Influence of Constructability and Quality of Management During Design Factors On Project Delivery
Influence of Constructability and Quality of Management During Design Factors On Project Delivery
Influence of Constructability and Quality of Management During Design Factors On Project Delivery
Aiyetan, Ayodeji.Olatunji
Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, Fac. of Engr., Built Env. and
Sciences, Durban Univ. of Techn., Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Smallwood, John Julian; Shakantu, Winston
Department of Construction Management, Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and IT,
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Abstract
Constructability, the integration of construction techniques at the stage in the development
of designs has impact on the rate of construction. When this is absent it normally results in
a negative impact. The aim of the study is to identify influencing factors of constructability
and quality of management during design have on project delivery time with a view to
alleviating their impact. A questionnaire survey was conducted among professionals in the
Building Construction Industry to access influencing factors of constructability and quality
of management during design. A total of eighty-eight questionnaires were analysed before
reaching conclusion relative to the study. Inferential statistics was employed in the analysis
of data. Finding relative to constructability factors include that participation in site
inspection and control, knowledge of performance of materials and components, and
appropriateness of working space and for quality of management during design, conflicting
design information, missing information and timeliness of revised drawings are the factors
that most influences project delivery time The recognizing of influencing factors of
constructability and quality of management during design, could result in according more
priority to them with a view to developing measures to mitigate their effects on project
delivery. Based on the finding of the study, ways to mitigate poor constructability reviews
and quality of management during design were highlighted.
1 Introduction
Clients expects the briefings of their intended facility to the designer to be accurately reflected
in design and so built by the constructor. Client’s desire is to procure a facility that is
performing optimally. Contrary to these, dissatisfaction results, which may lead to litigation,
extension of time, no returns on investment as planned by the client, and so on.
The ease of construction of a design is referred to as constructability. Constructability indicates
the following: corresponding dimensions of design, adequate and accurate design information,
and design void of omissions, which ultimately leads to delivery of facility as schedule, facility
performing optimally to the satisfaction of the client.
The contrast is the case, relative to poor design and non-constructible design necessitating late
delivery of projects, with a lot of problems associated to it. This study aims to identify and
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assess factors of constructability issues and quality of management during design that could
adversely influence project delivery time, with a view to suggesting mitigating factors.
2 Literature review
2.1 Importance of the study
The non-delivery of a project as at when specified causes unhealthiness in a contract and may
lead to abandonment, disputes and litigation, increased project duration and cost resulting from
inflation, bad image of contractor, client and consultants, and so on. Delay is associated with
diverse issues, which are traceable to the contribution of the client, contractor, and consultant
– designer, with respect to this study (Niazai and Gidado, 2012). Contribution from the designer
could relate to issues of constructability of the design and quality of management during design.
Some authors have identify factors relating to design that causes project delay. They are: design
complexity (Sullivan and Hans, 1986); changes in scope of work (Assaf et al., 1995); waiting
for information (Chan and Kumaraswamy, 1997) and design delay (Ogunlana et al., 1996);
design changes (Kaming et al., 1997); Trigunarsyah (2004) identifies four stages of
constructability implementation on a project. The stages are: during conceptual planning,
during design, during procurement and during the construction stage, and each having sub-
factors for consideration; late preparation and approval of drawings (Faridi and El-Sayegh,
2006); design (Long et al., 2008); late approval of shop drawings (Assaf and Al-Hejji, 2008),
and ambiguities, mistakes, and inconsistencies in specification and drawings (Shehu; Endut,
and Akintoye (2014). Based on these gaps, this study was initiated in South Africa, in addition
that building construction processes are the same worldwide, to assess the factors that most
influence delivery time of project based on issues of constructability of design.
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2.2.2 Extent of modular dimension in design
The utilisation of modularity in design facilitates easy and fast construction. The use of
standard modules promotes standard sized materials and mitigates cutting. When standard
items are customised in this way, projects may be completed more speedily. Additionally, the
incorporation of these standard units in design can eliminate the delays relative to cast in-situ
operations.
2.2.8 Appropriateness of working space, its impact on smooth activity workflow and
sequencing
Overcrowded work sites may cause conflicts in the work process, which may result in the
decline of the effectiveness of operators. The lack of appropriate working space and congestion
on the site can contribute to the slow progress of work.
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2.2.9 Implications upon trade coordination
Congestion on site may lead to difficulty in the coordination of trades. During the process of
planning work activities, mistakes might be made in the form of two different trade activities
occurring simultaneously in the same work area with no space to work. This may lead to a
delay in the project.
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in design documentation was ranked the second most influencing factor that negatively affects
project delivery. Time should not be wasted in the process of issuing revised drawings. The
joint contract tribunal (JCT, 2005) specifies that revision of drawings should not take more
than three days after which the contractor can claim for extension of time.
3 Research Methodology
This section describes the procedure for data collection and the survey techniques used in the
study. The study is titled influence of constructability and quality of management during design
was undertaken to identify and assess factors influencing project delivery time. The study was
conducted in Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The sample frame for the practitioners are:
architects 1149 (SAIA); master builders 320 (MBA); clients 161 SAPOA); structural engineers
43 (CESA - East Cape), and quantity surveyors 473 (ASAQS). The sample consisted of
industry practitioners who are: architects (9), master builders (18), quantity surveyors (23), and
structural engineers (23), clients (12) and others (3).
Probability sampling technique was employed for sample selection, having calculated sample
size based on the sample frame. Random sampling technique was employed for all
professionals except the quantity surveyors and structural engineers. Systematic sampling
techniques was used for the quantity surveyors, and for the structural engineers the entire
sample, because they are few, based on the recommendation of Leedy and Omrod (2005). The
study research instrument was a questionnaire survey, which was administered to respondents
through post (Architects, MB, Structural engineers, and others) and e-mail (Quantity
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Surveyors). These were received through the same means. Cronbach’s coefficient test and
validity test were performed and were found satisfactory. Cronbach’s alpha of ≥ .97 and factor
loading of >.60 for samples sizes 85-89 were obtained.
A total of eighty-eight (88) questionnaires representing 6.1% response rate achievement
recorded on questionnaire administration. Simple statistical tools such as mean score,
percentages and so on were used for data analysis.
A five-point Likert scale adjoined with ‘Unsure’ and ‘Does not’ options was employed to
analysis summated scores of the respondent’s responses. Given that there are five points on the
scale, and that 5 – 1 = 4, the ranges were determined by dividing 4 by 5 which equates to 0.8.
Consequently the ranges and their definitions are as follows:
> 4.20 ≤ 5.00 between a near major to major / major influence;
> 3.40 ≤ 4.20 between moderate influence to a near major / near major influence;
> 2.60 ≤ 3.40 between a near minor to moderate influence / moderate influence;
> 1.80 ≤ 2.60 between a minor to near minor influence / near minor influence, and
> 1.00 ≤ 1.08 between a minor to near minor influence.
Most of the respondents belong to the private sector (74%), their average working years is 17,
and over the age of thirty (300. Respondents with Bachelor’s degree 25% predominate, and
respondents have handled not less than six (6) types of projects. Based on these, data can be
deemed reliable.
DN Minor..............................Major
Mean
Rank
score
1 2 3 4 5
Participation in site inspection and
control 3.8 2.5 1.3 7.5 18.8 27.5 38.8 3.86 1
Knowledge of performance of
materials and components
4.7 1.2 3.5 10.5 18.6 38.4 23.3 3.62 2
Appropriateness of working space. Its
impact on smooth activity workflow
and sequencing
2.4 2.4 2.4 11.8 27.1 27.1 27.1 3.56 3
Effective constructability review of
design 7.1 2.4 3.6 10.7 25.0 29.8 21.4 3.44 4
Impact of materials storage and
movement 3.5 0.0 7.1 7.1 32.9 34.1 15.3 3.42 5
Implication upon trade co-ordinations
8.4 3.6 1.2 8.4 28.9 32.5 16.9 3.40 6
Appropriateness of design tolerances
7.1 1.2 6.0 15.5 21.4 34.5 14.3 3.29 7
Extent of modular dimensions in
design 11.6 3.5 4.7 14.0 23.3 29.1 14.0 3.17 8
Complexity of off-site fabricated
components 14.1 4.7 4.7 14.1 15.3 32.9 14.1 3.16 9
Scope of site fabrication 21.2 2.4 4.7 11.8 22.4 27.1 10.6 3.09 10
Extent of grouping simultaneous
12.9 3.5 4.7 11.8 32.9 24.7 9.4 3.05 11
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Table 1 presents respondents’ rating of the influence constructability of design factors have on
project delivery time. It is observed that all factors in the category have MSs > 2.60 ≤ 3.40,
which indicates that these factors have between a near minor to moderate / moderate influence
on project delivery time.
The most significant of these factors is the scope of site fabrication. One of the quickest ways
of identification and correction of problems on site is the participation of the project team
during site inspections. Owing to the large pool of knowledge available when the project team
is involved in inspections, their wealth of experiences and knowledge provide a platform for
immediate solutions to identified problems on site, and therefore engender processes that
minimises or eliminate project delays.
The next factor is knowledge relative to the performance of materials and components. In the
instance that a project manager or a contractor lacks adequate knowledge of material and
component performance, it implies that when a material is not available for construction
purposes the project will have to stop until such time that it would be available because
alternatives cannot be suggested as a result of lack of knowledge of material performance.
The third most significant factor is the appropriateness of working space. When the space
available on site to carry out construction tasks is limited, it adversely impacts the smooth flow
of activities and reduces the number of activities that can be done at any time. Where the
working space is adequate numerous activities can be carried out simultaneously, thereby
increasing the rate of building. All of these factors agrees with Trigunarsyah (2004) stated
factors for consideration during design and construction of a project relative to constructability
issues.
The least significant factor in this category is the extent of grouping simultaneously. This factor
is most effective relative to electrical installations. When comparing other sections of work
with the impact this factor could have in speeding up work, it is negligible. Therefore, on the
average, it could be deemed that it has a negligible effect on project delivery time.
Table 2. The influence of quality of management during design factors of project delivery time
Response (%)
Factor
Unsure
Mean
Rank
DN Minor..............................Major
score
1 2 3 4 5
Conflicting design information 2.3 1.2 13.8 9.2 23. 24. 26.4 3.36 1
Missing information 1.2 2.3 11.6 15.1 25.6 20.9 23.3 3.22 2
Timeliness of revised drawings 8.1 1.2 14.0 12.8 23.3 21.0 19.8 3.17 3
Expediting shop drawings 5.8 4.7 14.0 18.6 18.6 29.1 9.3 2.84 4
Dimensional inaccuracies 2.3 3.5 20.9 12.8 32.6 11.3 16.3 2.78 5
Table 2 presents the respondents rating regarding the influence of quality of management
during design, on project delivery time. All factors in this category have MSs > 2.60 ≤ 3.40,
which indicates that these factors have between a near minor to moderate / moderate influence
on the project delivery time.
The factor that has the most significant influence in the category of quality of management
during design is conflicting design information, this corroborates with Shehu and Endut, (2013)
finding. The probable reason for this is the process it will take to correct a mistake. It may
require checking the design from the beginning, which may take longer than expected. The
second most significant factor is missing information. This factor also agrees with Chan and
Kumaraswamy (1998) finding of waiting for information. This factor may lead to delays as a
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result of carelessness or incompetence in design. Missing design information will inhibit the
smooth flow of operations on site, therefore introducing delay to the scheduled project
completion date.
The least significant factor in this category is dimensional inaccuracies. Although this factor is
the least influential in this category, it does not imply that its effect is negligible because of the
time it takes to clarify inaccuracies may result in delay in the delivery of the project.
6 Acknowledgement
This paper is part of a Ph.D research that was conducted at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan
University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa in the year 2011. The support of the research and
Postgraduate Support Unit of Durban University of Technology, Durban is gratefully
acknowledge. This is with respect to the financial support given regarding the publication of
this paper in a conference proceeding.
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