Through the 2012 Owner Study, consultant FMI and the Construction Users Roundtable set out to understand how large capital program owners are coping with the current environment, as well as what challenges they believe the future environment holds and how prepared they feel to face these challenges. In general, survey and interview questions fell into these broad areas:
-
Identification of future issues impacting capital programs and the degree of preparedness toward addressing those issues.?
-
Level of staffing changes during the past four years and anticipated staffing trends going forward.
- Degree of project disruptions affecting capital programs resulting from delays, cancellations and funding challenges.
- Continued evolution of project delivery systems and procurement methods.
Based on survey responses, it is clear that many capital program owners have already begun the process of identifying future challenges and mitigating the impact of those issues on their capital programs. Other owners, however, anticipate many of these challenges to have a significant effect on their capital programs and are not confident in their responses to date. The ability of these owners to maintain the objectives of their capital programs in the face of these challenges will depend on the actions they take to identify and address these issues. How capital program owners respond to both the current and future environment will significantly influence their ability to plan, design, procure and manage capital projects effectively. As their ability to engage in these activities changes, so too will the expectations of owners for their planning, design and construction partners.
Survey responses reflect the fact that economic recovery has yet to begin for many, especially in the engineering and construction industry. At its peak in 2006, the construction industry represented more than $1 trillion of economic activity, roughly 9% of nominal GDP. The industry has contracted every year since then. The burst of the housing bubble, the credit crisis and the ensuing recession reduced the industry to roughly 70% of its 2006 size in 2012, and to only 5% of nominal GDP. The dark cloud, however, is clearing. according to FMI forecasts, construction put-in-place voluimes in 2012 are expected to end the year 5% higher than in 2011.
For a free download: http://www.fminet.com/fmi-curt-survey-of-owners-2012.html
Related Stories
| Jul 26, 2013
How biomimicry inspired the design of the San Francisco Museum at the Mint
When the city was founded in the 19th century, the San Francisco Bay’s edge and marshland area were just a few hundred feet from where the historic Old Mint building sits today. HOK's design team suggested a design idea that incorporates lessons from the local biome while creating new ways to collect and store water.
| Jul 25, 2013
3 office design strategies for creating happy, productive workers
Office spaces that promote focus, balance, and choice are the ones that will improve employee experience, enhance performance, and drive innovation, according to Gensler's 2013 U.S. Workplace Survey.
| Jul 25, 2013
How can I help you?: The evolution of call center design
Call centers typically bring to mind an image of crowded rows of stressed-out employees who are usually receiving calls from people with a problem or placing calls to people that aren’t thrilled to hear from them. But the nature of the business is changing; telemarketing isn’t what it used to be.
| Jul 25, 2013
First look: Studio Gang's residential/dining commons for University of Chicago
The University of Chicago will build a $148 million residence hall and dining commons designed by Studio Gang Architects, tentatively slated for completion in 2016.
| Jul 25, 2013
ACEEE presents the 2013 Champions of Energy Efficiency in Industry Awards
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) presented four Champion of Energy Efficiency Awards last night at its Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry.
| Jul 24, 2013
Architecture Billings Index dips slightly in June, but demand for design services remains positive
All building sectors are seeing an increase in demand for architectural services, according to AIA's Architecture Billings Index for June.
| Jul 23, 2013
Paul Bertram to speak at ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency
Paul Bertram, FCSI, CDT, LEED AP and director of environment and sustainability for Kingspan Insulated Panels N.A., will present a white paper during the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) 2013 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry.
| Jul 23, 2013
It may not involve duct tape and a stick of gum, but this story would make MacGyver proud
Do you remember the days when running into an issue out at the job site meant embarking on the long RFI process? Somehow we made it work, but the time wasted waiting for information always frustrated me.
| Jul 23, 2013
Tell us how you're reimagining the medical office building
"Obamacare" implementation will add thousands of people to the ranks of the insured, including many who formerly sought primary care in emergency rooms. Now, these patients will have coverage that allows them to more easily access the typical treatment channels—and that means greater demand for services provided in medical office buildings.
| Jul 22, 2013
School officials and parents are asking one question: Can design prevent another Sandy Hook? [2013 Giants 300 Report]
The second deadliest mass shooting by a single person in U.S. history galvanizes school officials, parents, public officials, and police departments, as they scrambled to figure out how to prevent a similar incident in their communities.
