The Construction Industry carries out the work that is the backbone of every civilized society. As we progress into the 21st Century, we are faced with new challenges in our efforts to build for today and plan for tomorrow, both nationally and internationally.
It is not only the problems associated with new construction that we face, infrastructure renewal and structural rehabilitation have emerged as equally important areas of activity. Techniques of construction project management have developed considerably over the past decade and as a result we find that the construction industry is evolving more and more a "one stop shop" approach to project delivery. This is exemplified by the proliferation of Design/Build methodologies together with the many variations of the finance Build-Operate-Transfer deliveries.
These new methodologies mean that we have to carefully consider not only how to implement appropriate management techniques to address these methodologies, but also how to develop education systems that address this new reality and prepare graduates to quickly and effectively participate in today's industry.
Construction is an international industry and this Conference provides the opportunity for national and international delegates to examine and discuss the latest techniques in both management methodology and management education.
Construction is no longer a "local" industry. Improved methods of transportation and information exchange mean that the Global Village is becoming a reality. In order to diversify and expand, it is essential that construction organizations consider entry to the International market. Important topics to be addressed are international construction opportunities, government policies, international trade agreements, labour availability, social and cultural issues.
Sustainable construction is a major issue in the present day. Although concern for our environment and the associated social benefits that accrue are our principal concerns, it is becoming apparent that many business advantages are also a spinoff from a sustainable approach to construction. The assessment of the environmental impact of new construction at the design stages, methods of measuring the sustainability of construction materials and methods and the management of construction waste are all topics worthy of discussion.
The construction industry is becoming increasingly complex and technically challenging. In the past the education focus of students who planned to enter the industry focussed principally on the technical aspects of construction rather than on the management aspects. This approach is no longer appropriate and many learning institutions are now developing courses and programs that focus on Construction Project Management. The development of these programs is vital for the future development of the industry and its participants and a blend of technical and managerial subjects may be the optimum methodology to address the situation.
We live in the information age. What steps are we taking to ensure that we take maximum advantage of the electronic tools and techniques available to us in the world to enable us to more effectively manage the design and construction processes? The efficient implementation and use of digital design methodology, cost and scheduling software, and communication methodology are all key items to be further explored by the industry.
Traditionally the Construction Industry has been labeled as "low-tech". This is a label that is rapidly becoming outdated. New materials, new methods and new equipment are revolutionizing the industry. Composite materials, robotics, improved fabrication methodology combined with new management approaches, like partnering, and improvements in the application of computer technology are examples of the current trends.
The Construction Industry is moving towards a "one-stop-shop" type of project delivery. The size and complexity of modern construction projects mean that a "team" approach is essential for project success. The full range of project services: Funding, Design, Construction and Operation are increasingly being used on large projects. On smaller type of projects, partnerships of differing professional entities are changing the scene from the traditional Design-Bid-Build methodology to the several variations of the Design-Build method.
There are concerns worldwide about the state of the infrastructure in most developed countries. In many parts of the world, the need is not for new infrastructure but the upgrading of existing systems to cope with increases in population. Transportation systems have frequently failed to keep up with the changes in volume and size of traffic. Water supply systems have been neglected or ineffectively maintained for many years. Sewage disposal systems have deteriorated or not grown with population increase. How do we come up with solutions to address these problems?
