Complex Construction Project Management with Systems Thinking

A special issue of Systems (ISSN 2079-8954). This special issue belongs to the section "Systems Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2025) | Viewed by 1482

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of the Built Environment, Birmingham City University, City Centre Campus, Millennium Point, Birmingham B4 7XG, UK
Interests: health and safety; risk management; sustainable development; construction management; project management; maintenance management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
Interests: construction 4.0; digital twins; organizational change; people–process–technology frameworks
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of the Built Environment, Birmingham City University, City Centre Campus, Millennium Point, Birmingham B4 7XG, UK
Interests: processes management; environmental sustainability/circularity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The complexities of construction projects are increasing with the development of construction systems that address a broad range of research issues relating to the sustainable design, construction, and management of the built environment. These complexities may be managed using innovative approaches, such as systems thinking. However, construction project managers do not seem to use systems thinking tools, even though these provide unique benefits in framing and solving problems. This well represents the gap between theory and practice.

On the other hand, new conditions resulted from the environment determine the necessity to implement new approaches to project management. However, treating problem-solving as a routine-like constant process may not lead to desirable results in reality. The traditional approach to project management, which emphasizes planning, may translate to the expected results in a limited way. There are few straightforward problems in the dynamic and complex environment of construction projects, and, obviously, non-standard problems are harder to solve conventionally. Therefore, the further theoretical development of project management as well as the dissemination of new approaches to project management, including problem-solving methods based on both systems thinking and competencies and the adaptive abilities of a team, are essential.

This Special Issue seeks contributions that establish new directions in construction project management and systems thinking theory and practice. Contributions will be presented to the construction community and construction researchers and practitioners in various industries. Papers are being sought in the following areas:

  • Project management performance;
  • Complex construction projects;
  • Infrastructure projects;
  • Construction maintenance systems;
  • Value engineering;
  • Engineering systems;
  • Systems thinking approach;
  • Systems thinking for construction safety;
  • Systems thinking for sustainable development;
  • Systems thinking for construction project innovation.

Dr. Hadi Sarvari
Dr. Hala Nassereddine
Dr. Chris Roberts
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • project management
  • project performance
  • system thinking
  • construction project
  • engineering systems
  • complex projects

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

38 pages, 10425 KiB  
Article
Ontology-Based Integration of Enterprise Architecture and Project Management: A Systems Thinking Approach for Project-Based Organizations in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Sector
by Edison Atencio, Mauro Mancini and Guillermo Bustos
Systems 2025, 13(6), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13060477 - 16 Jun 2025
Viewed by 297
Abstract
Construction projects are becoming increasingly complex due to their dynamic nature, the integration of multiple disciplines, and the need for strategic alignment between organizational processes and project management. However, traditional project management approaches often fail to address this complexity effectively. This study presents [...] Read more.
Construction projects are becoming increasingly complex due to their dynamic nature, the integration of multiple disciplines, and the need for strategic alignment between organizational processes and project management. However, traditional project management approaches often fail to address this complexity effectively. This study presents the application of IModel, a web-based semantic model grounded in systems thinking, designed to integrate enterprise architecture and project management. Through a case study conducted in a multinational AEC company, IModel was evaluated for its ability to enhance system interoperability, optimize processes, and support strategic decision-making. The methodology combined web semantic modeling with expert interviews and organizational data analysis. Findings indicate that IModel provides a comprehensive framework for knowledge management, reduces uncertainty, and improves decision-making in dynamic project environments. However, challenges related to model adoption, including the need for training in systems thinking and ontological modeling, were identified. This study contributes to the literature on innovation in construction project management, highlighting the potential of systems thinking and semantic tools to address complex problems in dynamic and evolving environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complex Construction Project Management with Systems Thinking)
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22 pages, 1970 KiB  
Article
Bridging Information from Manufacturing to the AEC Domain: The Development of a Conversion Framework from STEP to IFC
by Davide Avogaro and Carlo Zanchetta
Systems 2025, 13(6), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13060421 - 31 May 2025
Viewed by 317
Abstract
Interoperability between digital models in the manufacturing and AEC domains is a critical issue in the building design of complex systems. Despite the adoption of well-established standards such as STEP (STandard for the Exchange of Product data, ISO 10303-21) for the industrial domain [...] Read more.
Interoperability between digital models in the manufacturing and AEC domains is a critical issue in the building design of complex systems. Despite the adoption of well-established standards such as STEP (STandard for the Exchange of Product data, ISO 10303-21) for the industrial domain and IFC (Industry Foundation Classes, ISO 16739-1) for the construction domain, communication between these domains is still limited due to differences in conceptual models, levels of detail, and application purposes. Existing solutions for conversion between these formats are few, often proprietary, and not always suitable to ensure full semantic integration in BIM (Building Information Modeling) flows. This study proposes a methodological framework for structured conversion from STEP to IFC-SPF (STEP Physical File), based on information and geometric simplification and data enrichment. The process includes the elimination of irrelevant components, simplification of geometries, merging assemblies, and integration of data useful to the building context. The experimental implementation, carried out using the Bonsai extension for Blender, demonstrates a substantial reduction in geometric complexity and computational load, while maintaining data consistency required for integration into BIM processes. This approach emerges as a scalable, affordable, and sustainable solution for interoperability between industrial and civil models, even in professional environments lacking advanced software development skills. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complex Construction Project Management with Systems Thinking)
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