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Managing Complex Engineering Projects with Design Structure Matrix Methods

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Engineering Asset Management and Infrastructure Sustainability

Abstract

In this paper, ways of improving planning, execution and management of complex engineering projects using design structure matrix (DSM) methods: path searching, powers of the adjacency matrix, and reachability matrix are presented. This is done by identifying loops or circuits in the project. The application of the DSM methods to minimize loops or circuits is discussed. As a case study, these methods are implemented to reduce design iterations or rework in a complex engineering project. By applying the DSM methods, the project duration can be minimized and hence the total cost of the project is reduced significantly.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

    Indra Gunawan

Authors
  1. Indra Gunawan
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Queensland University of Technology, Bardolph Place 10, Sunnybank Hills, 4109, Australia

    Joseph Mathew

  2. , Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore

    Lin Ma

  3. Queensland University of Technology, Arrabri Av 192, Mt Ommaney, 4074, Australia

    Andy Tan

  4. Delft University of Technology, Gerard Brandtstraat 107, Leiden, 2332 AK, Netherlands

    Margot Weijnen

  5. University of Cincinnati, Saint Andrews Court 3939, Mason, 45040, USA

    Jay Lee

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© 2012 Springer-Verlag London Limited

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Gunawan, I. (2012). Managing Complex Engineering Projects with Design Structure Matrix Methods. In: Mathew, J., Ma, L., Tan, A., Weijnen, M., Lee, J. (eds) Engineering Asset Management and Infrastructure Sustainability. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-493-7_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-493-7_23

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-85729-301-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-85729-493-7

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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