Challenges and strategies for confined site construction: The case of personnel, plant and material management (PPMM)

The construction industry is in a point of transition. With the continued onset of global urban expansion and renewal, construction sites where space is a finite, vital resource requiring effective management, are now the norm within the industry. In order to effectively manage this limited space and the key resources within, it is essential to identify the issues and the strategies, to be adopted. The objective of this research and thesis is to identify, clarify and tabulate the various personnel, plant and material management factors and their resulting effects on confined site construction. This is achieved by means of interviews, case studies, focus group analysis, linked to an industry survey. Through the use of cognitive mapping, means testing, regression modelling, factor analysis, system dynamics and structural equation modelling of the collaborated data, the personnel, plant and material knowledge areas are highlighted along with their associated attributes. Results show that the top three personnel management issues and strategies are "Adverse Health & Safety Environment", "Restricted Space Hinders Productivity", "Challenging Surrounding Environment" and "Effective Communication & Coordination, "Implement Health & Safety Protocol", "Early Contractor Involvement" respectively. Contrary to this, research has documented that the top three critical factors in the management of plant and materials, both with respect to issues and strategi.es are; "Safely Store Plant & Materials", "Contractor Spatial Conflict", "Increased Management Facilitation" and "Efficient Delivery Requirements", "Implement Site Safety Management Plans" "Effective Stakeholder Communication" respectively. Finally, the top three strategies in the management of the external environment are; "Regular External Stakeholder Communication", "Reduce Infrastructure Congestion" and "Reduce Visual/Functional Impact". It is highlighted that through effective management of the identified principle knowledge areas identified coupled with implementing the various strategies highlighted; successful management of a confined construction site can be achieved.