Relevance of Contractors’ Prequalification Criteria to Time Performance of Civil Engineering Project

Ologunagba Mulikat Modupe

doi:10.11648/j.ajce.20160405.13

Abstract

Civil engineering project completion within predetermined time schedule is usually the desire of the client and every other stakeholder. This has been a mirage because project in this case often fails to meet time target as a result of challenges emanating from its various peculiar characteristics. Civil engineering project completion within estimated time target can be achieved by adopting appropriate contractors’ selection criteria. This research therefore reflected Quantity Surveyors’ and Civil/Structural Engineers’ perception on the relevance of contractors’ prequalification criteria to time performance of civil engineering project. The purpose was to determine the impact of contractors’ selection criteria on time performance of civil engineering project, revealed the contractor prequalification criteria impacting most on time performance of civil engineering project. The primary data used were obtained from construction professionals in consulting, client and contracting organizations engaging in both private and public projects through a well designed questionnaire. Regression analysis and Karl Pearson’s coefficient of correlation were employed to evaluate the impact as well as relationship between contractors’ prequalification criteria and time performance of civil engineering project. Contractors’ prequalification criteria had both positive and negative relationship with time performance of civil engineering project at varying degree of significance. Also, contractors’ prequalification criteria significantly impact on and differently predict time performance of civil engineering project. Therefore, prioritizing reputation and past performance as well as strict adherence to the impact order of the set of criteria for contractors’ prequalification listed in this study would lead to achievement of civil engineering project that meet time target.

Highlights

Construction projects obviously encompassed building, civil engineering and industrial engineering works, which often pass through three distinct stages of conception, designing and construction [1]
A positive relationship existed between time performance of civil engineering project and contractor’s technical ability, past performance, health and safety including environmental, socio-political criteria with r=0.159, 0.177, 0.199 and 0.144 respectively
This study found that reputation and past performance emerged top two contractors’ prequalification criteria impacting on time performance of civil engineering project contrary to past performance and technical ability established in [9]

Summary

Introduction

Construction projects obviously encompassed building, civil engineering and industrial engineering works, which often pass through three distinct stages of conception, designing and construction [1]. In the construction industry, selecting the most suitable contractor to handle the delivery of a project in accordance with predetermined quality standard, time and cost, depends on project type, nature, magnitude and time available for project execution. Civil engineering was opined to be the first engineering activity, its products form the basis for human activities such as living, working, exchanging and communicating [3]. These civil engineering products were found to be in form of structures and buildings, designed and supervised by civil engineers. Having attested to the uniqueness of civil engineering projects, they differ from other construction project categories in terms of type, nature, complexity and resource requirements [4 - 6].

Methods

Results

Conclusion