Page 35 - IEC Insights May-June21_PAGES

By having a plan, addressing the small distractions, and being able to work in accordance with that plan,
accident probability can be reduced.
Putting this into simple and easily applied terminology, job sites that plan their work in advance with
a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), so that it is visible and easily communicated, will have a baseline
against which more critical measurements can be taken. Using tools such as Short Interval Scheduling (SIS )
to set up the daily tasks and also note the various distractions incurred provides the field team and the office
managers visibility into the small distractions, the little tremors, so that corrective action can be taken before
the larger incidents and accidents occur. In addition, when combined with an ASTM standard job
productivity tracking tool, such as Job Productivity Assurance and Control (JPAC ), the contractor can also
®
monitor the cost impacts of these little discretions directly, and throughout the life of the project.
MCA, Inc. has conducted research into the impact of planning and usage of Agile Construction
®
®
tools, such as the SIS and JPAC mentioned above, on reducing the occurrence and severity of safety
®
®
incidents and accidents. Details on this research can be found in the “Agile Construction for the Electrical
Contractor," second edition by Dr. Perry Daneshgari. A chart which summarizes the highlights of the study ®
is included here in Figure 4.
FIGURE 4: A look at the impact
of planning and avoiding small
interruptions through better use
of project data on safety.
By having a plan, addressing the small
distractions, and being able to work
in accordance with that plan, accident
probability can be reduced.
Putting this into simple and easily applied
terminology, job sites that plan their
work in advance with a Work Breakdown
Structure (WBS), so that it is visible and
easily communicated, will have a baseline
against which more critical measurements
can be taken. Using tools such as Short
Interval Scheduling (SIS®) to set up the
daily tasks and also note the various
distractions incurred provides the field
team and the office managers visibility into Figure 4: A look at the impact of planning and avoiding small interruptions through better
the small distractions, the little tremors, so not only add cost but also increase the vice chair of ASTM Subcommittee E06.81
use of project data on safety.
that corrective action can be taken before risk of safety incidents and accidents. on Building Economics. She has also co-
the larger incidents and accidents occur. Initially these may be small but if they are authored four books on the Industrialization
True cost of distractions article 3-29-21 ver 4
In addition, when combined with an ASTM permitted to continue, then eventually of Construction® and the future of the Page 4 of 5
Confidential
© MCA Inc. 363 E. Grand Blanc Rd, Grand Blanc, MI 48439 / Tel: (810) 232-9797
standard job productivity tracking tool, a larger and more significant, or even industry, and co-authored the industry’s
such as Job Productivity Assurance and catastrophic, event may occur. It is own “Prefabrication Handbook.” Dr.
Control (JPAC®), the contractor can also essential that each contractor put in place Heather has experience working with the
monitor the cost impacts of these little processes to plan the work using WBS®, construction industry, and currently works
discretions directly, and throughout the life and tools such as SIS® and JPAC® to track with contractors and distributors across
of the project. these small events so that they can be the country on process improvement
addressed before they become significant. and productivity measurement.
MCA, Inc. has conducted research into
the impact of planning and usage of Agile Remember, even a few minutes of Phil Nimmo is currently the VP of business
Construction® tools, such as the SIS® and distractions each day can become the development with MCA. Phil has a B.S. in
JPAC® mentioned above, on reducing the accepted norm and can ultimately cost Mechanical Engineering from Michigan
occurrence and severity of safety incidents you hundreds of thousands, if not millions, Technological University as well as an MBA
and accidents. Details on this research can of dollars each year. That is far too much in Technology Management from University
be found in the “Agile Construction® for money to lose over an elevator traffic of Phoenix. With MCA since 1999, he has
the Electrical Contractor,” second edition jam, a port-a-potty location, or any other conducted research projects for several
by Dr. Perry Daneshgari. A chart which seemingly insignificant nuisance. The industries, has lead numerous projects
to help clients implement the research
summarizes the highlights of the study is increased risk of incidents and accidents results effectively incorporating these
included here in Figure 4. is simply too high to ignore. into their businesses, and participated
in publication of both research and case
CONCLUSION Dr. Heather Moore is vice president of study results. Additionally, he has owned
operations for MCA Inc. and has taught and operated several small businesses,
Minor distractions are the result of many numerous classes for the construction and lead operations for a large multi-
things on our job sites, but a common industry and has contributed to several state/multi-location distributor focused
theme is that we tend to accept them and research projects for ELECTRI, MCAA, NHF on serving the needs of contractors.
tolerate them as isolated and discrete and NAW. She holds a Ph.D. in Construction Phil has also lead operations and
events and accept the impact that they Management from Michigan State training departments for certificated air
have on our projects as normal. However, University. Additionally she holds an MBA carriers, managed digital controls, and
these events can, and often do, reoccur and a B.S.E. in Industrial and Operations mechanical equipment installations, and
and become more and more frequent. Engineering, University of Michigan. is accomplished in automotive advanced
As the frequency rises, the cost of the She specializes in process design and product engineering, receiving both U.S.
impact escalates and can become quite operations research. Dr. Heather was a and European patents for vehicle traction
substantial. As work is not able to be contributor to the ASTM Standard E2691, control and antilock brake systems.
performed as planned the changes and she currently holds the position of

www.ieci.org | May/June 2021 | Insights Magazine 33