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E-mail : cynthia.tsao@uc.edu
Office  :790 Rhodes Hall
Phone :(513)-556-3673
Fax     :(513)-556-2599

Areas of Interest

Dr. Tsao's research in lean project delivery examines work structuring, that is how Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) project participants negotiate "who should be doing what" in the delivery of capital projects. Specifically, her work investigates the timing and nature of fabricator and specialty contractor involvement in the AEC project development process. Through the use of case studies, Dr. Tsao seeks to help AEC practitioners generate more innovative work structures that not only efficiently use but enhance project participant capabilities. In particular, her research investigates how to

• employ alternative contracting methods to achieve shared risks and rewards between project participants,

• use building information modeling (BIM) to understand the degree of dimensional variability and product complexity on AEC projects and their impacts on project execution,

• improve definition of boundaries of work within and between the design, fabrication, and installation project phases, and

• support an overall project installation 'takt time' (i.e., rhythm) to support owner needs through product and process standardization and prefabrication.

 Publications

• Tsao, C.C.Y., Tommelein, I.D., Swanlund, E., and Howell, G.A. (2004). “Work Structuring to Achieve Integrated Product-Process Design.” ASCE, J. of Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., Nov/Dec, 130 (6), 780-789.

• Alves, T. and Tsao, C.C.Y. (2007). “Lean Construction – 2000 to 2006.” Lean Construction Journal, ISSN 1555-1369, accepted for publication, April 2007.