Leonard have done the benchmarking community a real service by documenting the European view and application of benchmark ing to a wide range of examples. But they have not stopped there. Their text includes treatment of a number of related facets of benchmarking that makes this a fairly thorough text.

This guide presents a pragmatic model for setting up a world-class bench-marking process. It explains how to determine what products or processes to benchmark, form a team, identify partners, collect and analyze the information, and take action based on the results.

Benchmarking is potentially the most powerful weapon in the corporate armoury. It is the technique that enabled Cummins Engine Company to slash delivery time from eight months to eight weeks, Lucas to reduce the number of shopfloor grades at one of its sites from 17 to four, and British Rail to cut cleaning time for a 660-seat train to just eight minutes. In other companies, order processing time has been brought down from weeks to days, engineering drawings output doubled and inventory cut by two-thirds.

In order to make sound investment choices, investors must know the projected return on investment in relation to the risk of not being paid. Benchmarks are excellent evaluators, but the failure to choose the right investing performance benchmark often leads to bad decisions or inaction, which inevitably results in lost profits. The first book of its kind, Portfolio Performance Measurement and Benchmarking is a complete guide to benchmarks and performace evaluation using benchmarks. In one inclusive volume, readers get foundational coverage on benchmark construction, as well as expert insight into specific benchmarks for asset classes and investment styles. Starting with the basics—such as return calculations and methods of dealing with cash flows—this thorough book covers a wide variety of performance measurement methodologies and evaluation techniques before moving into more technical material that deconstructs both the creation of indexes and the components of a desirable benchmark. Portfolio Performance Measurement and Benchmarking provides detailed coverage of benchmarks for: U.S. equities Global and international equities Fixed income Real estate The team of renowned authors offers illuminating opinions on the philosophy and development of equity indexes, while highlighting numerous mechanical problems inherent in building benchmarks and the implications of each one. Before you make your next investment, be certain your return will be worth the risk with Portfolio Performance Measurement and Benchmarking.

Effective Management of Benchmarking Projects shows you how to apply benchmarking to a variety of projects. Effective Management of Benchmarking Projects equips the project team or manager with all the necessary competence for managing projects effectively. This practical book begins with definitions of 'what to benchmark' and ends with a stimulating real case study where a benchmarking project was conducted by observing all the necessary rules and with total adherence to the various protocols. This book deals with the application of benchmarking. It gives real examples of effective applications from such companies as: Rank Xerox, D2D, American Express, Rover, Texas Instruments.