Factors constraining the development of professional project management in China's construction industry

Abstract

This paper introduces a survey aimed at identifying the underlying factors that constraint the development of professional project management in China's construction industry. Professional construction project management, which is known as construction supervision (CS) in China, was introduced into China's construction industry in 1988. After more than 10 years of rapid growth, the further development of CS is challenged by a number of arising problems. Based on the findings of the survey, this paper highlights the most significant factors causing these problems. These factors are related not only to CS companies, but also to clients, other construction professionals, and the environment of the construction market. It is anticipated that the discussion of these factors will provide a basis for future strategies to promote the development of CS in China and also provide a useful reference for other developing countries which face similar problems in promoting the applications of professional construction project management in the construction industry.