Improving planning and design practices in (re)construction : - Avenues to enhance users’ work environment

Abstract: Understanding a well-functioning work environment during project processes is complex and continuous due to the dynamic risk management and physical er-gonomics. This thesis presents a study on (re)construction projects within a Swedish context from a project managers perspective in projects. The aim was to illuminate factors in a project planning and design process for prevention of physical ergonomic risks. The aim encompassed the research questions ‘What is the current process for setting criteria and requirement specifications for physi-cal ergonomic risks during the (re)construction phases?’ ‘How can the project planning process for (re)construction be improved?’ In this project inspired by a case study methodology with a qualitative approach, interviews and a work-shop were conducted among project managers of both genders and varied expe-riences. Using qualitative content analysis, an interview theme of ‘providing safe and healthy workplaces in project management with decent conditions’ was identified that interconnects through seven categories: ‘ Integrate diverse inter-ests and the project team’, ‘Steps in the life cycle of the project’, ‘An ongoing work environment management’, ‘Responsibilities in the project’, ‘Making de-cisions in the process’, ‘To design conditions in the project directive’ and ‘Fac-tors to consider’. The subsequent workshop resulted in an action plan containing areas in collaboration within the organization, competence and development within the processes and procurements. The findings revealed the ways in which physical ergonomics was an integrated factor in the project planning and design process of a project. The project processes in (re)construction consists of actors and processes where conditions and resources change which affect the overall work environment. Concludingly, the project managers’ reasoning mirror the various and complex factors in project process to improve physical ergonomic risks. This reflects the need of development, importance of setting requirements and defining work environment risks e.g. physical ergonomics, but also the meaningful co-creation and regular follow-ups. Further research are recom-mended on proactive approach of physical ergonomics with good examples and manageble methods among (re)construction projects.