Construction Project Delivery Research Articles

Collaborative and life cycle-based project delivery for environmentally sustainable building construction: views of Finnish project professionals and building operation and maintenance experts

PurposeThe energy performance gap (EPG) in building construction has been one of the major barriers to the realization of environmental and economic sustainability in the built environment. Although there have been a few studies addressing this issue, studying this topic with a special focus on the project delivery process has been almost overlooked. Hence, this study aims to address the EPG in building construction through the lens of collaborative and life cycle-based project delivery.Design/methodology/approachIn order to realize the objective of this study, the development of a theoretical framework based on the literature review was followed by a qualitative study in which 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Finnish project professionals representing clients, design/planning experts, constructors and building operation/maintenance experts to explore their views on the topic under study.FindingsThe findings reveal the project delivery-related causes of EPG in building construction. Moreover, the obtained results present a collaborative and life cycle-based delivery model that integrates project and product (i.e. building) life cycles, and it is compatible with all types of contractual frameworks in building construction projects.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the findings of this study significantly contribute to theory and practice in the field of collaborative and sustainable construction project delivery, it is acknowledged that these findings are based on Finnish professionals’ input, and expanding this research to other regions is a potential area for further studies. Moreover, the developed model, although validated in Finland, needs to be tested in a broader context as well to gain wider generalizability.Originality/valueThe obtained results reveal the significance and impact of collaborative and life cycle-based project development and delivery on the realization of environmentally sustainable building construction.

E-procurement acceptance in the Ghanaian public sector: an application of an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) in the construction industry

Purpose E-procurement has the advantage of improving the overall performance of construction project delivery. The purose of this study is to uncover the factors influencing e-procurement acceptance in the public sector of Ghana’s construction industry (GCI). Using an extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT 2), variables that promote the acceptance of e-procurement in GCI were explored. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected using a mixed method strategy. In the first stage, a semi-structured interview was used to collect, assess and optimize the UTAUT2 model. Thematic analysis was used on the qualitative data, leading to modification of the proposed UTAUT2 model. The study subsequently used a questionnaire survey using the extended UTAUT2 model. Survey data was analyzed using structural equation modelling (SEM), leading to the identification and validation of factors that facilitate e-procurement acceptance in Ghanaian construction as well as the impact of these factors. Findings The findings of the study reveal that five independent constructs of the proposed UTAUT2 model significantly affects the behavioural intention of practitioners to accept and use e-procurement in the construction industry in Ghana. Practical implications The study will be of utility to government agencies, contracting organizations and other construction stakeholders in developing policy and programmes to support e-procurement acceptance within the sector. Originality/value This is a new extended UTAUT2 model that is applicable to technology acceptance within the public sector in sub-Saharan Africa.

Characterisation of the effects of coronavirus pandemic on construction projects delivery

Characterisation of the effects of coronavirus pandemic on construction projects delivery

Exploring the critical success factors for adopting gamification in the Nigerian construction sector

PurposeWith a view to ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of construction projects, this study evaluates the critical success factors (CSFs) for the adoption of gamification principles by construction professionals in developing countries, with an emphasis on Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a post-positivism philosophical approach, using a questionnaire survey to obtain quantitative data from 126 construction professionals in Lagos State. The data obtained were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean item scores (MIS), Kruskal–Wallis H-test and principal component analysis (PCA) as part of the exploratory factor analysis (EFA).FindingsThe findings indicated that the most significant factors for the adoption of gamification principles in the construction industry were “clear game mechanics and rules,” “incentives and rewards for users,” “secure and reliable technology infrastructure,” “real-time progress tracking and feedback” and “clear and measurable objectives.” Employing factor analysis, these CSFs were subsequently grouped into three primary clusters, namely “relevance and user experience,” “technology and support” and “integration and process.”Practical implicationsThese findings not only enrich the existing theoretical framework but also provide a solid foundation upon which researchers can build for further theoretical development. This study also offers valuable insights that can inform and improve practical applications of gamification within the construction industry.Originality/valueWhile prior research has explored gamification in various contexts, the unique contribution of this study is the thorough investigation of CSFs for gamification adoption specifically within the construction industry. In essence, this study fills a critical gap in the literature by offering fresh perspectives and tailored solutions for the construction industry's specific gamification needs.

Activity-level construction progress monitoring through semantic segmentation of 3D-informed orthographic images

Effective progress monitoring is crucial for successful construction project delivery. Visual data, comprising images and videos of construction operations, has emerged as a valuable source for gaining comprehensive insights into project status. While various vision-based methods have been developed for automated progress monitoring at the element level (e.g., columns, beams, floors, walls), challenges persist in achieving accurate schedule activity-level (e.g., formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement) progress tracking. Existing methods often struggle to report progress status beyond binary form (built/not built). To address these limitations, this research proposes a novel framework for precisely measuring the percent completion of activities associated with under-construction building elements. The framework is implemented through an Activity-level progress monitoring system (ALPMS). ALPMS takes the input of construction site images and a four-dimensional building information model (BIM) and outputs the activity-wise completion percentage required for updating project schedules. It creates as-built point clouds from images, compares them with the as-planned BIM, generates orthographic views of under-construction elements through projective transformation or neural radiance fields (NeRF), applies deep learning-based semantic segmentation for progress reasoning, and estimates completion percentages. Finally, the activity-level rich semantic information is transferred to the as-built point cloud and BIM for three-dimensional visualization of the progress status. When the framework was applied to two building construction projects, on average, the ALPMS could report the activity-wise completion percentages with <6% mean absolute error. Future research shall focus on automating the mapping of project schedule activities and activity-level progress details for timely schedule updates and prediction of project completion dates.

Critical Success Factors (CFSs) ImplementationCost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) Into Building Information Modelling (BIM) Application Through Malaysian Government Healthcare Projects

The healthcare industry in Malaysia is proving to be one of the most competitive industries today. The sector is expected to grow to 127 billion ringgit (US$30 billion) by 2027, fuelled by increasing demand for healthcare services from an aging population, rising affluence, and increasing life expectancy. An advanced support system is required to ensure the deliverable and have a significant impact on national growth. One commonly used framework to support such crucial decisions in public projects and policies is Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA). Integration of more support systems such as CBA and Building Information Modelling (BIM) will further enhance government construction project delivery. The objective of this research was to analyse critical success factors toward the integration of CBA and BIM implementation in Malaysian government healthcare facility projects. The outlined research objective aimed to enhance the integration of CBA within BIM implementation. A mixed-methods approach had been selected to collect the data and obtain the desired information. Via this mixed method, a questionnaire survey was conducted first, followed by the interview session. 90 numbers of respondents (populations) registered via the MYBIM Resources Network List (MyBIM CIDB), 74 numbers of respondents were set as a sampling set, and five (5) random respondents who participated in the early questionnaire survey were then selected to be further interviewed. The most CSFs quoted by the respondents are “peoples” via the interview and training and development via a questionnaire survey. This finding, comparatively, looks almost similar to what was found by previous research done in Hong Kong and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's construction industry. Since CBA and BIM are the most important tools in construction and its deliverables, it is expected that the government, via their technical agencies, will properly and strictly enforce their current policies, which will be followed by all the players in the construction industry. In addition, more training should be provided to equip our construction industry professionals with the latest technology regarding CBA and BIM.

Assessing Contractors’ Selection Criteria for Improved Project Delivery

&#x0D; This research assesses the project delivery criteria for evaluating construction contractor, with specific application to construction projects in Jos. The paper adopted questionnaire survey conducted on construction professionals. Structured questionnaire was administered to 170 professionals to elicits information’s on criteria used for assessing contractors, out of which 148 representing 87.06% properly filled questionnaires were analyzed. The respondents were asked to rank 10 major criteria for selecting a contractor, 6 reason for selecting contractor base on bid, 5 factors on the need for selecting a contractor as conceptualized and identified from the literature. The study deployed descriptive statistics such as relative importance index, mean rating and mean ranking for data analysis. The project delivery criteria were analyzed and the results indicated that base on bid with RII of 0.89, low price with RII of 0.88 and financial stability with RII of 0.86 were ranked as major criteria for selecting capable contractors. It was reasonably competitive, and the offer was close to our estimate, were rated high as factors for evaluating contractors base on bid. For selection of the most appropriate contractor and to fulfil the sponsor or other stakeholder’s requirement were rated high on the need for selecting a contractor. The identified factors were therefore recommended as criteria’s to be considered for assessing contractor for improved project delivery. Furthermore, this research will help decision makers, clients and others involved in construction project delivery to be well informed on contractor selection criteria that influences construction project delivery&#x0D;

Challenges Associated with Contractor Selection Strategy in Construction Project Delivery

This research examines the challenges associated with contractor selection strategy in construction project delivery with specific application to construction projects in Jos. The paper adopted a questionnaire survey conducted. Structured questionnaire was administered to 170 construction professionals to elicits information’s on challenges associated with contractor selection strategy, out of which 148 representing 87.06% properly filled questionnaires were analyzed. The respondents were asked to rank 15 major challenges associated with contractor selection strategies, as conceptualized identified from the literature. The study deployed descriptive statistics such as mean standard deviation for data analysis. The identified factors were found to fall between low to high level of importance with weighted mean values between 2.09-4.45. The result indicated that request of extension of time by the contractor, political influence, delay in releasing relevant contract documents to the contractor, history of not finishing project on time as agreed are major challenges associated with contractor selection strategy. The identified factors were therefore recommended to be looked into as contractor selection challenges that affect project delivery. Furthermore, this research will help stakeholders to be more aware of have a better understanding of the selection procedure that affect construction project delivery. The understanding of these factors will help decision makers to make more efficacious decisions when selecting a contractor.

Enabling technologies of health and safety practices in the fourth industrial revolution: Nigerian construction industry perspective

Globally, different approaches have been applied to improve workplace safety practices due to the complexities of construction activities that pose different dangers to workers’ safety and wellbeing. This study uses Lagos, Nigeria, as a case study and investigates awareness of 4IR technologies in H&amp;amp;S practices among construction professionals in the Nigerian construction industry. A quantitative research approach was developed to retrieve a structured survey questionnaire from construction stakeholders in the study area. Retrieved data was analysed in three stages: data reliability and validity, descriptive statistics, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The descriptive analysis findings and the Kruskal–Wallis H test revealed no significant difference in professionals’ awareness of 4IR technologies in H&amp;amp;S practices in the construction project delivery in Lagos, Nigeria. The findings of the EFA returned four-factor components of H&amp;amp;S practices enabling technologies in the Era of 4IR as data and robotic technologies, process-based automation, output communication technologies, and wearable hazard detectives’ technologies. This study recommends innovative strategies from the professional bodies through academic and professional development (workshops, training, conferences, and seminars) to improve knowledge of 4IR technologies in H&amp;amp;S practices among professionals.

TOWARDS SMART CONSTRUCTION SITES FOR EFFECTIVE PROJECT DELIVERY

The pursuit of effective delivery of construction projects still appears to be a mirage due to challenges associated with project management. Several of these encumbrances are encountered due to outdated and uncoordinated methods deployed for construction projects. Implementing smart construction sites (SCS) is a panacea to some of these hurdles. This study empirically evaluates the propelling measures toward the uptake of SCS in South Africa. This was attained by using a quantitative technique that propagated the collection of data from construction professionals and subsequently analyzed using exploratory factor analysis using the principal component analysis extraction method. The findings from the study show that the significant drivers for the implementation of SCS in the South African construction industry are optimizing project delivery processes, stakeholders’ interest, and the synergy of digital technologies. The study’s outcome contributes theoretically to the conversation of construction digitalization which has been touted to be the silver lining in the abatement of the challenges plaguing the construction industry.

Factors inhibiting energy access in the delivery of construction projects in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

Energy plays a vital role in all human endeavours. However, access to energy globally is limited, and concerted efforts are being made to bridge this gap. Little empirical works exist on the energy situation in the delivery of construction and infrastructure projects in Nigeria. The specific objectives of this study assessed the level of access to energy sources, factors inhibiting energy access, and benefits of energy access for the delivery of construction projects. Data reported in this paper were collected through a quantitative research approach whereby copies of the questionnaire were administered to small, medium, and large-sized construction firms in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. This study’s findings revealed that the most accessible energy source for construction activities in Lagos Metropolis is automotive gas oil (diesel). Furthermore, the study established that factors inhibiting access to energy for the delivery of construction projects are efficient supply and distribution, government regulation, and inadequate infrastructure. The paper concludes that access to energy for construction works in Nigeria is inadequate due to poor implementation of government policies on energy provision. The paper recommends creating new strategies to implement policies to improve access to energy in Nigeria.

Optimization Model that Minimizes the Penalty Caused by Delayed Delivery of Construction Projects

Optimization Model that Minimizes the Penalty Caused by Delayed Delivery of Construction Projects

Holistic Review of Construction Process Carbon-Reduction Measures: A Systematic Literature Review Approach

The fragmented nature of construction operations makes it challenging to implement carbon-reduction strategies. However, attaining a holistic construction sector decarbonisation hinges upon ensuring all aspects of a construction project’s lifecycle are decarbonised, including the construction process stage. Therefore, to mitigate the implementation challenge of reducing the levels of carbon involved in construction processes, this study attempts to synthesise and categorise carbon-reduction strategies that could be employed to decrease the carbon footprint during a construction projects’ delivery. To achieve the aim of this study, a systematic literature review approach was adopted. Based on this technique, a total of 26 relevant articles within the built environment research area were eligible for the study, and their analysis revealed 56 carbon minimisation measures, which were summarised into nine distinct categories to ease their application and overcome the construction operations’ complexities. The nine categories include material transport, waste transport, materials and equipment, waste, materials, on-site office, on-site lighting, on-site transportation of material and equipment, and construction methods. The findings of this study provide contractors with a suite of measures that can be deployed to reduce the carbon impact of construction project delivery.

COVID-19 pandemic disruptions and environmental turbulence in architectural, engineering and construction project delivery space

PurposeFirms in the architectural, engineering, construction and operations (AECO) sector continue undertaking projects in a disruptive environment due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aims to explore environmental turbulence in the AECO project delivery space and suggest mechanisms for enhancing resilience against future pandemics.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts the quantitative approach by administering 110 survey questionnaires to participants comprising project managers, site engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors and subcontractors.FindingsThe study identifies 24 COVID-19 disruptions linked to environmental turbulence categorised as scheduling, performance and productivity, project budget, supply chain, resource allocation and technological and regulatory. The study suggested resilient mechanisms for surviving in future pandemics.Originality/valueThis study enhances the understanding of environmental turbulence from the perspective of COVID-19 disruptions in AECO project delivery, while the implementation of the resilient mechanisms improves capability of AECO firms against future pandemics.

Assessment of the Impact of Design Documentation Quality on Construction Project Delivery

Assessment of the Impact of Design Documentation Quality on Construction Project Delivery

English

The construction industry is exposed to more significant risks and unforeseen events than other industries, as projects are often developed under unpredictable circumstances due to different factors that must be taken into account during their execution. In addition, delays in the construction industry are considered one of the biggest problems faced by projects, as they can lead to cost overruns, disputes between parties, project abandonment and even lawsuits. The objective of the present study aims to increase the on-time delivery of construction projects by addressing the reasons and root causes identified in the study. The innovative proposal to avoid project delivery delays is introducing a Lean system based on the Last Planner System (LPS) methodology, designed to support production planning and control in construction projects. The proposed model was validated using a pilot plan in a project of tracks and greenways carried out in Lima, obtaining; as a result, a decrease of 8% in the time of project delays with respect to the initial deadline, an increase of 22% in the percentage of the completed plan and a decrease of 5% of the stoppages due to rework. The research confirms the success of the lean construction philosophy and its powerful tools, such as the LPS, which will serve as a reference for its application in other companies with similar characteristics.

The Effect of Capital Project Planning on Construction Project Delivery in Nigeria

The purpose of this article is to investigate the impact of capital project planning on project delivery in Nigeria. To do this, a survey of relevant literature on the subject was conducted in order to determine the effectiveness of solid project planning on the various capital projects. The study by Idoro (2012) &amp; Inuwa (2015) in Nigeria, Fateh et al (2022) in Malaysia, Owuor (2022) in Kenya, Yehualashet (2023) in Ethiopia, Gaur (2023) in India and Baleni et al (2023) in Botswana gave credence to the fact that there is significant influence of project planning on the performance of construction projects. Oladigbolu et al (2022) further recommends that the use of all project planning methods, both employees and employers, enlightenment line of balance method for project planning, monitoring &amp; evaluation would ensure optimum project performance. The Nigerian government and her multiple procurement organizations are challenged by the outcome of this research to demonstrate greater concern, devote more resources, and increase their efforts to project planning at the preconstruction stage of their projects.

Enhancing the success of Ghanaian public road construction projects

The objective of this research paper is to determine the critical success factors (CSFs) influencing the success of public road construction projects from the perspective of a developing nation. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data on the extent to which critical success factors gathered from literature impact the success of public road construction projects from sector practitioners’ perspectives in Ghana. The data was then analysed using factor analysis. The study revealed that external environmental factors have the highest influence (46.23%) on public road construction project success, followed by project management factors (12.25%) while procurement-related factors have the least impact (6.97%). Public construction project management organisations and the government will now have a deeper understanding of CSFs that influence the success of public construction projects and use them as a guide to enhance the successful delivery of public road construction projects. Even though numerous studies have been undertaken to enhance the success of construction projects in Ghana, very little attention has been given to procurement-related factors. Thus, the study outcome will add value to sector practitioners and the Government of Ghana in the management of public road construction projects.

THE CURRENT STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN THE MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Effective communication is a fundamental factor for high productivity and successful delivery of construction projects. However, the disjointed nature of construction activities, the emergence of more advanced communication technology, and the involvement of workers from various disciplines and background makes effective communication a hassle in the construction industry. Despite the enormous studies on enhancing communication in the construction context, the issue of ineffective communication persists, thereby contributing to site accidents and project delays. cost overrun, disputes, and low labour productivity. Therefore, this study investigates the current strategies for effective communication in the construction industry, particularly in emerging countries like Malaysia. Twenty professionals including construction managers, site supervisors, construction labourers, and language professors were interviewed. The interviewees were selected via the convenient sampling technique and the In-depth interview data was analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings reveal that the root causes of ineffective communication in the construction industry are low literacy level of construction workers, poor management and supervision, lack of technical knowledge, the complexity of the construction industry, and the language barrier. Additionally, the strategies for effective communication in the Malaysian construction industry were established and categorized into 3: Technological Based Strategies, Integrated Process Strategies, and Human Engagement Strategies. The research output provides construction experts with a novel approach that can guide the construction workforce to effectively communicate using various communication mediums, thereby increasing productivity and profits.

Boosting employee performance through gamification: a study of the awareness and usage of game elements among construction professionals

PurposeThis study examines the level of awareness and usage of game elements among construction professionals with a view to promoting the usage of gamification tools for the effective and efficient delivery of construction projects.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained from construction professionals including architects, builders, engineers and quantity surveyors. Retrieved data were analyzed using several statistical tools such as percentages, frequencies, mean item scores and exploratory factor analyses.FindingsThe analysis revealed that progress bars, certificates and bonuses are the significant game elements adopted by professionals, but there is a low awareness of elements such as avatars and badges.Practical implicationsThere is a salient need for construction stakeholders' awareness of the importance of gamification and game elements as a key digital tool for the delivery of construction projects. The findings of this study make a case for stakeholders, professional bodies and government agencies to embrace and implement gamification practices in the construction sector.Originality/valueThis study is the first conducted in Nigeria to examine the level of awareness and usage of game elements among construction professionals. The findings of this study will provide a reference point for researchers who will undertake studies relating to the concept of gamification in the construction industry context.