Engineering, Project and Production Management: Optimizing Performance in Risky Economic Environments

Engineering, Project and Production Management: Optimizing Performance in Risky Economic Environments

The current edition of the Journal is rather broad in the scope of topics covered and consists of five papers. Three papers contribute to the understanding of performance issues related to production in general and to engineeringbased projects in particular. One paper focuses on financial risk related to project cost uncertainties, and one to policy instruments surrounding the recurring problem of carbon gas emissions to the atmosphere. The paper by M. Salloum of Volvo Construction Equipment analyzes two case studies performed between 2008 and 2011 explaining on the basis of 28 interviews in two firms the ongoing changes in performance measures in the industry. The reasons for the evolution of these measures have been explained, chief among them the need for continuous improvement in a constantly competitive production environment, rather than the changes occurring in internal or external technical or business conditions. S. Al-Otaibi et al. of Saudi Ministry of Interior and Loughborough University (UK) describe potential of the ‘lessons learned' from the adoption of a new Standard Design Model used in the development of the Ministry's construction program to manage its project portfolio and enhance project performance. Typical design projects were reviewed based on eight case studies and interviews with 24 stakeholders involved in the implementation of the model. Fourteen critical success factors were identified and classified into three categories: adaptability to the context, contract management, and construction management. It is hoped that the proposed model will have a significant effect on the improvement of design and construction project performance in the Ministry's portfolio.