Date of Award
3-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Engineering Management
Department
Department of Systems Engineering and Management
First Advisor
Benjamin R. Knost, PhD
Abstract
Troop construction can be an effective tool when a project is simple enough to execute projects in a timely and cost effective manner. However, underlying variables plague these projects causing them to miss anticipated deadlines which in return could make them more costly. Significant variables that convey impact to cost and schedule are Equipment Operating Issues, Edits During Construction, Design Flaws, Lack of Communication, Poor User Coordination, Improper Documentation, Inaccurate Submittals, Low Quality Control, and Lack of Experience. Project engineers and project managers must provide effective continuity as well as improve their own competence and situational awareness to effectively mitigate or eliminate the impact these variables will have on a project. Troop construction is used primarily to train personnel when stateside, but to effectively train personnel, the leaders must be confident, knowledgeable, and improve their risk management strategies. Creating uniform practices between squadrons that are effective measures to appropriately communicate requirements and issues will improve overall project success. Troop construction units should improve current processes by using continual feedback from previous work and praising innovation to limit infractions. Units should also look to promoting professional credentialling for personnel to improve competence and reinforce the idea of over-communicating between stakeholders in projects to limit scope creep, construction edits, and programming issues. Ensuring equipment is operational prior to arrival and properly scheduling logistics lowers the likelihood of large schedule delays and cost overruns. Finally, a focus on developing members throughout the chain of command improves not only their competence but the confidence in work leading to better quality in projects as well as managing the risk with variables that directly affect schedule delays and cost overruns.
AFIT Designator
AFIT-ENV-MS-24-M-177
Recommended Citation
Wilkens, Richard H., "Root Cause Analysis for Troop Construction Schedule Delays and Cost Overruns" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 7779.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/7779
Included in
Other Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons, Risk Analysis Commons, Training and Development Commons
Comments
A 12-month embargo was observed for posting this work on AFIT Scholar.
Distribution Statement A, Approved for Public Release. PA case number on file.