Browsing by Author "Gonzalez, Vicente"

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    Analysis of Factors Influencing Productivity Using Craftsmen Questionnaires: Case Study in a Chilean Construction Company
    (ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS, 2011) Rivas, Rodrigo A.; Borcherding, John D.; Gonzalez, Vicente; Alarcon, Luis F.
    Improvement of productivity in construction has been a major industry challenge, given its high impact on project results. It has received increased attention from construction researchers promoting different enhancement actions, since analyzing factors affecting labor productivity is an instrumental part in this process. This paper focuses on identifying and understanding the productivity factors affecting projects in a Chilean construction company on the basis of questionnaires administered to both direct workers and midlevel employees. Analysis of the questionnaire results helped to determine organizational and managerial weaknesses and facilitated comparison of the findings with previous productivity studies. The results proved to be useful in developing recommendations for productivity improvements. The main findings indicate that the critical areas affecting construction productivity were related to materials, tools, rework, equipment, truck availability, and the workers' motivational dynamics. These results are similar to those obtained in previous studies in the United States and in Chile. Salary expectations were found to be the main reason for turnover in the studied company, which was an aspect not mentioned in previous studies. Finally, additional analyses seem to show that some factors affecting productivity are common to construction projects across boundaries, therefore validating data aggregation and the possibility of learning from experiences in different locations and even separated in time of occurrence. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000274. (C) 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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    Improving Planning Reliability and Project Performance Using the Reliable Commitment Model
    (2010) Gonzalez, Vicente; Alarcon Cardenas, Luis Fernando; Maturana, Sergio; Mundaca, Fernando; Bustamante, Jose
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    Módulos interactivos en línea de semiología médica. Una herramienta para estandarizar el aprendizaje clínico
    (2016) Gonzalez, Alejandro; Vargas, Bryan; Gonzalez, Vicente; Reyes, Ignacio; Sarfatis, Alberto
    Background: The learning process for medical semiology depends on multidisciplinary teaching activities, including simulation tools. These tools should achieve a standardization level aiming at a same level of basic knowledge in each student. Aim: To evaluate an interactive online semiology learning tool. Material and Methods: An interactive online learning method for medical semiology was developed. It focused mainly on physical examination and incorporated audiovisual and self-explanatory elements, to strengthen the acquisition of skills and basic knowledge for each standardized clinical learning simulation session. Subsequently, a satisfaction survey was conducted. Also the performance of students in a clinical examination was compared with that of students of the previous year. Results: Student satisfaction was outstanding, and there was a significant improvement in the performance on the final exam. Conclusions: The use of interactive self-learning online content for medical semiology provides an effective tool to improve student learning.
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    Selection of Third-Party Relationships in Construction
    (2014) Luis Palacios, Jorge; Gonzalez, Vicente; Alarcon Cardenas, Luis Fernando
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    Site Management of Work-in-Process Buffers to Enhance Project Performance Using the Reliable Commitment Model: Case Study
    (ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS, 2011) Gonzalez, Vicente; Fernando Alarcon, Luis; Maturana, Sergio; Antonio Bustamante, Jose
    Buffers have been commonly used as a production strategy to protect construction processes from the negative impact of variability. Construction practitioners and researchers have proposed several buffering approaches for different production situations and contexts. However, these solutions have been impractical for managing buffers. To overcome this, this study proposes a new site methodology for managing work-in-process (WIP) buffer in repetitive projects, on the basis of the reliable commitment model (RCM). RCM is a decision-making tool based on lean principles, which uses statistical models to develop more reliable work plans at the operational level. RCM helps to manage WIP buffer in work plans by using site information and planning reliability indicators that result in improved project performance, such as labor productivity and process progress. A repetitive building project was used as a case study. The main finding was that labor productivity, process progress, and waiting times improved when using larger WIP buffers than those typically used among crews. This shows the potential of RCM as a practical tool to manage WIP buffer sizes and to promote the use of lean production strategies at the operational level. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000346. (C) 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.