Monday, 26 November 2012

PROJECT FINAL EXAMINATION
MPM HO CHI MINH CITY - INTAKE 2011
23rd & 24th November 2012

Last 23rd and 24th November, MPM program organized Project Final examination for 18 MPM students at AITVN in Ho Chi Minh city. Committee members were Dr. Hadikusumo, Dr. Chotchai and Dr. Santi.
Students who have passed this exam will attend the Graduation ceremony at AIT Thailand on 18 December 2012.

Presentation of MPM5 student

Group photo after exam

Sunday, 25 November 2012


INVESTMENT COST CHANGES FOR AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING PLANT


by



Nguyen Nam Cuong


Abstract

Vietnam is a developing country with about 70% of the population works in the fields related to agriculture and rural. Through a process of development since the Doi Moi to now, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading exporters of rice and many agricultural commodities such as coffee bean, cashew nut, black pepper… However, almost of agricultural commodities are exported in raw material types or semi products. On other hand, the procurement and exporting system has not been paying attention enough to develop correspondingly.
As the result, the value of exported agricultural products of Vietnam is normally underestimated in the international markets because of low quality. The low margin of agriculture products, in turn, contributes to increase income gap between rural and urban area. Therefore, one of the key objectives of the Vietnamese Government is to develop systems for storage and processing of agricultural products, improving production and processing capacities, autonomy in purchasing and export of agricultural commodities with quality, contributing to improving Vietnam’s position on world agricultural markets.



Executive summary  

Rationale of research
This research has been conducted to find out the way for capital estimates and analysis of estimates
Through frame work, the focus of evaluation is on financial problems analyze and change in actual cash flows and why these changes occur.
Objectives of study
To propose a solution through analysis, doing general feasibility study of project and analysis, evaluation of project cost changes.
Methodology
The qualitative approach has been used to resolve issues during construction to achieve performance.
The process includes data collection, processing and data analysis. Considering mutual relationship inside and outside using standards, normative in accordance and propose solution.
Findings and conclusion
Investment project being important document for owner to assess investment decision, owner can see big picture of project.
However the important factor in investment project is construction cost, which always seen with bias. The feasibility study is always dependant on owner and consultant and project management methods so as to reduce risk in cost fluctuation. And owner can control cash flows.
 List of factors affecting investment project
  • Expertise and experience in project management of the Owner.
  • The financial capability of the Owner.
  • The professional ability and knowledge related to the field of investment consultancy and project design.
  • Ability to coordinate the implementation of tasks between the Owner and contractors design and consulting in the preparation period of investment.
  • Ability to coordinate between the Owners and construction contractors in the construction process.
  • The professionalism of the construction contractor.
  • Mechanisms and incentives to support investment in the locality.
The agricultural processing plant from initial stage to implementation is long process with constant change; thus success of project depends upon owner control on such movements and ensuring quality and time of investment.
During the project, the change in cost is often by different reasons, divided into four stages.
1.       The cost of construction in terms of rates of investment costs for Feasibility Study.
2.       The cost determined by the total estimated cost.
3.       The value determined by the construction contractor's proposal is approved.
4.      The actual value of the settlement package.
It is almost impossible to determine the final cost of each package at construction stage except package having fix-price, and change in cost can only be observed in above three steps.
For the changes in fourth stage that can determine final value,it is necessary to consider risk in construction process
·         Project area actually decreased compared to the record.
·         The detail design is inappropriate to the construction.
·         Price volatility of construction materials.
·         Difficult to find workers and construction equipment.
·         The impact of weather on the construction process.
·         Fluctuation of currency exchange rates.
The owner can have actively appropriate countermeasures, to minimize the negative impacts, including the choice of contractual form, in accordance, and contract with the consultant of supervisor, design consultants and contractors to strictly control the changes arising in the construction process. These are also the mission of Project Management.

Wednesday, 21 November 2012

MPM Can Tho 2013



OWNER’S PROJECT SCHEDULING STRATEGY
A CASE STUDY OF
SHB - DA NANG F.C SPORTS AND TRAINING COMPLEX CENTRE PROJECT 





by


Vuong Hoang Thang



Abstract

A successful construction project is the one that completion within destined time, budget and quality. Project scheduling and project scheduling management are very important parts of any project as they provide the project team, sponsor, and stakeholders a picture of the project’s status at any given time.
The Project schedule is the roadmap for how the project will be executed. A successful construction project is also meaning a successful project scheduling and it is executed in the boundaries schedule's creation.
This report review project scheduling and management theory, time management functions and delay risks address into scheduling management commonly applied in developed countries and developing countries and Vietnam.
The report study the scheduling and management strategy applied in a construction project in Danang city, Vietnam. From the study case, the report identifies and analyses the practical application of project scheduling management functions and strategy. Then, reviews practices of the project scheduling management and suggest some improvements strategy can be applied



Executive summary 

Rationale of research
This research has been conducted to identify scheduling problems and propose good project scheduling practice and strategy for the owner.
Objectives of study
To identify project delay and risks of project delay in construction stages, and approach to schedule creation to propose owners strategy for project scheduling management.
Methodology
The exploratory research method is used to study delay and understand factors that affect project scheduling management.
By undergoing into project case and practice implementing in scheduling management .
Findings and conclusion
The administration of schedule is the most significant concerns of project management for  project owner, as an investor, mainly concerned about the profitability of investment.
The project scheduling management is resulted from the frame of project management planning and related directly to time aspect in each project.
considering the review of project schedule management, analysing the practice in Project of SHB-Danang Sports and Trainings Complex Centre, 1st phase, a project sponsored by non-state owner resources. The learning from the study is that from the initial stage up to now this project is applied some project management tools and methods to manage cost, time, procurement, etc. And the same to other common projects in Vietnam the scheduling management and time management is always a big challenge to the Owner.
The Owner of project (SHB) wished of completion construction and moving the club into new centres at the end of September 2012 latest. The construction duration is planned maximum of 8,5 months from the earth works till completion the 1st phase. However, the actual performance is slow than schedule and now estimated delay about 5 months hopefully.
The project was traditional design bid and built, each participant team was working well at their responsibility and used computer tools to reduce risk.
But the major problems were in communication and decision making which caused delay and un-professional attitude from owner side.
The team got some unrealistic milestones but overall project management unit from owner side is weak.


Recommendations
To put project schedule on realistic channel owner should focus on following points
·         Set & manage Buffer in the time frame and activities duration.
·         Reduce dependencies by applying tools and methods such as: WBS, OBS, CPM, LSM, PERT and delay risk management.
·         In the estimation of task / activities, should focus on the Critical path, LOB.
·         Develop communication and report mechanism with some tools such as EV, SV, in order to update and adjust baseline making decision of the Owner.
·         Set penalty/ award provision in the contract both to the contractor and the designer.
·         Put realistic milestones into the contract and general time frame and bound to all the project's stakeholders (Owner, PMU, PMC, and contractor, and consultants, designer).

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

SEMINAR on 17 Nov 2012

NEW ISO 9000 IMPLEMENTATION IN CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

Presented 
by 
Mr. Wiboon Tachaipasakul, Specialized Consultant and Registered Auditor in Construction Project Quality Management and Development of Productivity, Massbiz Co.,Ltd. Thailand. 

Mr. Wiboon explained briefly how ISO 9001:2008 is applied to establish and implement the QMS for construction industry for capturing on project-oriented concept in order to meet the specific needs to each construction project. Besides, introduction of Integrated Management Systems (IMS) that combined ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 into a single management system and new ISO 9001:2015 in the construction industry was discussed as well.


Happy VN Teacher's Day!





Saturday, 17 November 2012

SEMINAR
NEW ISO 9000 IMPLEMENTATION IN CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES
CAN THO