Paul Goodrum, associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, is the recipient of the Outstanding Researcher Award for 2008 from the Construction Industry Institute (CII). The award was presented during the recent CII annual conference.
Information from CII:
Dr. Paul M. Goodrum has been selected as the recipient of the Outstanding Researcher Award for 2008. The panel of judges has determined that he meets or exceeds all criteria and makes an outstanding addition to the list of recipients of this prestigious award. Dr. Goodrum is an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. During his research work for CII, he has helped in the understanding of how technology and the work force have an impact on productivity and has provided valuable information and insights into the value of craft training. Together, these contributions are already leading to significant improvements in craft productivity.
His CII research project on factors affecting craft productivity involved surveying approximately 2,000 craft workers. This was a unique study that describes how crafts can identify productivity problems and can offer solutions to those problems. The study introduced the Voice of the Craft Worker (VOW), a server-based software tool that allows workers to provide assessments of productivity factors on a project and make suggestions on how to improve productivity. He recently concluded another successful CII research project that presents the business case for craft training, including a benefit/cost ratio analysis.
That study also includes checklists (for owner, employee, trainee, and journeyman) that can be used as a basis for pre-qualification, work force development, and self-improvement. All of this is based on data from both workers and construction managers.
Goodrum has published extensively in refereed academic journals and conference proceedings in his career. He has also been a recipient of four teaching awards in the past seven years at the University of Kentucky. He has served as a member of the CII Breakthrough Strategy Committee for several years, and for the last two years has been a member of the CII Academic Committee, serving as committee secretary. He works collaboratively and equally well with fellow academics and industry members, and is an emerging leader in the academic community. Goodrum is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Kentucky.
CII is proud to select Dr. Paul Goodrum as the recipient of its Outstanding Researcher Award for 2008. His many contributions in improving the construction industry are recognized and appreciated.
Award Criteria
The research significantly contributed to the improvement of the construction industry.
The research is completed and products delivered.
The researcher’s excellence is recognized by his or her CII team members, the staff, and the membership.
The researcher’s report to CII is innovative, well written, and timely.
Previous Recipients of the Outstanding CII Researcher of the Year Award
1995 – Michael C. Vorster, Virginia Polytechnic University
1996 – G. Edward Gibson, Jr., The University of Texas at Austin
1997 – Stuart D. Anderson, Texas A&M University
1998 – Garold D. Oberlender, Oklahoma State University
1999 – W. Edward Back, Texas A&M University
2000- Jeffrey S. Russell, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2001 – Edward J. Jaselskis, Iowa State University
2002 – Carl T. Haas, The University of Texas at Austin
2003 – Jimmie W. Hinze, University of Florida
2004- G. Edward Gibson, Jr., The University of Texas at Austin
2005 -James T. O’Connor, The University of Texas at Austin
2006 – Awad S. Hanna, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2007 – Paul S. Chinowsky, University of Colorado-Boulder
Outstanding Researcher Award Panel of Judges
Stuart D. Anderson – Professor, Texas A&M University
Barry L. Christen – Engineering Director, URS Corporation
Edward M. Ruane – Senior Director, Fluor Corporation
Gary T. Steinmetz – Manager, Project Planning, WFG, General Motors Corporation
Stephen R. Thomas – Associate Director for Research, Academic, and Breakthrough Strategy,
Construction Industry Institute