"Using System Dynamics to better understand quality management in the construction industry "Olafsdottir, A. H., et al. (2019). Int. J. Productivity and Quality Management.  26 (2)

System dynamics was applied to evaluate the use of quality management in the construction industry. Results were reached with the following: 1) a background study; 2) group model building; 3) a case study of a construction project; 4) a simulation model. The main objective of the study is to assist in minimising the total quality cost for a construction project with the holistic approach system dynamics offer. The model offers a unique contribution to the possibility to be adapted to other projects. It can then be used to minimise cost with suggested dynamic policies. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the first to offer a system dynamics approach to evaluate the cost of quality in a construction project. The results give a link to the literature with a comparison between simulation outputs and Juran’s (1988) graphical representation of the total cost of quality.

 

"A System Dynamics Approach to Quality Management in the Construction Industry". Olafsdottir, A. H. (2016).  Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. Háskólaprent, Reykjavík, Iceland, University of Iceland. Philosophiae Doctor.

Abstract: In this thesis, system dynamics are applied to evaluate aspects of quality management in the construction industry. The outline of the thesis is centred round interlinked papers and questions in order to develop an understanding of the need and potential for improvement. This thesis builds progressively on an understanding of the causes of the problems identified, which have set the objectives for the research. The main research questions were the following: 1) What variables are necessary to form a dynamics model of quality management in the construction industry? 2) How can the concept of an active quality management system be defined in relation to the construction industry? 3) What is the value of a stakeholder group model building approach to form causal loop diagrams in a messy non-corporative problem? 4) Can a system dynamics model be used to assist policy making for investments in a quality management system? The results presented in the papers published in relation to the Ph.D. project were reached with a four layered study, i.e. 1) with a quantitative background study in the Icelandic construction industry, 2) with stakeholder group model building sessions with highly influential stakeholders, 3) with interviews and data analyses based on the grounded theory to study group model building, and 4) with a case study of a construction project in Iceland. The core model was created in the second layer, in the group model building sessions. It was then adapted and illustrated with a case study of a construction work in Iceland. The model was used to assess the benefits of processes related to the quality management system which was implemented in the project. Upon completion, the project results were analysed and systematized in a management learning system. Among the unique contributions from this research are that the model structure can be used to adapt to other construction projects and the results can be used to minimize total quality cost.

 

"Defining the variables for a dynamic model of quality management in the construction industry: results from stakeholder group model-building sessions."Olafsdottir, A. H., et al. (2016). International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management19(2): 187-208

The objective of the research is to develop a framework that can be used to gain understanding on the system and might be used to build a system dynamic model. The results are based on the outcome from stakeholder group model-building sessions, involving stakeholders representing different groups. The sessions were held in connection with a PhD project aimed at developing a system dynamic model to evaluate the benefits from a quality management system in the construction industry. The main findings are the definition framework of the variables that could be used as a foundation for a system dynamic model and a suggestion of how the concept of an active quality management system in the construction industry can be defined in a causal loop form. These findings are great value for the construction engineering and management community and an important step towards a formulation of a system dynamic model.

Olafsdottir, A. H., et al. (2012). Active use of quality management system (QMS) in the construction industry. the 30th International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, St. Gallen, Switzerland, System Dynamic Society.

Olafsdottir, A. H., et al. (2013). Poster: Active use of quality management system in the construction industry. the 31st International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, 2013 Cambridge, Massachusetts USA.