Monday 26 September 2011

AITVN organizes an Opening Ceremony & Welcome Party

The AITVN organized an Opening Ceremony & Welcome Party for the 5th entry of the Professional Master Program in Project Management in Construction (MPM Program) at the Majestic Hotel on Saturday, 10 September, 2011.

This event was attended by Dr. Amrit Bart, AITVN Director; Dr. B.H.W. Hadikusumo, SET Representative; Mr. Hoang Don Dung, SCQC General Director; Dr. Nakhle Kattan, Project Director of
Nestle Vietnam; and Mr. Nguyen Van Nhan, CEIM
student and Amata Project Manager.

The ceremony was followed by dinner party with raffle draws as an additional entertainment.





Group photo with new MPM students 2011 intake and MPM alumni from 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010



In photo: (L-R) Mr. Hoang Don Dung, SCQC General Director, VIP guest
Mr. Ng Eng Wan, MPM faculty; Dr. Hadikusumo; Mr. Nguyen Van Nhan, CEIM student, Amata Project Manager; Dr. Nakhle Kattan, Project Director of
Nestle Vietnam





Awarding of prizes for the raffle draws

Wednesday 7 September 2011

Quản lý dự án đối với các dự án xây dựng quốc tế

Đặc điểm nổi bật của các dự án xây dựng quốc tế là sự tham gia của nhiều tổ chức quốc tế và quy mô của dự án là rất lớn.

Tại các nước phát triển như Việt Nam có rất nhiều các dự án quốc tế đã và đang thực hiện chẳng hạn như nhà máy điện, đường ống dẫn khí, đường cao tốc, hóa dầu, cũng như các dự án cơ sở hạ tầng công cộng như sân bay, cầu và tàu điện ngầm.

Theo Hofstede (http://www.geerthofstede.nl), mỗi quốc gia có những đặc trưng văn hóa riêng, điều đó được biểu hiện qua đặc điểm chính: một là khoảng cách quyền lực; hai là sự biểu thị giới tính; ba là tâm lý ngại rủi ro; bốn là thuộc tính cá nhân; năm là thiên hướng xây dựng mối quan hệ ổn định. Theo kết quả nghiên cứu của chúng tôi tại Viện Công nghệ châu Á thì những vấn đề về văn hóa có ảnh hưởng đến công tác quản lý dự án. Việc quan trọng nhất đó là giải quyết các vấn đề khi các đối tác tham gia dự án có nhiều đặc điểm văn hóa khác nhau. Chúng ta nên xem xét thuộc tính văn hóa nào có thể mang đến cơ hội cho sự thành công của dự án.

Theo một nghiên cứu đang được thực hiện tại AIT, có ba loại niềm tin có thể được áp dụng trong quản lý dự án xây dựng: niềm tin được dựa trên hệ thống pháp luật, dựa trên sự đánh giá về đối tác của mình và dựa trên mối quan hệ. Tại các quốc gia đã phát triển, sự tin tưởng dựa trên hệ thống pháp luật đóng vai trò quan trọng bởi vì hệ thống pháp luật rất rõ ràng. Riêng tại các nước đang phát triển, niềm tin dựa trên các mối quan hệ đóng vai trò quan trọng bởi vì niềm tin dựa trên hệ thống pháp luật chưa thực sự lớn.

Tóm lại, một số vấn đề then chốt cho việc quản lý thành công các dự án quốc tế như sau:
• Năng lực cá nhân trong quản lý dự án
• Hệ thống quản lý dự án thích hợp
• Am hiểu sự khác nhau về văn hóa và cách quản lý chúng
• Quản lý và thương thảo hợp đồng thích hợp
• Xây dựng niềm tin giữa các thành viên dự án như đã nêu trên.

Chương trình Thạc sĩ chuyên nghiệp Quản lý dự án Xây dựng - AIT đang tiến hành tuyển sinh khóa 5 vào tháng 9/2011. Hạn chót nộp hồ sơ: 10/8/2011.

http://www.professionalprojectmanagement.blogspot.com/

Tp. Hồ Chí Minh
Lầu 6, toà nhà FCC, 45 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, P. Bến Nghé, Q.1.
Tel: 08-39107422 (117) – 01 285 265 168
Ms. Tường (ngletuong@aitcv.ac.vn)

Hà Nội:
B3, ĐH Giao thông Vận Tải, Láng Thượng, Đống Đa
Tel: 04-37669450 (133) – 01 285 687 168
Ms. Lương – luongtth@aitcv.ac.vn

Can Tho:
Trung tâm học liệu, ĐH Cần Thơ
Tel: 0710-3815523
Mr. Phuoc – phuoclt@aitcv.ac.vn

AIT offers Professional Master in Project Management in Construction in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Can Tho and Vung Tau)

Tài chính dự án cho đầu tư hạ tầng tại Việt Nam

Trong hơn hai thập kỷ qua,Việt Nam là nước đứng thứ hai châu Á đạt kết quả cao về xóa đói giảm nghèo, chỉ sau Trung Quốc. Tốc độ tăng trưởng trung bình hàng năm là 7,5% và tỉ lệ đói nghèo giảm từ 51% xuống 8% dân số đã đưa Việt Nam đến con đường trở thành nước có thu nhập trung bình (WB, 2008). Để đáp ứng nhu cầu hạ tầng xuất phát từ mục tiêu xóa đói giảm nghèo, xấp xỉ 11.4% GDP hàng năm cần được cung cấp để đầu tư cơ sở hạ tầng, tăng 2% so với hiện tại. Như vậy, Việt Nam cần xấp xỉ 7 tỉ USD trong năm 2010 để hoàn thành đầu tư vào hệ thống hạ tầng. Trong khi đó, tổng ngân sách từ ODA, chính phủ Việt Nam và người tiêu dùng chỉ khoảng 3.9 tỉ đô la Mỹ (55,7%) như hình. Vậy phần còn lại của ngân sách thiếu hụt là từ đâu? Để trả lời câu hỏi này, chính phủ Việt Nam đã nhận ra sự cần thiết trong việc cải cách thị trường tài chính về việc đầu tư vào các dự án mà trước đây do nhà nước thực hiện và quản lý.


Hình 1: Đầu tư tài chính cho phát triển hạ tầng tại Việt Nam

Thành công của nhiều nước Đông Nam Á chỉ ra rằng hệ thống tài chính cho cơ sở hạ tầng của Việt Nam cần thay đổi từ hệ thống tài chính với các khoản nợ chính phủ và quốc tế thành hệ thống tài chính tư nhân. Đây là lý do giúp cho chính phủ Việt Nam có nhiều thay đổi năng động hơn và thiết lập hệ thống tài chính cho cơ sở hạ tầng theo định hướng thị trường, đặc biệt khuyến khích các thành phần kinh tế tư nhân tham gia. Với nhận thức được tầm quan trọng về vai trò của khu vực kinh tế tư nhân, chính phủ đã và đang phát triển mô hình Hợp tác Nhà nước – Tư nhân (Public Private Partnership-PPP) cho các điều kiện hạ tầng đa dạng.

Mặc dù PPP được ứng dụng để tiến đến việc huy động vốn từ khu vực kinh tế cá nhân từ năm 1990 nhưng khái niệm này chỉ tiếp cận Việt Nam đầu những năm 2000. Tuy nhiên, những bất lợi trong khuôn khổ pháp lý PPP là rào cản chủ yếu ngăn chặn khu vực kinh tế cá nhân đến với các dự án hạ tầng tài chính tại Việt Nam. Để cải thiện tình hình, chính phủ Việt Nam đã phát hành nghị định mới 108 để thay thế nghị định 78 cũ trong năm 2010. Do đó, tiến trình phát triển PPP đã rõ ràng và hiệu quả hơn trước đây. Hy vọng rằng điều này sẽ khuyến khích nhiều hơn sự tham gia của tư nhân vào đầu tư hạ tầng tại Việt Nam.
Điều quan trọng đối với một công ty đầu tư là phải hiểu được cách tham gia vào các dự án PPP. Một khi quyết định tham gia các dự án PPP, các công ty nên biết cách xác định phạm vi tham gia, đưa ra nghiên cứu tính khả thi về tài chính, phân tích ảnh hưởng của các điều khoản nhượng quyền, và kiểm soát rủi ro trong suốt các giai đoạn khác nhau của dự án.

Thông tin liên hệ:
Tp. Hồ Chí Minh: 45 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, P.Bến Nghé, Q.1
Tel: 08-39107422 (117) – 01 285 265 168

Ms. Tường–ngletuong@aitcv.ac.vn
Hà Nội: tòa nhà B3, ĐH Giao thông Vận Tải, Đống Đa
Tel: 04-37669450 (131) – 01 285 687 168

Ms. Lương–luongtth@aitcv.ac.vn


Hội thảo thông tin chương trình tại AIT-VN

- Hà Nội: 9:00, ngày 18/06/2011

- Tp. Hồ Chí Minh: 9:00, ngày 19/06/2011

Prof. Gary E. Griggs gives lecture at AIT-CV

Prof. Gary E. Griggs, an Adjunct Professor in the Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management of the School of Engineering and Technology, AIT-CV delivered a 3-day lecture/course which includes Applied Project Management, Communications and Negotiation Skills, and Legal and Contract Risk Management.

Prof. Griggs is also a Consulting Professor in the Civil and Environmental Department, at Stanford University. Some of his selected projects are:

1. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) System, Bay Area, California
2. Doyle Drive Replacement Project, San Francisco, CA
3. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, Central Subway Project, San
Francisco, California
4. Cooper River Bridges Replacement Project, Charleston, South Carolina
5. East Side Access Project, New York City
6. San Francisco International Airport AirTrain, California
7. Central Puget Sound Region Link Light Rail Facilities Design, Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila,
and Tacoma, Washington
8. State Route 520 Corridor Improvement Project, Seattle, Washington
9. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Response Services
Technical Assistance, Western U.S. and Pacific Territories
10. Mexico City Water Project, Mexico
11. Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit, Taiwan
12. Seoul Metropolitan Subway, South Korea
13. Busan Metropolitan Subway, South Korea
14. Florida High Speed Rail
15. Northeast Corridor Improvement Project, Washington, DC to New Haven, Connecticut
16. Iscor Railroad Electrification, South Africa
17. EFVM Railroad Electrification Study, Brazil





Monday 5 September 2011

World Bank's expert in transportation planning and engineering gives lecture at AIT

Dr. Asif Faiz, an adviser/consultant with the World Bank in transportation planning and engineering, delivered a lecture entitled “The Promise of Rural Roads” on 30 August 2011 at the Milton Bender Auditorium. All students from the field of Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management were encouraged to attend this seminar.

Dr. Faiz’ presentation is based on his keynote address at the 10th International Conference on Low Volume Roads, held in Orlando, Florida in July 2011. Below is the abstract.

Abstract

About 33.8 million km. of roads girdle the earth‘s land mass of 148.9 million sq.km., (an average 0.23 km of road per sq.km of land area); about 61%.of this kilometerage is paved. Nearly all the unpaved roads (13 million km) and an estimated 85% of paved roads (17 million km) are low-volume roads (LVRs) -- with an Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) of less than 1000. These 30 million km of LVRs have a wide variety of geometric and paving standards ranging from barely motor able earth roads to modern high-speed two-lane paved highways. The global asset value (replacement cost) of these LVRs is conservatively estimated at about US$ 7.6 trillion (a lower-bound estimate) equivalent to about 50% of the estimated 2010 Gross Domestic Product of the United States. Beyond this classified system is another realm of designated trails, tracks, and paths as well as minor roads that serve enclave development (mines, industrial estates, agricultural plantations , irrigation schemes, tourism, forestry and so on), that together number into millions of kilometers and also contribute to basic access and mobility.

The presentation reviews the role of rural roads in improving rural connectivity, catalyzing economic growth and reducing poverty, managing natural disasters and man-made crises, sustaining rural livelihoods and enhancing livability. In short the paper highlights the promise of rural roads as a harbinger of opportunity, progress and prosperity. In addition, the presentation discusses what sustainability and its more practical subset--livability, mean in relation to rural roads and how the application of context sensitive solutions to rural roads could help achieve a better balance among the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability.

About the speaker

Dr.Asif Faiz, a Pakistani citizen, is currently an adviser/consultant with the World Bank in transportation planning and engineering. He holds a Ph. D. in transportation engineering from Purdue University and is a Member Emeritus of the Low Volume Roads Committee of the US Transportation Research Board. He has had a distinguished 33 year career in the World Bank including several advisory and management positions. He served as the World Bank's Highways Adviser from 1999-2002, and the Country Manager for Sudan from 2005-08. He is the author of over 60 publications including a book on automotive air pollution. He has received several awards for his professional and research work from ASCE, IRF, Purdue University, and TRB, including the Eldon Yoder Award from the US Transportation Research Board .His professional work covers some 40 countries and he has lived in Pakistan United states, Argentina, Nepal and Sudan.




Friday 2 September 2011

MPM alumni list: December 2008

1. Chu Bien Cuong
Project: Project Management Competency Development: A Case Study of Vietnamese Small and Medium-Sized Construction Firms

2. Nguyen Anh Dao
Project: Delay Causations in Construction: A Case Study Of Pipeline Projects

3. Khuong Minh Dat
Project: Risk Management in the Pre-Commissioning Phase of an Oil and Gas Pipeline Project

4. Nguyen Van Diep
Project: Contract Clauses in EPC Oil and Gas Projects: A Case Study of the Pearl Development Project

5. Mai Do Thuy Dung
Project: Fast-Track Project Delivery Strategy for Civil Engineering and Architectural High-Rise Building Projects

6. Do Hong Hai
Project: Risk Management in Offshore Platform Installation Projects: A Case Study of PTSC Offshore Services

7. Tran Duc Hanh
Project: Owner’s Project Scope Development for Seaport Projects: A Case Study of Sao Mai Ben Dinh Project in Vietnam

8. Nguyen Quoc Hanh
Project: Client’s Project Management Strategy for Fast Track EPC Oil & Gas Project

9. Nguyen Tan Hoang
Project: Managing Subcontractor Schedule Performance in an EPC Contract

10. Nguyen Manh Hung
Project: Subcontractor Claims and Management in EPC Pipeline Projects: A Case Study of PM3 – Ca Mau Gas Pipeline Project

11. Nguyen Quang Hung
Project: Safety Audit in Oil and Gas Exploration Projects


12. Nguyen Hoang Loc
Project: An Owner’s Project Planning Approach for High Rise Building in Design and Construction: A Case Study of PetroVietnam Commercial and Financial Centre

13. Bui Quang Luong
Project: An Evaluation of Problems in International Construction Contract Conditions: A Case Study of the Third Provincial Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project

14. Nguyen Dang Thong Nhat
Project: An Owner’s Project Cost Control Strategy for Building Projects

15. Phan Minh Nhut
Project: Lessons Learned from International Oil and Gas Projects: How PV Engineering Can Improve the Safety Management System

16. Mai Phong Phu
Project: Public Private Partnership Models for a Water Supply Project in Dongnai Province, Vietnam

17. Vo Hoang Phuong
Project: Delay Causations in Water Supply Projects in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam: A Lesson Learned From Nhon Trach Water Supply Project

18. Nguyen Le Hoai Tam
Project: A Conceptual Approach to Green Building Development: Practicalities and Prospects

19. Nguyen Van Thang
Project: Risk Management in an Offshore Fabrication: A Case Study Of “Ca Ngu Vang” Project In Vietsovpetro Joint Venture

20. Nguyen Van Thanh
Project: Quantitative Risk Assessment for the Process System on an Offshore Platform: A Case Study Of QRA for Process System of Platfrom RP-3 of J.V. Vietsovpetro

21. Dang Huu Trinh
Project: Claim and Conflict Management in International Oil and Gas Projects

22. Pham Van Tuan
Project: Safety Improvement Programs in an Oil and Gas Construction Company: A Study of PetroVietnam Technical Services Company (PTSC Production)

23. Dao Manh Tuong
Project: Assessment and Improvement of a Safety Management System: A Case Study of a Diving Contractor in Vietnam

24. Bao Bui Van
Project: Quality Management System for Consultant Supervision for Managing Performance of Building Contractors in Vietnam

25. Lu Dinh Vu
Project: Quality Management System for Supervising Consultants for Managing Performance of Highway Contractors in Vietnam

Tuesday 30 August 2011

List of CEIM alumni: May 2011

Master of Engineering

1. Mr. Hassan Ashraf
Thesis: Claims in Building Construction of Pakistan: A Statistical and Pathogenic Analysis

2. Mr. Thanapon Buaklom
Thesis: Development of Worker Safety Attitude Construct and Model in Oil & Gas Construction Project

3. Mr. Duong Quang Minh
Thesis: Factors Affecting Operation and Maintenance Costs of Ho Chi Minh City Condominium Projects

4. Mr. Nguyen Phung Hai
Thesis: Project Procurement Performance Models: A Case Study of Power Transmission Line Projects in EVN

5. Mr. Asmat Nabi Hotaki
Thesis: Sustainable Construction: A Study of Drivers, Barriers and Design Practices in Building Projects in Thailand

6. Mr. Mukesh Khadka
Thesis: Factors Affecting Constructability Practices in Hydropower Construction in Nepal

7. Mr. Pye Phyo Maung
Thesis: Resource Allocation Strategy for Construction Safety at Hydropower Project: A Study on Shwegyin Hydropower Project in Myanmar

8. Mr. Janeyut Naiyarat
Thesis: The On-Site Behavior of a Construction Project Team during the Implementation of The Planning and Quality System

9. Mr. Nguyen Tuan Tu
Thesis: Strategic Management Implementation of Vietnamese Construction Organizations

10. Ms. Kyawt Phyu Phyu
Thesis: Insurance and Surety Bonds: A Case Study of Petrochemical, Oil and Gas Projects in Myanmar and Thailand

11. Ms. Supatchana Pumpipat
Thesis: Effective Pricing Negotiation Strategy of Variation Claims in Commercial Building Construction

12. Mr. Puoy Puthitha
Thesis: Contractor Prequaification Criteria, Tendering Criteria, and Tendering Procedure in Cambodia Building and Housing Construction Projects

13. Mr. Kittawat Sukosi
Thesis: Quality Management System for Different Construction Project Strategies

14. Mr. Kyaw Min Thu
Thesis: Life Cycle Cost Analysis for Hydropower Projects

15. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Trung
Thesis: Influence of Financial Risk for Project Financing Throughout Real Estate Development Process: A Case Study of a High Rise Apartment Project in Vietnam

16. Mr. Hout Venghong
Thesis: Factors affecting the performance of the international construction contractors (ICCs) Doing Business in Cambodia

17. Ms. Vu Tuyet Mai
Thesis: Orientation Risk Management Model for Pre-Bidding Process in Low-Income Housing Projects with Public Private Partnership in Vietnam

Master of Science

1. Mr. Gentaku Goto
Thesis: Project Life cycle risk management plan in Urban Railway Development Project: A Case Study of Urban Railway Development Applied in Vietnam

Wednesday 24 August 2011

List of CEIM alumni : May and December 2008

May Batch

1. Mr. Phouthasen Sinthavong
Thesis: The Role of Lao Governtment on ADB Operation of Partnership Financin Stratege: Case Study of Vientiane Urbaninfrastructure Services Project

2. Mr. Rathsayam Tiyarathtagarn
Thesis: Factors Affecting Project Delivery Time Delays and Cost Overruns of Project Development at the Royal Irrigation Department of Thailand

3. Miss Surangkana Trangkanont
Thesis: High-end Residential Property Development Process: A Case Study of Projects in Thailand

4. Miss Atcharaporn Suwan
Thesis: A Study of Hotel Renovation Project Management Process in Thailand

5. Mr. Braj Kishor Mahato
Thesis: Conflict Dynamics in Dam Construction Projects

6. Miss Vivi Megawati
Thesis: Financial Management in Construction Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Towards Financial Capability Enhancement: Case Study in Thailand and Indonesia

7. Mr. Pakawat Pormmoon
Thesis: Framework Implementation of Reduc, Reuse, Recycle, and Residual Management Concept for Thai Construction Industry

8. Miss Suphitcha Phoemphoonthanyakit
Thesis: Strategic Planning and Budgeting Allocation of Intermodal Transportation Logistics Development in Thailand

9. Mr. Jirachai Thaewthiang
Thesis: Corporate Social Responsibility in Construction Companies in Thailand: The Case Study of Preuksa Real Estate Public Company Limited

10. Mr. Tran Ngoc Tuyen
Thesis: The Adoption of Sustainable Construction Principles in the Construction Industry in Vietnam

11. Miss Nguyen Thi Xuan Dan
Thesis: Criteria for Selection Process of Local Infrastructure Project in Vietnam

12. Mr. Tran Quang Ninh
Thesis: Public Private Partnership Models for Low-Income Housing Development of Cantho City, Vietnam

13. Miss Pham Thi Cam Tien
Thesis: Sustainable Construction Development Project to Support Tourism Industry in Phu Quoc Island in Kien Giang Province Vietnam

14. Mr. Le Hai Son
Thesis: Cost Control System in Vietnam Construction Company

15. Mr. Nguyen Duy
Thesis: Motivation of Construction Engineers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

16. Mr. Tran Minh Tung
Thesis: Project Time and Cost Management in Water Supply Pipeline Construction in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam: A System Dynamics Approach

17. Mr. Tran Huong Quang
Thesis: Corporate Social Responsibility in Vietnamese Construction Industry

18. Mr. Pham Hoang Anh
Thesis: Enhancing Sources of Funds by Private Participation for Transport Development: Case Study in Ben Tre Province

19. Mr. Truong Vinh Hiep
Thesis: Study of Project Management Personnel Needs for Infrastructure Development in Dong Nai

December Batch

1. Mr. Andreas Adihartanto
Thesis: Safety Rules and Procedures Development and Implementation: A Study on Construction Industries in Thailand

2. Mr. Alvin Agustinus Gahari
Thesis: Workers Participation in Safety Management System in Construction Projects in Thailand

3. Mr. Nguyen Khoa
Thesis: EPC Project Management and Problems: A Case Study of International and Local EPC Contractors of Oil Gas and Petrochemical Projects in Vietnam

4. Mr. Dang The Phuong
Thesis: Quantitative Risk Assessment for the Offshore Platforms in "Vietsovpetro" Joint Venture

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management (CEIM) alumni in January and August 2007

Master of Engineering
1. Mr. Nguyen Viet Dung
Thesis: Risk Management in Port & Waterway Projects: A Case Study of the Southern Focal Economic Area of Vietnam

2. Mr. Phan Thanh Hai
Thesis: Audit Safety Management in Business Progress of Offshore Oil & Gas Project
Case Study: Oil & Gas Projects in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, The Southern of Vietnam

3. Mr. Nguyen Kim The Anh
Thesis: Evaluation of Effective Design Architectural Process

4. Miss Nang Kham Kyi Oo
Thesis: Risk Approaches for Making Go/No-Go Decisions by Thai Consulting Engineering Firms

5. Mr. Pham Hiep Luc
Thesis: Application of Neuro-Fuzzy Networks to Forecast Cost and Duration Variances for Building Projects in Vietnam

6. Mr. Arasavindiran Mariappan
Thesis: Effect of Globalization on the Supply Chain Competitiveness of Large Scale Contractors: A Case Study

7. Miss Ramya Kanaganayagam
Thesis: Kaking Construction Employment Decent Work: A System Dynamics Investigation

8. Mr. James Suvanaphen
Thesis: Technology Selection Practices in Building Construction Projects Through the Perspectives of Design Consultants

9. Mr. Le Phi Hai
Thesis: Business Performance Measurement Framework for Construction Organizations

10. Mr. Aut Thaitrong
Thesis: Performance of Capital Investment Analysis on Project Evaluation in Mass Rapid Transit Projects in Thailand

11. Miss Narumon Jongcharoensub
Thesis: Cost Management Behavior Under Cost Overruns

12. Mr. Somjate Chatutewaprasit
Thesis: Safety Communication in Construction Project

13. Miss Chanagarn Watanantachai
Thesis: Strategic Guidelines for Financial Crisis Management in Thai Small and Medium-Sized Construction Enterprises

14. Mr. Apinun Tantiviriyapan
Thesis: Analysis the Office Market Economic by Using System Dynamic Approach

15. Mr. Nguyen Van Long
Thesis: Project Financing for Power Plant in Vietnam: An Innovative Approach

16. Mr. Dau Xuan Thuy
Thesis: Risks in the Construction of Hydropower Tunnels in Vietnam

17. Mr. Tran Tan Tin
Thesis: An Evaluation of Client Roles in Projects Procured Through the Traditional Process in Vietnam

18. Mr. Dinh Truong Giang
Thesis: Knowledge Sharing Process Within Power Engineering and Construction Company: A Case Study

19. Miss Pham Nguyen Quynh Huong
Thesis: Quality Function Deployment Approach in Apartment Construction Project: A Case Study

20. Mr. Fredy Kurniawan
Thesis: Case Study of Concession Contract in the Public Private Partnership: Financial Clauses Investigation of Don Muang Tollway and Second Stage Expressway in Thailand and Cipularang Tollway in Indonesia

Doctor of Engineering

1. Ms. Suchanya Posayanant
Thesis: Development of KPIS for Local Government Infrastructure Development: The Case of Sub-District (Tambon) Administrative Organization

2. Mr. Oei, Fuk-Jin
Thesis: The Assessment of the Development Role of a Statutory Body from Customer Perspective: A Relational Exchange Approach


3. Mr. Wasan Teerajetgul
Thesis: Knowledge Management in Construction Project Environment

4. Mr. Dussadee Satirasetthavee
Thesis: Optimal Value-Based Pavement Management System

5. Mr. Raju Bahadur Shrestha
Thesis: Factors In Power Purchase Agreements Affecting Investment Flows in Independent Power Production in the Nepalese Environment

6. Mr. Martinus P. Abednego
Thesis: An Examination of the Relationship between Risk Allocation and Project Success on PPP Project through Good Project Governance Assessment: Case Studies of Tollway Projects in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam

7. Ms. Piyanut Vorasubin
Thesis: Management of Strategic Assets for Sustainable Competitiveness of Construction Organizations

8 Mr. Thanet Aksorn
Thesis: Safety Program Performance in the Thai Construction Industry

9. Mr. Thanapun Prasertrungruang
Thesis: Modeling the Dynamics of Highway Construction Equipment Downtime

Friday 19 August 2011

List of the CEIM First Batch in 2006

1. Mr. Bunpot Luttakoon
Thesis: Assessment of Critical Infrastructures: December 2004 Tsunami in the Southern Region of Thailand

2. Mr. Warut Neamnoi
Thesis: Capital Investment Analysis Model From Outputs/Outcomes Framework of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project: The Case Study of the Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit Project

3. Mr. Bhaskar Jyoti Das
Thesis: IT Application for Construction Safety Management: Planning, Monitoring and Trending

4. Mr. Abu Naser Chowdhury
Thesis: Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Infrastructure Projects Financing through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs)

5. Mr. Muhammad N. Mahmood
Thesis: Development of Performance Model for an International Construction Joint Venture: A System Dynamics Approach

6. Ms. Azmeri Rahman
Thesis: Modeling Contractor's and Subcontractor's Trust: A System Dynamics Approach

7. Mr. Arthit Krachang
Thesis: Risk-based Multicriteria Decision Management for a Railway System in Thailand

8. Mr. Nguyen Duy Ninh
Thesis: Stakeholders' Perspective on Risks and Opportunities of Bot Infrastructure Projects in Vietnam: A Case Study of Yen Lenh Bridge Project

9. Mr. Nguyen Tuan Nghia
Thesis: Case Studies on Risk Allocation in Highway Projects Under Bot Scheme in Vietnam

10. Mr. Muhammad Afzal
Thesis: Profiling a Truly World-Class Construction and Engineering Company

11. Mr. Aung Khin Tun
Thesis: Strategic Financial Modeling for Capital Investment Program

12. Mr. Siwachon Limpakornkul
Thesis: A study of safety budgets process in Thai Construction projects

13. Mr. Niraj Baidya
Thesis: Consistency of Safety Management System Implementation: A System Dynamics Approach


14. Mr. Ariono Dhanisworo Indra Budhi
Thesis: Cost Variances During Construction Period: A Case Study of Indonesian Contractors

15. Mr. Prawat Tuptone
Thesis: Constraints-Based Scheduling of Precast Housing Project: A Case Study of Preuksa Village III

16. Miss Yessie Agustina
Thesis: Enhancing Financial Viability Through Government Support Machanism in Public Private Partnership (PPP) Contractual Framework

17. Mr. Allan Janwar Tannaya
Thesis: Subcontractor Management Strategy: An Approach to Manage Subcontractor in Construction Project

18. Mr. Suphachoke Meeampol
Thesis: Project Performance Improvement in the Public Sector: The Case of Thailand

19. Mr. Ektewan Manowong
Thesis: An Assessment of the Performance of Public Hearing as Vehicle of Public Participation in Infrastructure Development Project in Thailand

20. Mr. Surapon Puthamont
Thesis: Strategic Project Selection in Public Sector: Construction Projects in the Ministry of Defence in Thailand

Thursday 18 August 2011

FYI

Did you know that from 2006 to 2011, there are 24 Ph. D., 175 Masters and 115 Professional Masters graduated from CEIM and MPM fields of study? These alumni come from 17 countries, and 80% of these are male.

Thursday 11 August 2011

Delay & Contract Management in Construction

In order to manage a project successfully, project management is very important because this will determine the quality, time, and expense of the project. The process of project management includes:
- Organizing, choosing, advising, and creating investment projects.
- Managing research and investigating projects;
- Analyzing data and evaluating projects;
- Constructing investment projects and profiles for designing the construction’s total estimates will be sent to authorities for approval.
- Signing economic contracts dealing with survey, design, construction, and installation.
- Supplying materials and equipment

The contract is really important since it is not only the basis of payment but also the basis of solving some legal problems. To get well-completed projects, all sides must have knowledge about the conditions of the contract. Managers are searching for the best ways to manage contracts more effectively. By doing so, the project will be more successful.

Mr. Ho Chi Linh made a on Administration Centre and Postgraduates Trainings at Can Tho University to find out the main factors that cause cost inflation, poor quality and delay at all stages of projects. These factors were analyzed in different ways of parties such as the Laws, Authorities, the Owners, the Contractors, Consultants, Sub-contractors. From that, the factors which are effective to prevent and control delays in the project can be seen.

The objectives of his study were to: (1) study the contract management practice of the case study project; (2) analyze the project management problems (time, cost, quality) in relation to contract administration; (3) identify delay causation in construction projects which were completed up to now or are building; and (4) make recommendation for improvement of the future project with similar characters.

Conclusion

Contract management is an important factor which directly affects projects. The contract management includes managing 3 main factors: quality, price and time. Most projects in Vietnam so far have been strongly influenced by these 3 factors, which leads to the poor quality, costs increases or delays. All these problems are popular and are still going on. However, it is possible for us to prevent even during the time the project is on going. With the total area of 18.990 square meters, 9 floors, the total cost is over 133 billion, the Administration and Post-Graduate Building – Can Tho University project is also affected by these factors.

This project was approved by the Ministry of Education and Training in 2008 and the investment was from the government budget. Although it has got supports and grants from the Government, relevant sectors as well as rector board from Can Tho University, the project was still delayed and the original estimated costs still increased due to objective and subjective reasons.

Objective reasons

Dramatic change in market price which affected workers and materials because the rate of price slipping was not specified in the contract.

There have been many problems in the transportation of materials and equipment because the construction site is located right in the center of the city which is very crowded with many students. The supply of materials was limited because of the fluctuation in the market price which significantly affected the progress and quality of the works.

Subjective reasons

The contract is not really logical, which does not express all the regulated contents that can tie the contractors as well as sub-contractors in materials, human sources and finance to implement the works.

The contractors did not provide with enough machines and modern equipment as regulated in the contracts. This is also due to the fact that the contractors selected were not well-qualified and have poor experience.
The contracts did not state clearly the time for the period of pile pressure and experiments, which does not include the time for implementation. This is the reason why the contractors often blame the experimental institutions for delays.

Solution

- Require the contractors to set up a quality management system suitable to project requirements
- Additional engineers, who have got experience about quality management and check equipment before being put into the work
- Contractor Material Supply who are responsible for the quality of their products
- Request the contractor to focus on human resources, equipment and time
- Providing a clear time for each job. Support the contractor to shorten the time.
- Investor has to set up the slippery of price coefficient.
- Having a strict and frequent monitoring, urge the contractors to solve any unexpected problems if occurred.
- Organizing frequent meetings with the contractors to remind and require them to commit and implement all the articles specified in the contract and follow the project timetable.
- Looking for sufficient extra financial sources to compromise slipping rate so as to assure the contractors to implement well with the rest of the project.

● Although there have been certain limitations, the contractors have successfully implemented some works for the project as well as strictly followed the procedure and legal documents. They did well with the work of environmental protection and guarantee the urban scenery, and especially the assurance of work safety. Therefore, there has been no accident in the construction site so far.

● Upon the completion of the project, it will significantly improve the prestige of Can Tho University in general as well as for the work of post-graduate training, scientific research and technology transfer, which promotes Can Tho University to a higher level in the region and in the whole country. This can help Can Tho University become comparable to other universities in the area as well as in the world. This also creates opportunities for the university managers to get access to and study with new technology thanks to good infrastructure because this is the first and biggest building in Can Tho University.

Recommendations

Due to the time as well as the limited scope of the thesis, not all aspects of the project were examined and analyzed. However, based on what has been achieved and not achieved, as mentioned in the conclusion, the following recommendations are proposed for better management to future projects.
- Contracts need to be more detailed with enough articles and regulations, in which all agreements need to be stated clearly.

- Trained engineers specializing in the fields of quality management and cost management.

- The investor should choose capable contractors with enough modern technical equipment as well as financial sources together with sufficient human resources.

- Bid winning price was not lower than the actual price of the project

- Build price fluctuation factor to deal with changing market prices.

- Utilize all funds to ensure implementation of the project.

- Checking materials, components, construction products through quality certificates where production and results of standard laboratory.

- Checking equipment and technology works before installation through quality certificates where production and results of quality testing of equipment.

- Need unified management of construction cost on a clue to avoid cross situation such as is now

- Complete the system of estimating construction

- Additional norms for construction and installation work is not yet in practice the detailed estimates of current, complete content and methods of synthesis unit set up in construction.

- List building , select a method of calculating overall cost consistent with the actual situation in the country, regional and international levels in each period.

His thesis abstract is copied and posted.

Abstarct

Since Vietnam joined the WTO, global platform for the construction industry were opened, bringing many new opportunities and also many difficulties and challenges. But in recent years, most of of projects are behind schedule, exceeding the estimate is very popular to make the management of the project have many difficulties, specially the management contract. In any investment project construction, the key elements necessary to ensure that the range or scope of the project, the total investment (Money) and the progress Time) of project implementation. Three elements make up a triangle project, including Scope - Money - Time is each edge of the triangle project. When an edge that will make these changes, the other edge changed. A project called good management when the triangle is less than the change triangle is created from investment projects approved construction. In fact the work of our building has been lost on the market at the home of their own, most projects are delayed and exceeded the total original investment to affect performance investment results as well as competitiveness.

The cause of the delayed and costs overcome, there are many such as institutional policy, in the uniform of the other central agencies and localities, these factors impact the world market, the capacity of entities involved in construction activities
This study will also discuss on the advantages and disadvantages of EPC contract from both Contractor and Project Company’s point of view and how to manage the EPC contract in accordance with term and condition clauses stipulated in the signed contract documents; how to resolve problems by understanding the contract clauses. However, the improvement of some major clauses are still needed in order to specify and define clearly the duties and responsibilities as well as obligations of involved parties to minimize the conflicts, interfaces, risks and disputes that can be happened during the project execution phase.

Tuesday 9 August 2011

Owner’s Project Quality Management

The business competition in today’s market has been increased swiftly. The customers satisfaction in terms of quality becomes the companies’ primary concern in order to survive. The purpose of the quality management is to make high quality products and focus on customers’ satisfaction. Therefore, the quality management such as ISO 9000, total quality management (TQM), etc have been discussed widely especially in the first class businesses.

PVOIL is one of the leading companies in Petroleum trading. With planned target in 2010, the company concentrates on building, expanding & developing the Petrol retail distribution system. However, the company is having some difficulties in the quality management. Besides, the systems were completed & had high quality.

Mr. Doan Thai Duong made a case study on North Pvoil Petrol Station to research the quality management of the company as well as to set out some solutions in order to complete and improve the quality management of the company & solve the existing difficulties.

The objective of his study is to building quality management of PVOil North Company
Conclusion
After defining the purposes, scope and research methodology, the thesis analyzed arguments such as concept of quality management, quality management procedure in construction works.
On the foundation of analyzing the state, the thesis presented advantages and disadvantages of the construction works quality management of Northern PV OIL through past years, stating objective and subjective reasons for shortcomings, thereof it is a ground for their future development and completion of construction works quality management of Northern PVOIL.

On the foundation of analyzing the practical situation of quality management of construction work in Northern PV OIL, the thesis proposed some completed solutions for the construction works quality management.

His thesis abstract is copied and posted.

Abstract

Petrol station projects quality management in Vietnam.

The study gives a thorough description of the Petrol station projects quality management as practised by the supervising consultant in Viet Nam. The documents and records used in these activities are also reviewed. A model for high level Petrol station projects quality management is defined, including supervising consultants and contractors.

The model depicts the quality management responsibilities and the roles in a scheme relating to Petrol station projects, quality assurance, and the interface between them. The study advances the understanding of how quality management is performed and engages participants in special construction area like Petrol station projects development.

It is very important to assure quality as well as safety of Petrol station projects with the objective to improve the quality of construction projects and to enhance the effect and productivity during PS performance.

The research methodology is highlighted as the main philosophy. Besides, different sources of data will be gathered in this research, including particular project documents, reports from Petrol company, newspapers, construction law and standards in Vietnam etc. An exploratory approach will be adopted by reviewing the available literature to develop a quality management framework for PS projects.

Report the findings of a research study, which was undertaken to examine the underlying factors affecting the quality of a PS project. It also aims to identify factors that show a strong correlation to good quality performance. The ultimate goal is to provide project managers, supervising consultants and contractors with information that can help them become more efficient with their limited resources and, as a result, achieve better quality outcomes.

Friday 5 August 2011

EPC Commissioning Strategy for Gas Pipeline Project

The transportation of natural gas from fields (offshore) to the distribution station onshore is normally conducted by using pipeline and many types of equipment at each station for gas processing before transferring to end users. In distribution station, Contractor assumes quite complex constructions of pipelines. However, most of Vietnamese Contractors are inexperienced and have no enough resources to perform an entire big gas pipeline project, therefore commissioning activities containing many problems that may cause impact on quality, schedule, cooperation and cost are usually sub–contracted.

Mr. Le Quang Son made a case on Block B - O Mon Gas Pipeline Project which focused on offering co-operation, communication methodology, especially for commissioning phase of entire Natural Gas Pipeline Project and also interface between field owner and main end user. The objectives of his study were to: (1) discuss the existing EPC commissioning phase; (2) identify risk factors in commissioning process; and (3) conduct EPC Commissioning strategy Process for Block B- O Mon Pipeline Project

Conclusion

Generally, in sequence, the project performs from the start of the project until the project is put into operation and handover is preceded. The commissioning process is the last and important stage. This stage will show how well the construction phase was done. How the project quality is met with project technical requirement. Commissioning Process for Gas Pipeline Project is not the exception.

The result of case study showed that “the commissioning process should be considered from engineering stage, cost, plan for resource …etc. and contract between Client/Contractor will concern the above ones”. The risk factor may happen if it is properly identified.

Application to general Gas pipeline project and real Block B – O Mon Gas pipeline project, also, this process stipulates the minimum requirements for the flooding, cleaning, gauging, hydrostatic testing, dewatering, drying and commissioning of station control system and pipeline (offshore/onshore). To make sure that the pipeline has been installed successful. Many factors will be affected to commissioning implementation such as: safety requirement for sea conditions along the pipeline routes to be taken into consideration, there is a long distance from pipeline terminal to the gas-field so, coordination is very difficult between contractor/sub-contractor and vendor/supplier. The mobilization/demobilization of resourses is vast amount. In addition, height safety requirement for petroleum project, the project has negative impact on the environmental of bulky areas along pipeline. Hence, the strict coordination procedure/contact point with local authorities is very important during commissioning implementation.

However, commissioning activities are not easy to control due to the specification commissioning strategy for pipelines project.

Recommendation

The report shows the status of existing gas pipelines in Vietnam and Block B- O Mon pipeline project which is under development, the advantage/disadvantage of EPC contract in general and how to apply in Block B- O Mon pipeline project. The commissioning is a process that should be considered as contraction phase if the project is targeted to run efficiently. Based on the general project commissioning process, the report concerning the real status of project and propose the commissioning project strategy for Bloc B- O Mon pipeline project as well.

The recommendations for management of commissioning process are as follows:
o It is important to have a good plan not only for commissioning work but also for the whole construction phase which reduce the too many interfaces. In this case, the Client signed a contract to hire telecommunication service with Vietnam Telecom International (VTI) who will take interface between offshore topside and onshore control system and license of telecom equipment also.

o The cost for commissioning phase will be concerned during engineering cost estimating stage.

o The detail plan mobilization/demobilization necessary equipment for work must be arranged probably. Review the quality document and certificates completed with conformance, inspection of materials and equipments are also necessary.

o It is essential to have detailed internal/external cooperation procedure of commissioning requirement. The organization chart/contact point with internal and external must also clear.

His thesis abstract is copied and posted.

Abstract

Oil and Gas projects have been continuously building to get the oil/gas from offshore fields to shore for energy industrial. The transportation of gas from fields (offshore) to the shore is normally by using the pipeline. The Gas Pipelines constructions are quite difficult perform so the commissioning activities for gas pipeline project are difficult more than, that cause of low quality, delay and over cost of project. In some case, the risk occurrence leads to delay the whole project complex. The negative impacts to project (cost and schedule) at CLIENT and CONTRACTORS, or even serious disputes between the involved parties could be raised if no precautions are undertaken.

Commissioning phase is an important part of the decision-making cooperation procedure of all partners who will involve responsible to project. Quality of project don’t met quality requirement of premise target set up and uncertainty can potentially have damaging consequences for some construction projects. Risk can affect productivity, performance, quality, and the budget of a project. Risk cannot be eliminated, but it can be minimized, transferred or retained (Burchett, 1999).

In this report, a EPC commissioning strategy phase of gas pipeline project is presenting.

Thursday 4 August 2011

Owner’s Contract Management Strategy for Housing Project

In recent years, lots of housing projects have been establishing in Can Tho area. However, the majority of project is delayed and has poor quality due to major reasons such as land acquisition, contractor capacity, inflations etc. Morever, the current capital for land acquisition is higher than previous estimates because of the compensation policy and resettlement supporting policy changed.

Because of the characteristics of the construction industry, project management and contract management in Vietnam still face many difficulties because there are no legal regulations which are strict and sync. In addition, the engaged parties who have not being trained entirely are lack on the basic knowledge about the importance of the management and implementation of contracts in construction when they participate in construction activities.

The contract is very important. It is documentation not only for payment, but also for solving problems. Thus, in order to completely implement the project, all parties should understand the full knowledge and conditions of the contract. Transparency becomes essential requirement and third-party system need to be set up (including investors, contractors and consulting engineers) and all works are done based on contract. Management structure in order to publicize the project implementation process must be established, which clearly stated.

Mr. Le Minh Nhut made a case study on the residential project in Can Tho City which objectives were to: (1) study existing contract strategy in terms of contract packages, contract conditions, risks and contract management; (2) discuss the existing contract management strengths and weaknesss in Viet Nam; and (3) propose recommendations for improvement in contract management.

Conclusion

Management in construction contract still has shortcomings due to the unclear roles of each party in the contract, and unspecific regulations. The application of policies and procedures in the contract management are not sync. The parties in the contract are not thoroughly trained to manage the contract effectively.
Recommendation

The following are the recommendation for improvement in term of contract management:


Abstract

Nowadays, there are more and more construction project in Vietnam. However, the successful projects are not much because of weakness in management. Project management is a complex process. Only good management can bring the succeed to project. In this report, I would like to discuss more about problems and solution of contract management in a real project.

Contract management is the most important. If project has strong contract management, it would be easy to get the effectiveness. It is depending on the whole parties involved which are responsible to the project such as government, owner and contractor. All of them have to work together for running project smoothly and efficiently. In addition, it is necessary for the government to establish the policies, procedures and regulations in order to lead the owner and contractor do the right way with the right thing. Moreover, both parties in the contract also have to comply strictly the law and do the contract works in full compliance with the contract agreement.

To manage the contract effective and efficiency, the parties concern involve in the contract need to be trained thoroughly and working transparently in term of time, cost and quality of the project. Besides, it is need continue to improve the institutional and contractual payment in the construction sectors based on the principle of equality and respect between each party. Resolving the disputes under the arbitration with the consistent law of Vietnam and international practices.

Tuesday 2 August 2011

Public Private Partnership In Urban Development

PPP models have been applied in many countries around the world and some infrastructure sectors are more conductive to PPP than others. In which, the power sector and transport sector have received most PPP model. There are ranges of reasons including better potential for cost recovery, higher political commitment due to the sector’s importance for country economic growth etc. Nevertheless, this does not mean that PPP in other sectors is without prospects. With appropriate modalities, support for capacity development, and political commitment to sector reform, PPP is feasible in others sectors as well.

Urban development plays important role in country development; the possible good of urbanization can solve many problems such as housing, environment, infrastructure systems etc. As infrastructure development project, a huge budget needed to urbanize. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trong made case study to carry out the way to apply PPP model in urban development project, especially in Mekong delta in Vietnam base on real project which has been implemented in Soc Trang province in Vietnam.

The main objectives of his study were to: (1) study existing regulations and law affecting PPP project in Vietnam; (2) study theories and standard guideline and its applications of PPP in urban development projects; (3) analyze PPP Soc Trang province project in terms of structure, risk, law compliance and financing structure and compare to the theory and the standard guideline in order to find out the successful and problems in the project; and (4) propose recommendation for improvement

Conclusion

It is estimated that urban area of Vietnam account for 70% of economic growth and contain around 30% of the population, it is believed that urban development will occur quickly to meet the social demand. The private sector is encouraged to be more involved in urban development by providing resources. In order to have more private sector participation, government supports and clear understanding among the stakeholders, especially in term of risk perceptions, such as potential risks, possible sources of risks as well as risk management strategy are very important.

This project case study had analyzed the success of the project in terms of land acquisition and resettlement, approval from Government Agencies, participation of private sector and also social benefits.

Land acquisition: The success of land acquisition based on proposed compensation land price by the government is equal to actual market land price. In addition, the land owner will receive 10% residential land area in the resettlement sub-project in the line with total land area affected by project.

Approval from Government Agencies: It takes short time for getting approval from Government Agencies due to the procedures to carry out the project strictly with Law on housing and the necessary to implementation project.

Participant of private sector: The most successful of participation of private sector in this project are:

Government offices have a little knowledge about private –public partnership and recognize the important role of private sector in supporting economic growing of the province.

Private sector’s constant skepticism toward the government will be gradually reduced.

Social benefits: The project has maximized the land resource for economic development, changing the value of agriculture land with low productivity by residential land with high value.

Local government orient, regulate and control initiative to stabilize the real estate market in order to overcome the spontaneous development, not follow the urban master planning of the city.

On the other hand, this project case study has identified what kind of government problems including the sources of problem in order to help determine the most strategy solution base on Good Project Governance (GPG) concept and the guideline of WB.

The main problem related to government responsibility in this project is no contract between Public agency and private sector. Without contract, many problems can be encountered in this project, such as:
- The fairness was not achieved.
- Government supporting was not achieved.
- Clear mechanism was not achieved.
- Risks identification was not achieved.

The second problem in this project is no financial modeling, so all key drivers underpinning, and variables likely to impact upon the financial performance of project are not identified. There are no financial feasibility assessment models which can become valuable management tools in all anticipated operating circumstances.

Base on this case study, the lesson that can be drawn is that urban development projects which carried out through PPP approach will be successful when achieving two conditions:
- Urban master plan must be suitable with short term and long term purpose and satisfy with varying demands;
- Advisers must be hired in order to design adaptation mechanisms to new or unforeseen circumstance.

Recommendation for further research

Urban development project always has short term as well as long term purposes and its life cycle is very long, so during its life cycle there are many policies, decisions of local government will impact directly in the efficiency of the project.

For instance, in this project, the local government is implementing an investment concentrated administrative building project adjacent to this project, therefore, in the near future; the value of residential land in this project will be increased. So it is very necessary to research the impact of local government‘s policies on the efficiency of project in order to identify the way of sharing risks and benefits between public sector and private sector in PPP project.

His thesis abstract is copied and posted.

Abstract

For procuring public works projects, Public Private Partnership is a well established methodology in Vietnam for recent years, especially in infrastructure projects. Due to supplying the private sector’s expertise, efficiency, innovation, risk sharing, financing etc. into public project, the quality of public facilities and services can be uplifted.

Public Private Partnership models have been applied in many countries around the world and some infrastructure sectors are more conductive than others, especially it is hardly to find urban development project carried out base on Public Private Partnership approach.

In order to compare with other procurement method, it is important to understand the local situation by an analysis of the project conducted to date. Lessons learn can be applied to other projects or to derived in to legal framework. This project case study will carry out the way to apply Public Private Partnership model in urban development project.

The aim and objectives of this study were achieved via a understanding literature review, deep case study analysis in term of successful and problems encountered and recommendation for improvement.

Tuesday 26 July 2011

Resources Allocation Strategy for Construction Safety at Hydropower Project

Huge scale project such as hydropower projects takes a very long time to fully finish. The construction process is extremely complicated with so many risks involved. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out research to identify, evaluate as well as the monitor the risk sources; to strengthen the control of the potential accidents, to prevent and respond to the severe accidents and to allocate the resources effectively for the construction safety programs during the process of the construction of hydroelectric projects.

Mr. Pye Phyo Maung made a case on Shwegyin Hydropower Project in Myanmar which objectives were: (1) to identify and evaluate hazardous level of the accidents that may occur at the various works of the Hydropower Projects, based on the risk factors which may cause the accidents; incorporated with the former history of accidents cases and experts’ experiences by using LEC method, and then to evaluate the rating of each type of works with respect to the resources allocation strategy at the Hydropower Projects by using the resulted accident hazardous levels from LEC method; and (2) by applying AHP method, to analyze and calculate prioritization of the most effective safety programs with the resources allocation strategies through the specification of the relevant weight of each safety program for the construction safety at Hydropower Projects

Conclusion

For objective number 1.

Based on the analysis results from LEC method indicated that the resulted hazardous levels of accident types were different for each construction work such as follows:

For scaffolding work, the resulted hazardous level (resulted D; it was calculated by averaging all hazardous levels of related risk factors) for each accident type is:
a. “Falling from height place” is level 1 which means “extremely hazardous”.
b. “collapse” and “object hitting”, the resulted hazardous level is also level 1.
c. “fire” and “electric shock”, the hazardous level is level 2 which means very hazardous”
d. “others”, the hazardous level is level 3 which means “quite hazardous”.

For concrete work, the resulted hazardous level of:
a. “electric shock”, “uncontrollable contact between men and materials such as cranes, various types of vehicles” and “others” is level 1.
b. “fire” and “impact from equipment and materials handling”, the resulted hazardous level is level 2.
c. “objects hitting”, the resulted hazardous level is level 3.

For excavation work, the resulted hazardous level of:
a. “earth collapsing”, “mining hazards such as the use of explosives”, “uncontrollable contact between men and materials such as cranes, excavator etc”, “inherent engineering hazards such as the presence of injurious gases, toxic dusts” is level 1.
b. “electric shock” and “others”, the resulted hazardous level is level 2.

For embankment work, the resulted hazardous level of:
a. “embankment collapsing”, “uncontrollable contact between men and materials such as vehicles, cranes etc”, “falling from high places”, and “electric shock” is the level 1.
b. “impact from equipment and materials handling”, the resulted hazardous level is level 2.
c. “others”, the resulted level 3.

For plant installation work, the resulted hazardous level of:
a. “hazards associated with erection the heavy materials such as turbines, boiler plant etc” and “electric shock” is level 1.
b. “uncontrollable contact between men and materials such as vehicles, cranes etc”, “impact from equipment and materials handling” and “Fire”, the resulted hazardous level is level 2.
c. “Others”, the resulted hazardous level is level 3.

According to the data analysis results, the rating of Excavation Work is “1” which means that the overall hazardous level of all types of accident at Excavation Work is the highest. In other words, it means that Excavation Work is the first priority with respect to the resource allocation for construction safety. For Embankment Work, the rating is “2”. For Scaffolding Work and Concrete Work, the rating is “3”. For Plant Installation Work, the rating is “4”, and it is the lowest. These rating of construction works can also be applied for the pair-wise comparisons of those works in the second level of AHP hierarchy.

For the objective number 2.

The data analysis results from AHP method showed the scores of Safety Programs for Prioritization of resource allocation. These scores are the effectiveness of each safety program on all types of construction work at Hydropower Project. Safe Practices and Procedures, Health and Safety Rules and Responsibilities are equal, and they have the highest scores for priority.

Moreover, Joint Health and Safety Committee, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, Training, Worker Orientation and Emergency Procedures are nearly equal and have middle scores for priority. Furthermore, First Aid and Medical Services, Inspections and Hazard Assessments, Reporting and Investigating Accidents, Health and Safety Promotion are also nearly equal and have the lowest scores for priority.

By applying these resulted scores, the decision makers can easily decide how to allocate resources on each type of the effective safety programs in the cases of implementing, monitoring, evaluating, adjusting those programs for the Hydropower Projects. In conclusion, there are many evidences that AHP method has been used in many areas such as strategic planning, resource allocation, source selection, business/public policy, program selection and many more. In this thesis, it is obvious that Analytical Hierarchy Process method can also be used in the case of resources allocation for construction safety at Hydropower Projects.
His thesis abstract is copied ang posted.

Abstract

For most of Hydropower Projects, the scale is very huge, rather long time is required in order to finish the projects, and the construction process is also very complicated, involved with very high risks. For the successful promoting health and safety, planning, organization, leadership, control, evaluation, inspecting, investigating, recording, analyzing and reporting are in the important role. An effective safety program includes all these parts. It is needed to be designed to make the most of available time and resources in preventing accidents and occupational disease. Therefore, it is urgent to make a research on how to allocate resources effectively for the construction safety at Hydropower Projects. This study is especially dedicated for identifying and evaluating hazardous level of the accidents that may occur at the various works of the Hydropower Projects, by using LEC method, based on the risk factors which may cause the accidents and then evaluating the rate of each type of works with respect to the resources allocation strategy at the Hydropower Projects by using the resulted accident hazardous levels. Then, it is dedicated to analyze and calculate prioritization of the most effective safety programs with the resources allocation strategies through the specification of the relevant weight of each safety program resulted from AHP method. To cope with those objectives, AHP method and LEC method are major tools in this Thesis. The result reveals that Safe Practices and Procedures, Health and Safety Rules and Responsibilities are equal, and they have the highest scores for priority. Moreover, Joint Health and Safety Committee, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, Training, Worker Orientation and Emergency Procedures are nearly equal and have middle scores for priority. Furthermore, First Aid and Medical Services, Inspections and Hazard Assessments, Reporting and Investigating Accidents, Health and Safety Promotion are also nearly equal and have the lowest scores for priority. These results are in the meaning of the effectiveness of the safety programs on the overall works at Hydropower Projects. By applying these resulted scores, the decision makers can easily decide how to allocate resources on each type of the effective safety programs in the cases of implementing, monitoring, evaluating, adjusting those programs for the Hydropower Projects.

Monday 25 July 2011

Red Book FIDIC Contract Management and Problems

Why FIDIC red book is very essential for contract management especially for ADA funded projects in Vietnam? Mr. Pham Thanh Trung made a case study in the Project of Wastewater Disposal in Provincial Towns, Programme South, Can Tho which 2 primary objectives were to: (1) study FIDIC Red Book contract structure and contract management related; and (2) analyze the problems occurring in the application of FIDIC Red Book contract to this project, with perception looking from Vietnam law system, Engineer and Contractor and finally to propose recommendations.

Conclusions

The fundamental problems occurred during the application of FIDIC Red Book in this case study project include: choosing the wrong contract form, rejecting the main contents in FIDIC Red Book such as measurement and variations, contract price adjustment, and contract volume. In addition, the specific requirement in particular conditions did not clearly defined about responsibilities, procedures, manners and processes.

The study also helped the Employer to understand about their roles in the project’s delivery; involvement in preparing a management team with knowledge and experience, controlling the work of contractor as well as the Engineer, defining conflict between FIDIC Red Book and Vietnam Law system and provide solutions to resolve them.
Recommendation to improve the effectiveness in application of FIDIC Red Book

To apply FIDIC Red Book Conditions effectively in ODA projects in Vietnam, from this case study, the author come-up with the following conclusions:

1. FIDIC Red Book strongly recommends that the complete design shall be prepared by independent and impartial Engineers whom have enough experiences and skills.

2. The General Conditions for every project should be followed strictly from FIDIC Red Book, especially with some important clauses as Clause 12 Measurement and evaluation, Clause 13 Variations and adjustments and Clause 14 Contract price and payment.

3. The Particular Conditions should be included any changes or additional clauses which the parties have decided to include for adaptation of the local and project requirements. The Particular Conditions must ensure clear responsibilities, procedures, manners and processes for all requirements.

4. When any problems occur, all members of construction project should be closely followed to regular basis procedures, such as Sub-Clause 3.5 Determinations, Sub-Clause 2.5 Employer’s claims, Sub-Clause 20.1 Contractor’s claims etc. Besides, they should be considered to all events, circumstances and factors affecting to the problems. For this purpose, the documentation work is very important to timely record, collect and store every information as well as evidences of events.

His thesis abstract is copied and pasted below:

Abstract

In recent years, ODA has become an important resource to help the Vietnamese government develop infrastructure, education and environmental improvements. Many important projects using ODA funds have been completed and operate effectively, contributing to the economic and social development.

Besides the positive aspects of this project model, there are so many limitations and shortcomings during the implementation process which led to ineffective projects. Limitations, shortcomings are source from site clearance, lack of management experience to run the project. Besides, these project models are requiring complying with the Conditions of the sponsors, and these regulations are direct to protect the interest of sponsors.

One of the document are usually apply by sponsors is FIDIC red book contract. In original, this document is an appropriate regulation for every construction contract follow international regular. However, during the applied, the sponsors and their consultant usually adjust and add more sub clause in particular Conditions for their advantage.

Within this writing, I would be analyzed the problems occurred during the project implementing which follow the FIDIC contract. Includes attitude and solutions of the sponsor, the consulting units, the client and the contractor, and the direct effects due to these problems cause. From the standpoint of a project manager, combine with existing management rules, I would like to suggest solutions to process problems to ensure harmony and efficiency of the project.

Thursday 21 July 2011

Project Management in New Urban Project

Can Tho City is one of the five central cities, a center of economics, politics, culture, education - training of the Mekong River delta. It is a young city in the process of urbanization to become a powerful modern industrial city in 2020. As reported by Can Tho Department of Construction new urban projects are being invested and constructed with a total area of 1700 ha.

Although the urbanization in Can Tho City is very important and developing quite quickly, the process of implementation of its new urban projects raises some serious problems to be taken into consideration. According to the recent report of Can Tho Department of Construction, new urban projects in Can Tho city are encountering problems such as:

1. Most projects were small in scope; the planning was not consistent and modern. There were many limitations in managing planning and projects.

2. There was not sufficient care and attention to quality control and costs management. The work of examination and inspection was not done strictly.

3. The investment for new urban areas faced many problems and risks such as: changes in policies from the government, shortage in financial resources, the ups and downs of the real-estate market, changes in material prices.

4. The safety management in construction was limited, which was not frequently checked to assure safety at work.

5. The progress of most new urban residential areas was especially all late in comparison to the original plan. Usually, each project was from 3 to 5 years longer than the plan.

Mr. Huynh Thanh Su made a case study Hung Phu New Urban Area Project in Can Tho City which objectives were to: (1) study the project management theories applicable in urban project development; (2) study the existing project management process of new urban development; and (3) analysis the effectiveness of the existing project management process in terms of project management functions, process and outcomes (i.e. cost, quality and schedule)

Conclusion

Industrialization has taken place very fast and strongly all over the world in general and in Vietnam in particular, and it will continue to happen even faster in the future. Constructions works, projects for urban development and new urban areas expand every day. These projects have played major role in improving people’s living environment. However, there has been inadequate attention on researching and applying theories and process of project management in new urban areas for each particular place at a specific time. Therefore, this research paper aims at studying theories in project management in developing cities and the process of managing new urban areas in Vietnam. From the analysis of the quality of project management (managing time, costs, quality and risks) in this case study; the following conclusions were drawn:

Objective 1: Studying theories on project management with the application on new urban projects.

This is done mainly through the study of all documents to accumulate knowledge and methods of project management that were studied previously. From this, main functions of project management and the process of project management in different stages are identified. From all of these, strengths, weaknesses and specific suggestions for real project management tasks are proposed.

Objective 2: Studying the management process for new urban areas in Vietnam.

New urban areas are developing very fast in big cities in Vietnam. The study on current legal documents, mechanism, local policies, the procedure and process of new urban management which have been applied into a specific project can help us find out strengths, weaknesses of the managing process for the management of new urban.

From this, it can be concluded that projects for new urban area development in Vietnam are rather complicated with regards to their investment procedure and process. Although project managing procedures in recent years have become clearer and stricter, in reality, however, its application seems to show many limitations that need to be improved.

3. Objective 3: Analyzing the effectiveness of project management process.

Through the analysis of some major tasks in project management e.g. time, costs, quality and risks, in Hung Phu new urban area, the following conclusions were drawn:

a) In terms of time management:

The whole time for the project was 8 years, which was much slower than the time set in the FS (3 years). Almost all items in the project were slower than in the planned timeframe. The main reason was identified, which was the delay in land clearance (about 7 years after the project initiated) and the uncertainty in financial resources for the implementation of the project. All of these show that there were many limitations in the work of planning and setting the timeframe for the project that needs to be improved.

b) In terms of costs management:

Although the investor implemented the costs management following the current regulations, the estimated costs for the whole project were not accurate due to the delay and the extension of time for the project (the total capital and costs). Therefore, there was a shortage of capital for construction and payment in the stage of execution.

c) In terms of quality management:

In general, project quality management has been implemented in accordance with all the current regulations. However, due to the fact that the examination for all conditions for starting the project (the land clearance must be finished before the project started) was not done well, as well as the poor work of checking the contractors’ ability, the duration of the whole project was much longer, which increased the costs of the whole project and also the product price and affected the quality of the whole project.

d) Risks management:

Although risks have been identified, analyzed, evaluated and plans to deal with them have been developed, the work of risks management for the whole project was not professional and effective.

However, in general, the whole project has gained certain success in financial aspects including: turnover, profit which increased many times in comparing with the expected amount in the FS and all other financial criteria were all positive. The project has successfully developed a new urban area that can meet the demands for housing and urban sustainable development in Can Tho City (social effects). To gain this success, the project management plays a very important role.

His thesis abstract is copied and posted.

Abstract

This thesis paper aims at studying theories in project management that have been studied previously with their application first of all in the management of new urban areas in Vietnam in general and in the case study, Hung Phu New urban area project in Can Tho City.

The thesis analyses the tasks of project management in Hung Phu Project with a focus on the management of time, costs, quality and risks in comparison with theories in project management, from which suggestions for better management tasks for new urban projects are proposed.

From the case study of Hung Phu project, it can be seen that the task of time management was not done properly and effectively due to the problems in land clearance. This, in turn, affected the costs, products prices and the general quality of the whole project.

The thesis proposes that a profound understanding of all legal documents related to the task of project management and to the specific project is of great importance. In addition, the management of time for the project can be seen as the key factor that brings effectiveness to the management of costs, quality and risks of each project. This requires that the work of land clearance should be paid more attention to as this is considered as the number one cause for any delays and lateness of a project.