Management of Environmental Risk in Modern Construction

This project aims to gain insight into the management of environmental risk in modern construction by studying the benefits of using recycled aggregates. It covers project identification, research methods, feasibility studies, and project brief and specifications. The project also includes resource planning, cost analysis, and project management solutions.

Individual Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
(a) Project Identification : A construction project based on theme and selection of a project
aimed at its solution................................................................................................................1
(b) Research Methods : Background reading to see how others tackled similar problem.....2
(c) Feasibility studies : Test the alternative approaches suggested for construction process.3
(d) Brief and Specification : Aims and main components of project. Explain why clear
specification of the project is a key to approach a successful outcome.................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
(a) As part of project scope identify potential resources needed, costs, personnel and
timescales involved:...............................................................................................................5
(b) Range of techniques for potential solutions and stating them clearly indicating the costs
and cost planning involved.....................................................................................................6
(c) Prepare and update as an ongoing project management plan with standard systems of time
and resource tracking include work plans possibly using Gantt Charts, Project Evaluation and
Review Technique (PERT) charts or Critical Path Method (CPM).......................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
(a) Evaluation of potential project management solutions using PERT or CPM...................9
(b) Justify the selection of your preferred project solution with reference to your initial stated
project specification as clearly provided earlier in your project scope................................10
(c) Comparison of outcomes of initial planned resources, timescales and costs with actual
outcomes of these criteria.....................................................................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................12
Conclusion and Recommendation........................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Project management is the art of managing the projects in a manner such that it yields the
desired outcomes within the predefined course of time (Sońta-Drączkowska and Mrożewski,
2020). Every industry, regardless of it being service based or manufacturing based, consists of
certain extent of risk within it. Construction industry, inclusive of diverse kind of equipments,
materials, procedures and building developments is regarded to be one amongst the highest risk
sectors. The current project seeks to gain an insight into the management of environmental risk
within the modern construction. It is seen that the natural materials which are used in the
construction industry will get depleted at the rate at which it is being used. The current project
aims at identifying the concept of Recycled Concrete Aggregates and its impact in reducing of
risk in construction sector. The project is divided into 3 sections. The first section consists of
formulation of a project providing solution to the identified problem. It will include topics such
as project identification, research methods, feasibility studies, and project brief and
specifications. Further, the second section is concerned with management of project in agreed
time and specifications along with documentation of the whole procedure. This section
encompasses resources and resource planning; costs and cost planning; work plan; project
tracking and milestones. The last section takes into account the project management solutions by
including PERT analysis and CPM analysis.
TASK 1
(a) Project Identification : A construction project based on theme and selection of a project
aimed at its solution
Modern construction involves various risks that tend to range from legal to health and
safety to operational and many more. There is an urgent need to mitigate the risks arising within
this industry in order to ensure that the structures developed are safe. The project theme is
management of risks within modern construction which is an essential aspect that needs to be
taken into account by engineers or project managers. The topic is reducing risk in on site
operations. Now, protection of nature and conservation of natural aggregate resources has
become very important in the modern era of construction. This has given rise to the usage of
recycled aggregates within concrete in order to be able to preserve the natural resources. Thus,
the project that has been undertaken is as follows:-
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“To study the benefits of using recycled aggregates in concrete for reduction of risk in
modern construction”
Recycled aggregates are acknowledged to be the aggregates that are derived from the
processing of materials which have been earlier utilised within a product and/or within
construction. The examples of these recycled aggregates consist of recycled concrete from
construction and demolition waste material (C&D), reclaimed aggregate from asphalt pavement
and scrap tyres, and many more. Such waste materials can easily be recycled and put to use again
within the modern construction in order to preserve the natural aggregate resources for future
generation. Thus, this project seeks to reduce the risk within modern construction while also
guaranteeing the facilitation of sustainable construction of buildings and structures.
(b) Research Methods : Background reading to see how others tackled similar problem
Research methods can be referred to as the sources from whereby information can be
collected in relation to the project which is being undertaken by the project manager (McGrath
and Whitty, 2020). In this relation, it is identified that for the current project, various methods
can be opted for by the project manager. These provide knowledge in relation to the
environmental risk and the way in which recycled aggregates in concrete can be put to use within
the modern construction. Thus, the various methods to conduct research and gather information
are explained in brief manner beneath:-
Journal articles: These are the articles which are published upon a specific topic to
provide detailed information about it. These articles are written by experts of the concerned field
of work. This can provide information about recycled aggregates and how these can be used for
modern construction projects.
Observation of construction procedures: This is yet another crucial and important source
for gathering information related to construction industry. This provides assistance in noting
down the minute details pertaining to the concerned sector and thereby applying the same
knowledge in the current project.
Questionnaire: This document is the accumulation of certain enquiries which are made
from respondents in order to gather their views and opinions over the subject matter. The
information is collected through a sample of certain number of individuals from the overall
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population. It constitutes open ended and close ended questions which help collect important
data from the respondents.
Survey: This research tool is similar to questionnaire and comprises of certain set of
questions through which information is gathered to be used for forecasting and analysis. It is an
effective tool to gather information pertinent to mainstream issues. This will duly assist the
project manager in collecting information from various engineers and experts who have
knowledge about the recycled aggregates used in concrete within the modern construction.
(c) Feasibility studies : Test the alternative approaches suggested for construction process
The feasibility study involves examination of the practicality of a proposed method or
plan. This is concerned with ascertainment of the profitability of the proposal, in terms of
determining whether it will lead to entailment of productive outcomes or not (Borg and Scott-
Young, 2020). In this regard, it becomes important to carry out testing of the alternative
approaches for the modern construction to take place as per the requirements. Thus, given
beneath is a comparison of the two approaches, one being the usual one that is virgin aggregates
and another one being the usage of recycled aggregate in concrete. The information for the
purpose of comparison is collected via a number of sources that have already been explained
above. The comparison is thus presented beneath:-
Basis Virgin Aggregates Recycled Aggregates
Meaning This refers to those items which
have newly been mined from within
the ground. These are usually
gravel, granular or crystalline rock,
sand and stone. Mostly, these
aggregates come via quarry or a
local mine.
Rather than being mine, recycled
aggregates are made up from crushed
concrete. Hereby, the unused concrete is
returned back to plant and thus the
product is crushed to a specific extent
for creation of a new recycled aggregate.
Environmental
impact
These materials are required to be
mined. Further, it needs digging of
land via the application of several
kinds of equipments and tools. The
As the recycled aggregates already come
from a previous existent item, thus these
are not required to undergo the process
of mining. This eliminates the need for
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material is then processed for
usage. The overall procedure can
thus result in excessive use of
natural resources like pollution,
energy, etc.
making use of natural resources. Also, it
reduces the requirement for products
taking up space within a landfill.
Cost Virgin aggregates are relatively
costlier than recycled aggregates.
This is relatively more cost effective
alternative as the organisations do not
have to invest in mining or production of
new materials.
The overall analysis leads to the conclusion that recycled aggregates have a clear edge
over the virgin aggregates in terms of economic and environmental effects. Thus, the project
based upon recycled aggregates is regarded to be a suitable and feasible one.
(d) Brief and Specification : Aims and main components of project. Explain why clear
specification of the project is a key to approach a successful outcome.
The current project is based upon the identification of benefits linked with the usage of
recycled aggregates within the modern construction to reduce the environmental risk. The aims
for this project are given beneath:-
 To comprehend the concept and significance of recycled aggregates.
 To determine the benefits linked to usage of recycled aggregates in modern construction.
 To ascertain the ways in which recycled aggregates can be put to use in the modern day
construction projects.
 To ascertain how recycled aggregates lead to reduction of environmental risk within the
modern construction.
It has been identified that the main components of the project are recycled aggregates,
project log book, and project management plan and so on. The clear specification of project is
considered as the key to attainment of successful outcomes as this helps in laying down the main
components without which the project cannot take place properly and yield the desired results.
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Now, a strong relationship is acknowledged to exist between the stages named project
identification, feasibility, planning on time and resources. This is so because all of these stages
are the key to effective execution of a project. In the absence of any of these stages, the project
based on the determination of benefits associated with usage of recycled aggregates in modern
construction, is likely to fail. Hereby, project identification helps in determining the overview of
the project, feasibility assists in determining its practicality, planning on time ensures timely
execution of project stages and resource planning leads to assignment of sufficient resources to
every stage and activity of the project (Dobie, 2020).
TASK 2
(a) As part of project scope identify potential resources needed, costs, personnel and timescales
involved:
Project resources generally described as personnel, capital and materials or services needed
to manage and complete a project successfully. So, managers have to know what kind
of resources are needed to complete project and team members effectively. Here are some
required elements which should be considered by project managers, as follows:
Costs: Without a budgeted plan, no project begins. how efficiently project costs are treated
in project are measured for project performance. success of project. The project will not be
accomplished within project cost several times. This implies that project price may have
surpassed when calculating Project Cost Vs project profits which is therefore considered to be a
project deficiency. Therefore, the accurate estimation of costs required for a project is very
critical.
Particulars
All amount in million
pounds
Initial investment 60
Project Initiation 0.3
Commission Design of Factory 2.8
Detailed design of Factory 3.8
Manufacturing Cost 6.5
Manufacture Modular Factory Units 4
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Transport and Construct Modular Factory on site in Germany 3.5
Testing 2.2
Transport 2.5
Staff Wages 1.2
Planned profit 9.8
Bonus for early completion 2.10
Net profit 11.9
Resources: These are essential thing which are core factor of project’s success. Managers have to
assure the availability of all resources. Managers should list out all the resources and material
required as well as their availability and extent of usage. As in respective project, managers must
make a list of all resources required for project Recycled Concrete Aggregates.
People: Human beings are resistant to change when their actions or working habits are changed
and there is no shift in acceptance. Changes like these which initially appear not to be
appropriate for a project leader, but they influence the progress of project like most other issues,
so that a PM must be active and effective in this field as well. Because people within project,
those who are influenced by the project, may not contribute to their progress, a project lead by
qualified project manager with an experienced and trusted approach will still struggle.
Time scale: For project leaders, learning skills to create a fixed timeline is quite critical. This
indicates what stages are already done in past, what progression is still underway and what will
be done in the prospect. It means that it allows to pursue the directions of projects. As in
respective project deadline is around 91 days and all the tasks are split as per this deadline.
(b) Range of techniques for potential solutions and stating them clearly indicating the costs and
cost planning involved.
EVA table:
Tasks % of work
completion
Budgeted Cost of Work
Performed (BCWP) or
Earned value (BCWS *
completion %)
Actual Cost of
Work Performed
(ACWP)
Budgeted Cost of
Work Scheduled
(BCWS)
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PI 100 20 0.2 0.2
A 100 280 2.91 2.8
B 100 160 1.72 1.6
C 100 150 1.53 1.5
D 80 304 4.08 3.8
E 100 540 5.97 5.4
F 35 119 1.32 3.4
G 35 227.5 2.76 6.5
H 50 200 2.75 4
Total 2000.5 23.24 29.2 (BAC)
Cumulativ
e Planned
Value
(PV)
Cumulativ
e Actual
Cost (AC)
Cumulative
Earned
Value (EV)
Cost
Variance
(EV - AC)
Schedul
e
Varianc
e (EV -
PV)
Cost
Performanc
e Index
(CPI =
EV/AC)
Schedule
Performanc
e Index
(SPI =
EV/PV)
200000 200000 200000 0 0 1 1
3000000 3110000 3000000 -110000 0 0.96 1
4600000 4830000 4600000 -230000 0 0.95 1
6100000 6360000 6100000 -260000 0 0.96 1
9900000 10440000 9140000 -1300000 -760000 0030.88 0.92
15300000 16410000 14540000 -1870000 -760000 0.89 0.95
18700000 17730000 15730000 -2000000 -
2970000 0.89 0.84
25200000 20490000 18005000 -2485000 -
7195000 0.88 0.71
29200000 23240000 20005000 -3235000 -
9195000 0.86 0.69
4.2 Creation of a projected completion date, final spend, and comparison of the values
Projected completion date using EVA:
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ECD = start _ date + ED (Schwalbe, 2015)
8th July 2019 + ED
ECD = 02 October 20
Projected final spend using EVA:
Estimate at completion (EAC) = Actual cost (AC) + ((Budget at completion (BAC) – Earned
value (EV)) / (Cost performance index (CPI) * Schedule performance index (SPI)))
Estimate at completion (EAC) = 2,32,40,000 + (2,92,00,000 - 2,00,05,000) / 0.86 * 40.01
2,32,40,000 + 9195000/ 0.86 * 40.01
32435000 / 0.86 * 40.01
32435000 / 34.4086
= 942642.24
Task E with a cumulative budget of around 4159840, and with an ACWP of 4430000,
is next role assigned preceding Task D and with a BCWP of around 4159840, although the costs
of budgeting for the preparation of research are nil. The next assignment following task E is task
F throughout budget by which ACWP was around 4933920, and in overall work was 3700440,
while the BCWS was Nil. The next priority for priority F is task G, with an overall budget
allocation of three hundred and one hundred and one hundred and a half million and a BCWP of
eleven hundred and ten, with the BCHWS at zero. The next task to be delegated following task
H, where 3279680 is total budget. It will cause the job to be delegated to N and original
estimated cost of accomplishing tasks to be around 36290000. The expenditure for finishing the
tasks has a sum of around 34099312, BCWS 18562574.40. The overall sum is around 4030000
and BCWP is around 2951712.
(c) Prepare and update as an ongoing project management plan with standard systems of time
and resource tracking include work plans possibly using Gantt Charts, Project Evaluation
and Review Technique (PERT) charts or Critical Path Method (CPM)
Gantt Chart:
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PERT:
TASK 3
(a) Evaluation of potential project management solutions using PERT or CPM
Several alternatives such as CPM or PERT exist in order to evaluate the manner in which
systems engineering impacts upon the development of a project. In concern with the current
project, PERT method has been put to use which is explained beneath:-
PERT: This can be identified as a method within the program evaluation which
constitutes the planning diagrams put to use for scheduling various tasks throughout any system.
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It can also be seen in terms of a contract management tool which enables the measurement of
time taken for accomplishment of a task (Sońta-Drączkowska and Mrożewski, 2020). With
PERT method, it has become easier for the companies to organize and address the issues which
are faced during the execution of any project. This leads to the preservation of capacity as it is a
situation oriented to schedule. This is suitable for the projects that are executed with the purpose
of bringing forth innovation by companies.
(b) Justify the selection of your preferred project solution with reference to your initial stated
project specification as clearly provided earlier in your project scope.
The issue that has been highlighted within the current project is usage of virgin
aggregates which leads to wastage of time, efforts and leads to consumption of natural resources.
The project thus promotes the usage of recycled aggregates as an environmental friendly
alternative that helps in reducing the risk in modern construction. With the passage of time,
recycling of building waste has become difficult as it is mainly in the form of large quantities of
hazardous waste. Also, the volume of waste retrieved on a fairly regular basis is massive with an
expanding population. In this regard, if all these components are used for the development of a
block of flats, it would be advantageous to lower the amount of produced waste materials. Since
cement has been so expensive, by exchanging this with recycled waste or virgin raw-materials, it
might appear to be a massive success for both government and the private sector. Now, PERT
method has been opted for this project as this method not just provides assistance in staying
organized but also in identification of critical components of project. PERT will also lead to the
estimation of project duration and identification of slack times, providing the
project manager with a clear picture of the current positioning of project.
(c) Comparison of outcomes of initial planned resources, timescales and costs with actual
outcomes of these criteria.
Variance Variance
Task Cost of Budget Actual cost Amount Percentage
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A 6.1 8.15 -2.05 1.87
B 3.8 7.2 -3.4 1.408
C 5.4 2.56 2.84 -2.4
D 3.4 3.18 0.22 -13.57
E 6.5 4.43 2.07 -13.59
F 4 4.29 -0.29 4.67
G 3.5 1.67 1.83 33.2
H 2.2 4.03 -1.83 -30
- 0.61 - 18.412
Table 4: Analysis of the project’s variances
The project variations can be evaluated easily on the basis of stated table above. From
this table, negative differences of tasks A, B, F & H are -2.05, -3.4, -0.29 and -1.83 can also be
evaluated and the entire project will possibly impact on date of completion. Activities C, D , E
and G on other side, which show variation of 2.84, 0.22, 2.07 and 1,83 are accomplished.
Although, whole project is potentially influenced by one lag.
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TASK 4
Conclusion and Recommendation
On the basis of above project, it is stated that construction industry is acknowledged to be
one of the riskiest industries within the corporate world. Each and every construction project is
identified to be unique and thus comes with certain opportunities as well as risks. It becomes
important to duly take into consideration these risks so that they do not hamper the overall
execution of a construction project. In this relation, environmental risk is one of the most
prominent risks. For this purpose, the recycled aggregates or materials are being used nowadays
within the modern construction projects. These materials are strong and even assist in saving the
natural resources. Thus, they help in managing the risk in the construction industry and lay down
the foundation to construction of strong buildings.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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professionals. Routledge.
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agility in IT project portfolio management: Recommendations based on a revelatory case
study. International Journal of Project Management, 38(2), pp.124-136.
Kock, A., Schulz, B., Kopmann, J. and Gemünden, H.G., 2020. Project portfolio management
information systems’ positive influence on performance–the importance of process
maturity. International Journal of Project Management, 38(4), pp.229-241.
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governance is? A study on perceptions in Queensland, Australia. International Journal of
Managing Projects in Business.
Rew, L. and et. al., 2020. Application of project management tools and techniques to support
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Sanchez, F. and et. al., 2020. An approach based on bayesian network for improving project
management maturity: an application to reduce cost overrun risks in engineering
projects. Computers in Industry, 119, p.103227.
Sońta-Drączkowska, E. and Mrożewski, M., 2020. Exploring the role of project management in
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Journal, 51(3), pp.294-311.
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