Lesson 1: Sustainability in Construction 

Sustainability has grown over the past 40 years to have a major impact on how we construct buildings. The following video is an overview of what it is at a high level.

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What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Initially perceived by some as a fleeting trend or idealistic pursuit, sustainability has gained momentum and recognition as a critical consideration in development practices. Rooted in the philosophy of maintaining a balance that ensures a healthy planet for future generations, sustainability now underpins the triple bottom line approach: socially responsible, environmentally robust, and economically viable operations.

The Triple Bottom Line

Sustainability’s essence lies in achieving a harmonious balance across three key dimensions:

• Social: Fair labor practices, community engagement, and ensuring occupant well-being.
• Environmental: Efficient use of energy and resources, waste reduction, and minimizing carbon footprints.
• Economic: Enhancing operational efficiency and asset value for long-term savings and profitability.

Building Impact on Sustainability

Buildings significantly contribute to global resource consumption and environmental impact, responsible for:

• 40% of global energy use
• 33% of global greenhouse gas emissions
• 68-70% of total electricity consumption
• 38% of total carbon dioxide emissions

Major Categories of Sustainability in Facilities

Facility management’s role in sustainability encompasses eight critical areas:

• Energy: Optimizing energy performance and efficiency.
• Water: Effective water use, including recycling and reuse.
• Materials and Resources: Sustainable use of finite resources and managing recyclables.
• Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ): Enhancing occupant comfort and managing hazardous materials.
• Quality of Services: Including mail, meeting services, and landscape management.
• Waste: Reducing waste generation and promoting recycling programs.
• Workplace Management: Creating productive workspaces and reducing environmental impact.
• Site Impact: Managing stormwater, reducing pollution, and encouraging sustainable transportation options.

Tools to Measure Sustainability

Various global standards and rating systems assess and certify sustainability in buildings, including:

• US:  Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
• UK/Canada: Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)
• China: Three-Star Rating System
• Australia: Green Star
• Japan: CASBEE (Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency)

By understanding and implementing sustainability principles and practices, professionals in construction and facility management can significantly contribute to a healthier planet, ensuring that our built environment supports the well-being of both current and future generations.

Sustainability in Construction

Sustainability is an over-arching topic that is greatly impacting all levels of construction.  We want to be aware of what sustainability is and how it may impact our projects in the future.  What other ways do you see sustainability affecting your future roles?

Sustainability’s Impact on Construction

While the size and scale of the industry are impressive, this overall size and the nature of developing the built environment can also have significant negative impacts on environmental sustainability. From a risk management perspective, sustainability issues can be a major source of project risk and opportunity. Buildings account for 39% of all greenhouse gas emissions, and 68-70% of all electricity use. The construction of the built environment can also add to the noise, light, water, air quality, and other pollutants. These negative impacts can be substantial, and there is a very important need for all members in the industry to focus on minimizing the negative environmental impacts of our industry. There are increasing efforts to address these impacts through increased awareness along with metric systems that provide recognition, and sometimes stipulations through zoning regulations and code requirements, for improved sustainability measures. Examples of these metric systems include the US Green Building Council’s LEED rating system (the most frequently used in the US), the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes certification, the Living Building Challenge by the International Living Futures Institute, and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).

Sustainability and Project Management

In the past, project managers may have viewed sustainability as a separate topic, relegated to a consultant or even another department. Today, it is critical to integrate sustainability into every aspect and phase of the project management process in order to have the most effective project, with fewer impacts as described above. Just like with any project element, the earlier sustainability is discussed and integrated into the project, the lower the cost of implementation.

Types of elements that will be added to your project during the Initiating and Planning phases:

• Considering sustainable design standards
• Including goals and metrics for sustainability
• Considering the total cost of ownership
• Adding scope elements to minimize environmental impacts
• Including support of the local community in the budget
• Considering environmental and social risks
• Creation of a sustainability policy document for the project

The entire project team then has a role in identifying elements, integrating them into the process, and managing them throughout the rest of the project.

Lesson 2: Technology in Construction

Similar to sustainability, technology has also grown greatly over the past few decades to provide opportunities for improving processes within the construction industry. We will look at some of these pathways as well as the legal and ethical implications of their use.

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Pathways for Technology

• Internet of Things (IoT): IoT serves as the cornerstone of smart building concepts, integrating devices and data to enable remote monitoring, control, and operation. Its application extends to augmented reality, building information modeling, and predictive maintenance, although its dependency on internet bandwidth poses potential challenges on construction sites.
• Integrated Work Management: This approach encapsulates the integration of technology to facilitate construction processes, featuring Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual/Augmented Reality, and Digital Twins. These tools collectively enhance the visualization, planning, and simulation of construction projects before physical implementation.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI’s role in construction is rapidly expanding, from fast-processing data for planning and risk mitigation to generative design and safety monitoring. It leverages vast amounts of data to optimize construction processes, design, and operational efficiency, showcasing the potential for real-time progress reporting and enhanced decision-making capabilities.

Ethical and Legal Implications

The adoption of advanced technologies brings forth a plethora of ethical and legal considerations, especially concerning data privacy and security. The potential for monitoring and collecting detailed information about occupants and workers raises questions about privacy and the use of such data in decision-making processes. Moreover, the security risks associated with digitizing building operations necessitate stringent measures to protect against data breaches and unauthorized access.

The limitations of AI and machine learning in making human-centric decisions also pose ethical dilemmas, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that incorporates emotional intelligence and human oversight in automated processes.

New Technologies

In recent years, technological innovation in design, materials, and construction methods has resulted in significant changes in construction costs. Computer aids have improved capabilities for generating quality designs as well as reducing the time required to produce alternative designs. New materials not only have enhanced the quality of construction but also shortened the time for shop fabrication and field erection. Construction methods have gone through various stages of mechanization and automation, including the latest development of construction robotics.

The most dramatic new technology applied to construction has been the Internet and its private, corporate Intranet versions. The Internet is widely used as a means to foster collaboration among professionals on a project, to communicate bids and results, and to procure necessary goods and services. Real-time video from specific construction sites is widely used to illustrate construction progress to interested parties. The result has been more effective collaboration, communication, and procurement.

The effects of many new technologies on construction costs have been mixed because of the high development costs for new technologies. However, it is unmistakable that design professionals and construction contractors who have not adapted to changing technologies have been forced out of the mainstream of design and construction activities. Ultimately, construction quality and cost can be improved with the adoption of new technologies which are proven to be efficient from both the viewpoints of performance and economy.

This evolution of technology and its impacts have been dubbed the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0.

The list of technologies is quite varied, but they have all been identified as having the potential to transform the construction industry:

• Additive Manufacturing
• Data and Analytics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Robotics and Automation
• Virtual, Augmented, Mixed and Extended Reality
• The Internet of Things and 5G
• Digital Twins
• Nanotechnology

How Technology is Changing Construction

As new technology emerges, there is a long list of benefits to implementation in construction:

1. Reduced costs
2. Reduced waste
3. New technology-based roles
4. Safer construction sites
5. Increased operation or production rate on-site
6. Freedom for complex design for structural purposes
7. Enabling potentials for multi-functional elements
8. Minimizing errors

There are of course challenges and issues in implementation, but the individuals and companies able to overcome those challenges will be on the leading edge to transform the industry.

Lesson 3: Innovation in Construction

Innovation is the differentiator that will help you succeed and even lead within your chosen career field. It is what will drive the construction industry forward leading it to be one of the most important tools you can acquire.

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As we prefaced in the last lecture or two, the differentiating factors that are going to earn your construction company the cool projects are going to be your company’s approach to sustainability, technology, and of course innovation! A focus on these concepts will help your organization be more efficient and productive, helping you to find ways to save money compared to your competition. Perhaps you will even find ways to improve safety for your workers! The way we do this is to be constantly looking for ways to improve our processes, and we do this through innovation. In the lecture, we’ll look at the types of innovation and how we can build upon them. The following readings look at improving the economy of our project and integrating technology through innovation.

Innovation and Technological Feasibility

The planning for a construction project begins with the generation of concepts for a facility that will meet market demands and owner needs. Innovative concepts in design are highly valued not for their own sake but for their contributions to reducing costs and to the improvement of aesthetics, comfort, or convenience as embodied in a well-designed facility. However, the constructor as well as the design professionals must have an appreciation and full understanding of the technological complexities often associated with innovative designs to provide a safe and sound facility. Since these concepts are often preliminary or tentative, screening studies are carried out to determine the overall technological viability and economic attractiveness without pursuing these concepts in great detail. Because of the ambiguity of the objectives and the uncertainty of external events, screening studies call for uninhibited innovation in creating new concepts and judicious judgment in selecting the appropriate ones for further consideration.

One of the most important aspects of design innovation is the necessity of communication in the design/construction partnership. In the case of bridge design, it can be illustrated by the following quotation from Lin and Gerwick concerning bridge construction:

“The great pioneering steel bridges of the United States were built by an open or covert alliance between designers and constructors. The turnkey approach of designer-constructor has developed and built our chemical plants, refineries, steel plants, and nuclear power plants. It is time to ask, seriously, whether we may not have adopted a restrictive approach by divorcing engineering and construction in the field of bridge construction.”

If a contractor-engineer, by some stroke of genius, were to present to design engineers today a wonderful new scheme for long-span prestressed concrete bridges that made them far cheaper, he would have to make these ideas available to all other constructors, even limiting or watering them down to “get a group of truly competitive bidders.” The engineer would have to make sure that he found other contractors to bid against the ingenious innovator.

If an engineer should, by a similar stroke of genius, hit on such a unique and brilliant scheme, he would have to worry, wondering if the low bidder would be one who had any concept of what he was trying to accomplish or was in any way qualified for high-class technical work.

Innovative design concepts must be tested for technological feasibility. Three levels of technology are of special concern: technological requirements for operation or production, design resources, and construction technology. The first refers to the new technologies that may be introduced in a facility that is used for a certain type of production such as chemical processing or nuclear power generation. The second refers to the design capabilities that are available to the designers, such as new computational methods or new materials. The third refers to new technologies that can be adopted to construct the facility, such as new equipment or new construction methods.

A new facility may involve complex new technology for operation in hostile environments such as severe climate or restricted accessibility. Large projects with unprecedented demands for resources such as labor supply, material, and infrastructure may also call for careful technological feasibility studies. Major elements in a feasibility study on production technology should include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Project type is characterized by the technology required, such as synthetic fuels, petrochemicals, nuclear power plants, etc.
• Project size in dollars, design engineer’s hours, construction labor hours, etc.
• Design, including sources of any special technology which require licensing agreements.
• Project location may pose problems in environmental protection, labor productivity, and special risks.

An example of innovative design for operation and production is the use of entropy concepts for the design of integrated chemical processes. Simple calculations can be used to indicate the minimum energy requirements and the least number of heat exchange units to achieve desired objectives. The result is a new incentive and criterion for designers to achieve more effective designs. Numerous applications of the new methodology have shown its efficacy in reducing both energy costs and construction expenditures. This is a case in which innovative design is not a matter of trading off operating and capital costs, but better designs can simultaneously achieve improvements in both objectives.

The choice of construction technology and method involves both strategic and tactical decisions about appropriate technologies and the best sequencing of operations. For example, the extent to which prefabricated facility components will be used represents a strategic construction decision. In turn, prefabrication of components might be accomplished off-site in existing manufacturing facilities or a temporary, on-site fabrication plant might be used. Another example of a strategic decision is whether to install mechanical equipment in place early in the construction process or at an intermediate stage. Strategic decisions of this sort should be integrated with the process of facility design in many cases. At the tactical level, detailed decisions about how to accomplish particular tasks are required, and such decisions can often be made in the field.

Construction planning should be a major concern in the development of facility designs, in the preparation of cost estimates, and in forming bids by contractors. Unfortunately, planning for the construction of a facility is often treated as an afterthought by design professionals. This contrasts with manufacturing practices in which the assembly of devices is a major concern in design. Design to ensure ease of assembly or construction should be a major concern of engineers and architects. As the Business Roundtable noted, “All too often chances to cut schedule time and costs are lost because construction operates as a production process separated by a chasm from financial planning, scheduling, and engineering or architectural design. Too many engineers, separated from field experience, are not up to date about how to build what they design, or how to design so structures and equipment can be erected most efficiently.”

Innovation and Technological Feasibility

The structural design of skyscrapers offers an example of innovation in overcoming the barrier of high costs for tall buildings by making use of new design capabilities. A revolutionary concept in skyscraper design was introduced in the 1960’s by Fazlur Khan who argued that, for a building of a given height, there is an appropriate structural system that would produce the most efficient use of the material.

Before 1965, most skyscrapers were steel rigid frames. However, Fazlur Khan believed that it was uneconomical to construct all office buildings of rigid frames, and proposed an array of appropriate structural systems for steel buildings of specified heights. By choosing an appropriate structural system, an engineer can use structural materials more efficiently. For example, the 60-story Chase Manhattan Building in New York used about 60 pounds per square foot of steel in its rigid frame structure, while the 100-story John Hancock Center in Chicago used only 30 pounds per square foot for a trusted tube system. At the time the Chase Manhattan Building was constructed, no bracing was used to stiffen the core of a rigid frame building because design engineers did not have the computing tools to do the complex mathematical analysis associated with core bracing.

Innovation and Economic Feasibility

Innovation is often regarded as the engine that can introduce construction economies and advance labor productivity. This is true for certain types of innovations in industrial production technologies, design capabilities, and construction equipment and methods. However, there are also limitations due to the economic infeasibility of such innovations, particularly in the segments of the construction industry which are more fragmented and permit ease of entry, as in the construction of residential housing.

Market demand and firm size play an important role in this regard. If a builder is to construct a larger number of similar units of buildings, the cost per unit may be reduced. This relationship between the market demand and the total cost of production may be illustrated schematically. An initial threshold or fixed cost F is incurred to allow any production. Beyond this threshold cost, total cost increases faster than the units of output but at a decreasing rate. At each point on this total cost curve, the average cost is represented by the slope of a line from the origin to the point on the curve. At a point H, the average cost per unit is at a minimum. Beyond H to the right, the total cost again increases faster than the units of output and at an increasing rate. When the rate of change of the average cost slope is decreasing or constant as between 0 and H on the curve, the range between 0 and H is said to be increasing return to scale; when the rate of change of the average cost slope is increasing as beyond H to the right, the region is said to be decreasing return to scale. Thus, if fewer than h units are constructed, the unit price will be higher than that of exactly h units. On the other hand, the unit price will increase again if more than h units are constructed.

Nowhere is the effect of market demand and total cost more evident than in residential housing. The housing segment in the last few decades accepted many innovative technical improvements in building materials which were promoted by material suppliers. Since material suppliers provide products to a large number of homebuilders and others, they are in a better position to exploit production economies of scale and support new product development. However, homebuilders themselves have not been as successful in making the most fundamental form of innovation which encompasses changes in the technological process of homebuilding by shifting the mixture of labor and material inputs, such as substituting large-scale off-site prefabrication for on-site assembly.

There are several major barriers to innovation in the technological process of homebuilding, including demand instability, industrial fragmentation, and building codes. Since market demand for new homes follows demographic trends and other socio-economic conditions, the variation in home building has been anything but regular. The profitability of the home building industry has closely matched aggregate output levels. Since entry and exit from the industry are relatively easy, it is not uncommon during periods of slack demand to find builders leaving the market or suspending their operations until better times. The inconsistent levels of retained earnings over the years, even among the more established builders, are likely to discourage support for research and development efforts that are required to nurture innovation. Furthermore, because the homebuilding industry is fragmented with a vast majority of homebuilders active only in local regions, the typical homebuilder finds it excessively expensive to experiment with new designs. The potential costs of a failure or even a moderately successful innovation would outweigh the expected benefits of all but the most successful innovations. Variation in local building codes has also caused inefficiencies although repeated attempts have been made to standardize building codes.

In addition to the scale economies visible within a sector of the construction market, there are also possibilities for scale economies in individual facilities. For example, the relationship between the size of a building (expressed in square feet) and the input labor (expressed in labor hours per square foot) varies for different types and sizes of buildings. These relationships for several types of buildings exhibit different characteristics. The labor hours per square foot decline as the size of the facility increases for houses, public housing, and public buildings. However, the labor hours per square foot almost remain constant for all sizes of school buildings and increase as the size of a hospital facility increases.

Exploration: Associations, Networking, and Credentials

Many students find themselves wondering, “How can I establish connections with industry professionals?” In numerous career trajectories, the breadth and depth of your network can be equally, if not more, pivotal than your knowledge and skills. This emphasizes that your professional network can not only guide you to suitable roles but also mentor you towards more demanding positions, significantly aiding your career progression. While it’s not necessary to meet every contact for coffee, initiating and thoughtfully nurturing select connections can yield substantial long-term benefits for both your personal development and career advancement.

The key takeaway from this guidance is:

• Your career path is entirely up to you. It’s your exclusive journey, not anyone else’s.
• Customize it to fit your interests. Seek out the education, credentials, or professional associations that captivate you.
• Embrace the process of exploration. Don’t worry about having everything figured out from the start. Experiment, try new things, and be open to discovering what you truly enjoy or wish to pursue, making adjustments along the way as needed.
• When it comes to networking, aim to be where the professionals gather.
  • LinkedIn is a professional networking hub. Create a profile, start making connections, and engage with the platform’s vast network of professionals.
  • Explore local chapters of associations related to your field of interest. These groups often welcome new or young professionals with open arms and can provide invaluable support and opportunities for your career development.

Associations Related to Construction Field

The following names and links are member associations that are all related to construction and the built environment. In terms of networking, these associations can be very beneficial in growing yourself in a community to learn from and connect you to potential career opportunities.

• CMAA – Construction Management Association of America
• NAWIC – The National Association for Women in Construction
• NAMC – National Association of Minority Contractors
• AGC – Associated General Contractors of America
• ABC – Associated Builders and Contractors
• NRCA – National Roofing Contractors Association
• SEAA – Steel Erectors Association of America
• AFSA – American Fire Sprinkler Association
• MCAA – Mason Contractors Association of America
• CURT – Construction Users Round Table
• NIA – National Insulators Association
• NGA – National Glass Association
• PMI – The Project Management Institute

Associations Related to Technical Training

The following links are organizations and associations related to furthering your education after college. They may have certifications that could be beneficial to your particular path or may be requirements you need for regulatory or legal purposes. Either way, knowledge of these is good as you move forward.

• ACCE – American Council for Construction Education
• NATE – North American Technician Excellence
• CII – Construction Industry Institute
• MI – The Manufacturing Institute
• BYF – Build Your Future
• CareerSafe – Safety Training
• ACTE – Association for Career and Technical Education
• NCCER – National Center for Construction Education and Research
• AACE – Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering
• CSI – Construction Specifications Institute

Module 7 Recap

In this module, we focused on strategies to “Accelerate Your Career” in construction project management, facility management, and related fields. We explored the integration of sustainability, technology, and innovation within the construction industry, providing a comprehensive overview to prepare you for future career advancements.

What We Learned

Career Paths and Organizational Structures:

• We discussed various career paths within construction and facility management, examining how different organizational structures can influence career progression.
• The module highlighted the importance of understanding these paths and structures to effectively align your career goals with potential opportunities in the industry.

Roles and Intersections:

• We delved into the distinct roles within construction project management, project management, and facility management, understanding how these fields intersect and complement each other in real-world scenarios.
• This exploration helped clarify how skills and responsibilities overlap and where they diverge in these professions.

Sustainability, Technology, and Innovation in Construction:

• Sustainability has become a cornerstone in modern construction practices, emphasizing the need for environmentally sustainable decisions that benefit both current and future generations.
• Technology’s role was examined through its application in smart buildings, integrated work management, and the use of AI and IoT to enhance construction processes.
• Innovation was discussed as a critical driver for the industry, with a focus on new materials, construction methods, and the ongoing evolution influenced by technological advancements.

Course Review