Cost Effectiveness of the Civil Engineering Self-Help Program
Abstract
Self-help began as a method for base organizations to perform minor tasks such as painting to upgrade their facility environment. Today self-help's role has expanded to include major projects which are completed during duty time. This project studied the cost effectiveness of the present day self-help program. The development of self-help is explained to establish the programs background. Senior Civil Engineering leadership was interviewed for their viewpoints on the program. Self-help centers were visited or contacted to determine existing operational practices. This information is analyzed to help determine if self-help has outgrown its cost effective use. This research project has determined self-help from a purely quantitative point of view, which includes the sunken cost of the labor used to perform the work, is not cost effective. However, when properly managed and executed as intended by existing regulations, coupled with the pride of ownership factor, it continues to be a viable method to accomplish work. Several findings require further review. The existence of full-time organized self-help teams defeats the purpose of pride of ownership, and warrants a review of manpower standards. Lack of authorized manpower positions to operate the self-help centers jeopardizes both the quality of self-help work, and Civil Engineering inhouse maintenance capability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA398322
Entities
People
- James R. Kasmer
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College