'WS 20 Improving Performance Through Interoperability'. This forum event will work in collaboratiion with Construct IT considering the interoperable use of IT and its potential to improve communication, productivity, delivery time, cost, and quality throughout the whole building life cycle; progress towards this goal has been slow. This event will showcase international examples of best practice and consider the barriers to be addressed in the UK. It is understood that through such collaboration we can all benefit. The workshop will be chaired by Mr. Nick Nisbet of the International Alliance of Interoperability (IAI). Please click here for a flyer highlighting the event.

The SCRI Forums first of their annual events will take place on Thursday 2nd November, taking place at the Old Fire Station based at the University of Salford. The event is entitled 'Creating Sustainable Homes for Sustainable Communities'. The event will consider changes in the Building regulations Part L and how these changes will affect sustainable house construction and relevant stakeholders. View the attached flier to view presenters and content here

This event will consider Project Management and its Effective Delivery, presenting innovations by leading PM practitioners, their use and methods of implementation. Leading research and development in this area will also be presented and its implications for PM will be considered.

The event is a collaborative effort between the Association of Project Management (APM) and SCRI. The APMs Chairman Tom Taylor will chair the event.

To register for this event click here for a flier registration document.

A Comparative Analysis of Research and Education in the Built and Human Environment between the UK and P.R. China. The future is advancing towards global construction teams, the need for global harmonisation of construction research and education is timely. China is currently experiencing a period of rapid economic development, boasting an a affluent labour workforce in a place where natural resources remain untapped. Investments increase as they attain the Olympic Games for 2008 and so the spotlight has turned to the construction industry to deliver state-of-the-art facilities – on schedule and on budget. The free seminar reports on an EPSRC funded study tour in China, aimed at promoting collaborative education and research between the U.K. and Chinese academic institutions. The seminar will try to develop an action plan for the future attracting those from academe or industry who are working or intend to work with Chinese institutions in the near future. Professor Ghassan Aouad will chair the event. To register for this event click here for a flier registration document.

Making innovation work: Real Solutions for Real Problems in the Real World The Centre for Process Innovation in Building and Construction (CPIBC) and SCRI will stage a collaborative industry day at Delft University of Technology and TNO in Delft, the Netherlands. Please note that the cost is reduced to £55 for SCRI Forum members. To view information relevant to the day please click here, and follow instruction for registration.

The long awaited event: Innovating the Design Process will take place at the SCRI Forum on the 28th March 2006. The event addresses the design process especially in relation to public sector building projects including hospitals, schools, prisons and primary care units. It is clear that new procurement methods and performance measures demand innovation during the front end of the design and construction process to stimulate incresed performance and value. The interactive workshop will discuss the current and future challenges in design and its contribution required from R & D. Presenters include Prof. David Gann, head of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Technology Management (EITM), speaking on innovative design for the built and human environment referring to the publication 'Think Play Do'. Mr. William Hawkins of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) will report on the evolution of the Design Quality Indicator (DQI) and their use in schools. Mr. Ian Rye from Aedas Architects will consider Design Evaluation Processes developed for the Prison Service Strategic Alliance and Mrs. Erica Dyson will present the implications for innovative design in the procurement of Primary Health care buildings. A pdf flier can be viewed here.

The Forum will consider whether or not Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) are the key to efficient and successful house construction. The workshop event will consider planning at the front end of the construction project highlighting a method of integrating both on site and off site processes, ensuring easy product construction via any MMC means. Elements of MMC is generic throughout various types of construction; some of which will be presented on the day. Two breakout sessions will take place during the event. To view a flier in pdf click here

'Risk Management' is the buzz word used to describe the processes and procedures that are put in place to avoid various risks within the construction industry project including: the waste in time, cost and performance and non conformance in health & saftety, environmental standards, planning and regulations of sorts. During the day consideration is given to risk, certainty, uncertainty, risk exposure and risk management. Two breakout sessions will take place on the day. To view a flier click here.

This workshop will consider two international collaborative research projects: 'Revaluing Construction' and 'Performance Based Building (Pebbu)'. Attenance is open to all members of the construction and allied industry sectors. Those who attend will gain knowledge and understanding of emerging international trends as well as positioning themselves against others in these sectors of industry. During the day lively discussions will take place along with brainstorming sessions enabling the development of future research for the construction industry. This event as all the SCRI Forum events is now acknowledged under the 'Continued Professional Development' certification. Take a look at the flier here for the event. An international report will follow the event.

Beyond Lean 'The Next Generation': The first event scheduled for 2005 is releavnt to Lean Construction. The SCRI Forum recognises that Lean Construction has been actively advanced since 1998 in the UK. However, in spite of successful efforts in a few pioneering companies, there are not many signs of a more general uptake of lean in the industry. Do we need a new understanding of lean for it to be implemented across the industry?

The Forum will explore industrial experiences and academic arguments which help to shape the Next Generation of Lean Construction. The day will consist of lectures by industrialists and academics with breakout sessions and a panel discussion. Learn about the barriers and how to successfully implement ‘lean’ into your organisation with the SCRI Forum. For a flier click here

Trust in Construction: The December workshop will invite Sir Micheal Latham to join us to discuss trust in construction in an event entitled ‘Trust as a route to cultural change in supply chain relations in the construction industry’ A little different from past events as we join forces with the Centre for Construction Innovations (CCI) to produce a seminar with plenary sessions considering the pre-conceptions of the construction sector - bringing together a range of social-science disciplines, practitioners and policy makers to explore how trust can be engendered throughout the supply chain. For a flier for the event click here