Built Environment Project and Asset Management

Fahmy, Amer; Hassan, Tarek; Bassioni, Hesham; McCaffer, Ronald

2020 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-02-2019-0021

Basic project control through traditional methods is not sufficient to manage the majority of real-time events in most construction projects. The purpose of this paper is to propose a Dynamic Scheduling (DS) model that utilizes multi-objective optimization of cost, time, resources and cash flow, throughout project construction.Design/methodology/approachUpon reviewing the topic of DS, a worldwide internet survey with 364 respondents was conducted to define end-user requirements. The model was formulated and solution algorithms discussed. Verification was reported using predefined problem sets and a real-life case. Validation was performed via feedback from industry experts.FindingsThe need for multi-objective dynamic software optimization of construction schedules and the ability to choose among a set of optimal alternatives were highlighted. Model verification through well-known test cases and a real-life project case study showed that the model successfully achieved the required dynamic functionality whether under the small solved example or under the complex case study. The model was validated for practicality, optimization of various DS schedule quality gates, ease of use and software integration with contemporary project management practices.Practical implicationsOptimized real-time scheduling can provide better resources management including labor utilization and cost efficiency. Furthermore, DS contributes to optimum materials procurement, thus minimizing waste.Social implicationsOptimized real-time scheduling can provide better resources management including labor utilization and cost efficiency. Furthermore, DS contributes to optimum materials procurement, thus minimizing waste.Originality/valueThe paper illustrates the importance of DS in construction, identifies the user needs and overviews the development, verification and validation of a model that supports the generation of high-quality schedules beneficial to large-scale projects.

Yap, Jeffrey Boon Hui; Chow, Ian Ni

2020 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-10-2019-0094

Managerial shortfalls can considerably undermine the delivery performance of construction projects. This paper appraises the project management essentials (PMEs) for successful construction project delivery.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a detailed literature review, a questionnaire survey was developed encompassing 20 PMEs that were identified. An opinion questionnaire survey was used to facilitate data collection from key construction stakeholders in the Malaysian construction industry. The survey data were subjected to descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis.FindingsFindings indicated that the leading PMEs are competency of the project team, competency of project manager, good leadership, effective planning and control and realistic cost and time estimate. Spearman’s rank correlation tests affirmed a good agreement on the ranking of PMEs across stakeholder groups. The present study found that PMEs for construction have a total of four dimensions, namely: scope, communication and competence management; stakeholder commitment and collaborative engagement; construction time–cost planning and control; and environment, health, safety and quality management.Practical implicationsThe findings could potentially contribute to the development of appropriate project management best practices to address managerial shortfalls in Malaysia and other developing countries.Originality/valueThis paper bridges the identified knowledge gap about critical managerial dimensions for successful project management in construction. The present study adds to the existing body of knowledge around this under-explored area in the construction management literature.

Mathar, Hasan; Assaf, Sadi; Hassanain, Mohammad A.; Abdallah, Abdullatif; Sayed, Ahmed M.Z.

2020 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-07-2019-0057

The literature revealed a limited number of studies on critical success factors (CSFs) in Saudi Arabia. These studies were either outdated, covered limited factors or focused on very specific issues of a project. In response to this knowledge gap, the purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the factors which affect the success of construction projects in Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approachIn all, 91 CSFs were identified from the literature, and grouped under eight categories according to categorization schemes adopted by earlier studies and common characteristics shared by the factors. A questionnaire survey was adopted since it permits the collection of large volumes of data in a short period. In total, 61 responses from industry experts were used to compute the significance index for each factor and rank the most CSFs.FindingsContractors viewed the three most significant CSFs as “competency and capability of the contractors’ key personnel in different disciplines,” “adequacy of labor resources and their skills” and “the impact of the project on the public.” Consultants viewed the three most significant CSFs as “competency and capability of the consultants’ key personnel in different disciplines,” “clear communication channels between the owner/PM and the designer” and “PM competency, authority and involvement.”Originality/valueAlthough a significant number of studies have investigated CSFs for construction projects, these studies do not provide an extensive list of CSFs, and none have studied CSFs in large-scale construction projects in Saudi Arabia from the viewpoint of two key stakeholders. This study attempts to address this knowledge gap.

Shooshtarian, Salman; Lingard, Helen; Wong, Peter S.P.

2020 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-02-2019-0015

In an attempt to create national harmonisation of legislation, a set of model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations were developed in Australia. These regulations require principal contractors to undertake specific WHS planning and coordination activities if the construction works to be completed cost AU $250,000 or more. However, there are some doubts about the usefulness of this monetary threshold. This study aimed to investigate how effective this threshold can be in Australia.Design/methodology/approachTo evaluate the performance and operation of this threshold in the Australian construction industry, this study modelled the costs of construction for four construction project scenarios – small classroom, two-storey home renovation with adjacent pool, small commercial warehouse and single-storey house (volume home builder) – under various conditions based on historical data (2011–2017) and in eight Australian jurisdictions.FindingsAmong the six study factors (i.e. the types for construction, geographical location, design specification, delivery method, contracting approach and inflation), the research found considerable variation in the operation and performance of the monetary threshold.Originality/valueThe research highlights some potential challenges associated with the use of a monetary threshold in the regulation of WHS planning in construction projects. Thus, the results are expected to contribute to addressing these challenges, leading to the development of an appropriate balance to achieve efficient and effective WHS regulation in Australia.

Geekiyanage, Devindi; Ramachandra, Thanuja

2020 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-12-2018-0156

Traditionally, early-stage investment decisions on buildings purely based initial capital costs and simply ignored running costs and total lifecycle cost. This was basically due to the absence of estimating models that yield running costs at the early design stage. Often, when the design of a building, which is responsible for 10–15% of its total cost, is completed, 80% of the total cost is committed. This study aims to develop a building characteristic-based model, which is an early-stage determinant of running costs of buildings, to predict the running costs of commercial buildings.Design/methodology/approachA desk study was carried out to collect running costs data and building characteristics of 35 commercial buildings in Sri Lanka. A Pareto analysis, bivariate correlation analysis and hedonic regression modelling were performed on collected data.FindingsAccording to Pareto analysis, utilities, services, admin work and cleaning are four main cost constituents, responsible for 80% of running costs, which can be represented by highly correlated building characteristics of building height, number of floors and size. Approximately 94% of the variance in annual running costs/sq. m is expressed by variables of number of floors, net floor area and working hours/day together with a mean prediction accuracy of 2.89%.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has utilised a sample of 35 commercial buildings due to non-availability and difficulty in accessing running cost data.Originality/valueEarly-stage supportive running costs estimation model proposed by the study would enable construction professionals to benchmark the running costs and thereby optimise the building design. The developed hedonic model illustrated the variance of running costs concerning the changes in characteristics of a building.

Wuni, Ibrahim Yahaya; Shen, Geoffrey Qiping

2020 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-02-2020-0025

Prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) projects are industrialized building systems that are co-created. Thus, effective management of the involved stakeholders is required to ensure project success. However, knowledge of how best to manage the diverse stakeholders in PPVC projects is limited. This research identified and prioritized the success factors or key result areas (KRAs) for the effective stakeholder management (SM) in PPVC projects.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research design was implemented involving a literature review and structured questionnaire survey with international PPVC experts. The research identified and statistically analysed 12 KRAs for SM in PPVC projects.FindingsAnalysis showed that the top three KRAs for SM in PPVC projects include: effective working collaboration, communication and information sharing among participants; effective coordination of the PPVC supply chain segments; and early involvement of relevant stakeholders in the PPVC project. A factor analysis clustered the 12 KRAs into stakeholder analysis and early involvement, effective communication and information sharing and stakeholder interest integration and conflict management.Practical implicationsThe paper identified and prioritized the KRAs required for the effective SM in PPVC projects. To practitioners, the results may serve as decision support on the key areas to focus to ensure effective SM in PPVC projects and may guide the efficient allocation of limited resources.Originality/valueThis research constitutes the first exclusive attempt at identifying and benchmarking the generic KRAs required for effective SM in PPVC projects and contributes to the SM body of knowledge in industrialized construction.

Shojaei, Payam; bolvardizadeh, Ana

2020 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-11-2019-0117

The construction industry has a significant function in improving the quality of life in the urban environment; meanwhile, greening the supply chain is becoming a seriously pressing issue in the construction industry. This paper seeks to select green suppliers in construction projects implemented at Iranian state universities via multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) models through rough set theory.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methodology design was conducted through a literature review of studies concerned with green suppliers to identify the related criteria and the rough MCDM techniques. As such, 15 criteria were finalized through content validity ratio (introduced by Lawshe, 1975). The weights of the criteria were calculated through the rough AHP and the suppliers were prioritized using the rough TOPSIS to contribute to the Construction Department.FindingsThe study proposed a hierarchical structure of the decision process for green supplier selection in construction projects. According to the weighting results, environmental awareness, green social responsibility and the environmental management system were the most important criteria.Research limitations/implicationsBecause the scope of the study was limited to state universities and the methods worked according to the experts' views, the results should be generalized with more caution. The validity of the results should be examined by applying the model to similar contexts.Originality/valueThe study conceptualizes green supplier selection in construction projects at state universities. Furthermore, the method used makes it possible to deal with the uncertainty arising from experts' limited awareness of only part of the problem rather than the whole system under investigation.

Ling, Florence Y.Y.; Zhang, Zhe; Wong, Wei Ting

2020 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-09-2019-0086

This research investigates the dominant personality traits of construction project managers (PMs) and how their personality influences their management styles.Design/methodology/approachAn industry-wide survey with 70 PMs was conducted in Singapore. The survey data were subjected to inferential statistical tests. In-depth interviews were conducted with four subject matter experts.FindingsMajority of the sample PMs are male with age, education level and experience well spread. The dominant personality traits of PMs are found to be: high in Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Openness and low in Neuroticism. PMs adopt “team leadership” style in which they place high emphasis on both the work that they need to complete and the people they lead. Their Agreeableness and Conscientiousness may improve over time.Research limitations/implicationsThe correlations and regressions cannot prove causality.Practical implicationsIt is discovered that PMs who have high conscientiousness and high openness personalities are more likely to be leaders who are concerned for both the people that they lead and production outcomes. The implication is that employers may wish to conduct personality tests at the time of hiring to ensure good job match.Originality/valueThis study is novel because it integrated two areas of knowledge – personality traits and management style. The regression analysis discovered that Openness and Conscientiousness traits may be used to predict PMs' management styles. This suggests that if personality tests are administered at hiring stage, the outcomes may be used to match potential hires to the jobs that they are being considered for.

Mwesigwa, Rogers; Nabwami, Ruth; Mayengo, Joseph; Basulira, Gonzaga

2020 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-09-2019-0083

The purpose of this study is to examine whether contractual completeness is a cornerstone to stakeholder management in Public–Private Partnership (PPP) projects in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a cross-sectional and quantitative approach. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire survey from a sample of 103 PPP projects in Uganda. Partial Least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.FindingsThe study found that contractual completeness dimensions (contractual obligatoriness, contingency adaptability, issue inclusiveness, term specificity) are all significantly and positively associated with stakeholder management in PPP projects in Uganda.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the few studies on stakeholder management in PPP projects from a developing country’s perspective, thus contributing to scanty literature on how to manage stakeholders in PPP projects.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is limited to the relationship between contract completeness dimensions and stakeholder management in PPP projects in Uganda. Future studies should be conducted on other factors that affect stakeholder management in PPP projects in Uganda.Practical implicationsOur results imply that when all the relevant issues are included in the contract, contract terms are explicitly stipulated, all the unanticipated changes are described and when all the parties involved are restrained by a binding force of a contract, conflicts and opportunism reduces and stakeholders concerns are addressed.