Abstract
The successful project definition phase is the corner stone in realising satisfying end products. Regrettably, in this phase there is a lot to improve in the building construction domain. Rushing into the technical solutions is the modus operandi at the moment. Typically, the architect’s first proposal for the building layout acts as the baseline for the decision-making. Too often the analysis of the end user objectives is just asking for comments on the proposed technical solutions. This can easily lead to a loss of value and can cause problems during the use of the building.
It is widely recognized that human and organisational questions need more attention than technical solutions in the early phases of the process. The performance approach has been presented as one potential catalyst for change in this area. The performance approach is concerned with what the building is required to do, not with describing the technical solutions i.e. how it is constructed. The driver for the performance approach implementation in Finland has been a tool called EcoProP. This is a software tool for the systematic management of building project requirements.
In this paper, the current problems in the project definition phase are presented first. Next, the performance approach is introduced. Then, barriers to implementing the performance approach are discussed. Further, the EcoProP tool is illustrated with one implementation case. In conclusion, the use of EcoProP in various countries is discussed.
It is widely recognized that human and organisational questions need more attention than technical solutions in the early phases of the process. The performance approach has been presented as one potential catalyst for change in this area. The performance approach is concerned with what the building is required to do, not with describing the technical solutions i.e. how it is constructed. The driver for the performance approach implementation in Finland has been a tool called EcoProP. This is a software tool for the systematic management of building project requirements.
In this paper, the current problems in the project definition phase are presented first. Next, the performance approach is introduced. Then, barriers to implementing the performance approach are discussed. Further, the EcoProP tool is illustrated with one implementation case. In conclusion, the use of EcoProP in various countries is discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Integrated lifetime engineering of buildings and civil infrastructures |
| Subtitle of host publication | proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium ILCDES 2003 ; Kuopio, Finland, December 1-3, 2003 |
| Place of Publication | Espoo |
| Publisher | Suomen Rakennusinsinöörien Liitto RIL |
| Pages | 1001-1006 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9517584369, 9789517584364 |
| Publication status | Published - 2003 |
| MoE publication type | A4 Article in a conference publication |