Approach for Assessment and Review in a Large Construction Company: Case of Skanska Sweden

Abstract

Although the need to improve performance and work processes in a company may seem obvious, concrete approaches for this are rare in the construction industry. Admittedly, efforts for embedding improvement processes have been made, but most construction companies are still struggling with concepts, avoiding available tools and techniques for assessment and review. In doing so, they ignore possibilities to identify how they can improve their performance and work processes. In the few cases where tools and techniques have been used, they often fail to address the specific characteristics of the organization. This paper presents how a systematic approach for assessment and review of operations and work processes can be tailored for a large construction company. An in-depth case study carried out at the large construction company Skanska Sweden is the basis for this study. Interaction between research and development work at the company has enabled a deep understanding of the company’s operations, its culture, and its way of working. The approach presented is based on the existing management system at Skanska Sweden and its focus is on creating a structured way to discuss how operations are carried out. The aims are to assess how operations at the local units within the company can be improved and to improve the management system and thereby benefit the organization as a whole.