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| Hyman Brown Address:
Campus Box 428
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| Hyman Brown Address:
Campus Box 428
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Research:
Statement of Research Interests and Accomplishments
Potential for success in the construction industry has, in the past, been measured by a person’s “IQ” or, more often than not, a student’s GPA from a “reputable” engineering school. Despite these (and other) recruiting guidelines, the construction industry has suffered from decreased efficiency and productivity over the last 25 years as measured by profits, scheduling, and quality. It has become apparent to owners and other professionals in our industry that “successful intelligence” must be defined as something different. It is in this area that I propose a combination of not only intellectual intelligence, but also practical, creative, and emotional intelligence as components of a successful construction engineering professional for the future. Successful teams are no longer comprised of experts just in the skills of engineering, but are able to integrate the application of practical skills utilizing critical thinking, motivation techniques, and team-building strategies that are imperative for a successful operation. Utilizing concepts such as “emotional quotient,” “lean thinking,” and “lean construction” are primary components of these principles. The classroom and the project-based learning environment are the laboratories of academia for the construction industry.
To further these principles in the area of research, I pose these questions: Are companies and engineers more successful by using one concept or strategy in lieu of another? Are there individual traits that we can measure in students; is this capacity learned or intuitive; is there a difference for potential success? Can we enhance these traits through teaching? If so, how do we do this?
Two additional areas of academic interest include (1) integrated education with the School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences; and (2) project-based learning. For example, under my direction, six students completed a project for the Boulder Friends Meeting in which we assumed the responsibility to construct a $630,000 building after the Meeting had received an initial bid of $990,000.
The students applied design-build and other engineering skills taught in the classroom to successfully complete the project on time and on budget.
Currently (that is, Fall 1999), I advise 2 Ph.D. students, 7 Masters students, and supervise 2 independent studies. All these students are working in the areas as outlined above.
Like many fields, the future of construction engineering and management education will require a multi-disciplinary approach. Through my work with the School of Business, the Engineering Management Program, and the Herbst humanities, I have demonstrated my commitment to this transformation process and will continue to lead collaborative efforts to further the educational development of our students.
Nearly one year ago, McGraw-Hill approached me with an offer to write what they described as the “definitive textbook on design-build” from the perspective of an industry professional turned academic whose goal is to transmit this information in the classroom. According to Mc-Graw Hill, the proposal has received excellent reviews from a variety of construction management and engineering programs throughout the country. The signed contract projects a publication date of January 2001.
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