Project Delivery Research Articles

Application of servant leadership in the delivery of strategic government projects in Gauteng Province Case

This qualitative research investigates the influence of servant leadership on the execution of strategic government initiatives, with a particular emphasis on the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) in Kwa-Thema. The project outcomes were investigated by collecting data from 10 participants using convenience sampling to investigate the impact of servant leadership traits, including empathy, commitment, empowerment, humility, ethical stewardship, long-term vision, and resilience. Thematic analysis was implemented to pinpoint critical themes and insights that were pertinent to the success and obstacles of the project. The research tackles a critical issue: project failures frequently result from inadequate leadership, which impedes team cohesion, collaboration, and overall performance (Swart et al., 2022). Additionally, the results suggest that servant leadership significantly improves project delivery by ensuring transparency, promoting collaboration, and aligning projects with community requirements. The impact of leadership on project achievement was discovered to be mediated by employee motivation and engagement. The study's limitations include its emphasis on a particular region and project type, which implies the necessity of conducting more extensive research. There are two recommendations: the integration of servant leadership principles into project management practices and the provision of targeted training for leaders to improve team dynamics and project outcomes.

Delivering social value via the construction of legacy infrastructure assets: the case of the level crossing Removal program of projects

Legacy is a significant factor contributing to an infrastructure mega-project's success, but limited knowledge exists about how it is planned and enacted. Our paper aims to address the following research questions: (1) How can an infrastructure asset deliver a legacy of social value? and (2) How can social legacy ambitions be identified and operationalised? In answering these questions, we use an exploratory case study approach to make sense of the experiences of Melbourne’s $19.8 billion Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) being delivered over 15 years using a program of alliances. We show that the LXRP’s growth mindset was core to establishing its social legacy by influencing its vision, which shaped its strategy and triggered the design of its project delivery model, enabling the actions needed to generate social value to be realised. With limited examples of mega-projects demonstrating ‘how’ social value and legacy are created, the experiences of the LXRP offer a learning opportunity for policymakers seeking to construct transformative infrastructure assets.

The Role of Contractual Provisions in Managing Delays and Disputes: A Review

Construction projects are inherently complex and often experience delays, significantly impacting timelines and costs. Effective delay management is crucial, with contracts playing a key role in defining responsibilities and remedies, including provisions like Extension of Time (EoT) clauses and liquidated damages to mitigate financial risks. Delay analysis techniques, such as Time Impact Analysis (TIA) and the Relative Importance Index (RII), are critical for identifying delay causes, assigning accountability, and ensuring fair dispute resolution. However, challenges like unclear contract language, poor record-keeping, and inconsistent analysis methods often complicate the resolution of disputes, leading to prolonged conflicts. Establishing clear documentation requirements, fostering strong communication among stakeholders, and adopting standardized delay analysis methods are vital for minimizing disputes and facilitating efficient resolutions. Furthermore, advancements in technology, including AI and Building Information Modelling (BIM), present opportunities to improve delay management and enhance contractual effectiveness. A well-structured contractual framework, supported by robust delay analysis and dispute resolution strategies, is essential for minimizing conflicts and ensuring the successful delivery of construction projects.

Quantity Surveyors’ Approaches to Minimising Uncertainty and Safeguarding Project Delivery

Quantity Surveyors’ Approaches to Minimising Uncertainty and Safeguarding Project Delivery

A Data-Driven Decision-Support Tool for Selecting the Optimal Project Delivery Method for Bundled Projects: Integrating Machine Learning and Expert Domain Knowledge

A Data-Driven Decision-Support Tool for Selecting the Optimal Project Delivery Method for Bundled Projects: Integrating Machine Learning and Expert Domain Knowledge

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment for Sustainable Construction Projects: Leveraging Lean Techniques

To increase productivity and avoid waste, the construction industry has started implementing Lean ideas and methodologies in construction projects. Due to a lack of awareness of lean practices in the preparation, design, and execution of building and infrastructure projects, lean practices are not very familiar among construction projects, which are most commonly used in the manufacturing industry. Hence, an effort has been made in this paper to provide a comprehensive review of the literature and case studies to analyze the suitability of lean practice in sustainable waste management, increased productivity, and on-time project delivery. It aims to explore the effect of improving communication and fostering collaboration among stakeholders on time, costs, and resource management. The review identified the most commonly applied lean practices, Just in Time (JIT) and Last Planner System (LPS), and linked the adoption of lean techniques within the construction sector to a total of sixteen distinct benefits for the economy, society, and the environment. According to this study, lean techniques have a strong chance of boosting productivity in the construction industry and developing a sustainable built environment, but they also need to be used widely and continuously to achieve these goals.

COMMUNICATION CHANNELS EMPLOYED BY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS IN GOMBE METROPOLIS NIGERIA

The research focused on the evaluation of communication channels employed by construction industry professionals in Gombe metropolis Nigeria. The following question was articulated for this paper: What are the various communication channels employed by construction industry professionals and several literatures were reviewed to arrive at the identified communication channels designed for data collection. The study used an accessible population of ten construction firms, sample frame and size of 100 and 80 respectively. A total of 80 questionnaires were distributed and 71 were retrieved. Convenience sampling method was used and data collected were presented in tables and were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 23 version. The study found that a site review meetings is the most important channel of communication through which information can be passed across to professionals and inexperience in interpreting drawings and other technical aspects of construction work. The study recommends that site review meetings, general meetings and formal communication be employed as channels of communication when carrying out construction work. The study recommends that experienced professionals should always take the responsibility of interpreting drawings and the execution of other technical aspect of the construction work for the realization and delivery of quality projects.

Client Project Managers’ Knowledge and Skill Competencies for Managing Public Construction Projects

Public construction projects face unique challenges that differ from those encountered in private projects, requiring client project managers to possess specific competencies to ensure successful project delivery. However, many client project managers lack the necessary competencies for effective construction project management. This study aims to identify the essential knowledge and skill competencies required for client-side project managers to effectively manage public construction projects in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through 74 questionnaires completed by client project managers and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The results reveal that the most critical competencies include leadership, problem-solving, scope management, decision-making, and teamwork. Additionally, the findings indicate that soft skills are more crucial than hard skills for project managers. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) further grouped these competencies into seven underlying groupings. This study provides valuable insights into the key competencies needed for hiring and assigning client-side project managers in public-sector projects, and the results can guide companies and educational institutions in designing specialized training programs for these managers.

Target Value Delivery: A Simulation

Question: How can a facilitator teach the fundamental principles of Target Value Delivery (TVD) using a simulation emphasizing the importance of integrating contextual information from project partners along the value chain to establish target costs, select design solutions, and improve the delivery of value for owners? Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide practitioners and academics with a simulation to help illustrate the difference between traditional siloed project delivery and an integrated approach using Target Value Delivery principles during the design phase of construction projects. The simulation was developed in response to industry practitioners who expressed the need to demonstrate the value of engaging contractors early in the delivery process and to illustrate the value they bring to the Target Value Delivery (TVD) process. Method: The simulation presented was developed from an existing simulation, i.e., the Silo Game (Alves 2022) and the first author’s experience in playing the Silo Game and contrasting it with his own experience. A literature review of similar simulations was conducted to identify gaps and improve relevancy. The Simulation was tested with practitioners for relevancy, ease of comprehension, and process outcomes. Findings: The Target Value Delivery simulation is useful for teaching the principles of collaborative decision-making versus siloed decision-making in design. This simulation enhances the experience of participants by showing the value brought to the design process by constructors, integrating their understanding of market conditions, risks and other project contextual information. Limitations: The simulation emulates a process based on the experiences of the first author and the structure provided by the Silo Game. The simulation goes beyond design work; it incorporates constructors’ input and construction context knowledge but does not include building operators, maintenance, and decommissioning as a part of Whole Life Target Value Design (Tommelein et Ballard 2016). This paper is one additional step towards the creation of further Target Value Delivery simulations. Implications: The simulation is documented to be broadly used to teach key principles of Target Value Delivery and should be used to develop future simulations. Value for practitioners: The simulation offers a hands-on and simple way to engage participants to address questions, trade-offs, and procedural elements involved in Target Value Delivery. It can be added to a training workshop or classroom. Keywords: Target Value Delivery (TVD), Target Value Design (TVd), collaboration, integrated project delivery, value, simulation, game, Target Costing Paper type: Full paper

A Simulation for Teaching Set Based Design in Architecture Engineering and Construction

Question: How can a simulation be designed to support teaching and learning of set-based design principles among architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) learners? To what extent can a set-based design (SBD) simulation enhance the understanding of set-based design (SBD) principles in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC)? Purpose: This paper presents a simulation exercise for teaching SBD principles and processes among AEC learners. Research Method: The simulation game is presented through a physical, in-class simulation activity. A pre-and post-test survey is also incorporated into the study to assess its effectiveness among learners. Findings: The paper disseminates a novel physical simulation exercise that can be adopted for teaching set-based design principles among AEC learners. The findings demonstrate that the simulation can enhance learners’ understanding of set-based design concepts, such as mapping the design space, imposing constraints on the design, and performing the set-based design process. Limitations: The study involved two rounds of surveys with 26 student participants from the Architectural Engineering discipline. Including more learners from more diverse disciplines can be further explored and compared to the current findings. Further studies may also include practitioners and trainees within the construction industry. Implications: The simulation can be adopted to train students in a set-based design process to prepare for collaborative project delivery in contexts with the involvement of construction teams early in the design process. Value for practitioners: The paper presents a simulation that can guide practitioners in elaborating the concepts of collaborative design to project AEC teams. Keywords: simulation, games, lean design, point-based design, set-based design Paper type: full paper

Factors Influencing the Successful Delivery of Public Housing Progammes in Kebbi State, Nigeria: A Systematic Literature Review

The provision of adequate housing is a fundamental human need and is essential for the social and economic well-being of communities. In Nigeria, the government has undertaken various initiatives to tackle housing challenges, particularly for low-income populations. However, Kebbi State continues to encounter significant obstacles in effectively implementing public housing programs due to issues related to funding, planning, and management. This systematic literature review explores the factors affecting the delivery of public housing projects in Kebbi State, evaluating the effectiveness of current housing policies, the roles of stakeholders, and existing housing schemes. Through a thorough analysis of previous projects and policy frameworks, the study identifies key determinants for successful public housing delivery, including collaboration, affordability, sustainability, and effective land use. The findings highlight the necessity for a sustainable housing delivery model that fosters collaboration among government agencies, private developers, and the community, prioritizing affordability, accessibility, and efficient resource allocation. This review aims to provide insights for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance public housing initiatives that more effectively meet the housing needs in Kebbi State.

Addressing the challenges towards the adoption of digital technologies in construction supply chain management

Supply chain management has shown to be an aspect of construction that is neglected, yet with great impact on project delivery time frames and the overall cost of construction projects. This research seeks to identify, assess, and propose solutions for the challenges hindering the adoption of digital technologies in construction supply chain management, hence creating a sustainable foundation for practitioners and relevant agencies to leverage the benefits of digital technologies in the management of construction supply chain. The literature review identified challenges of digital technology adoption in construction supply chain management, guiding subsequent research. A structured questionnaire captured demographic data and insights, with 171 industry professionals surveyed. Data analysis, including Likert scale ratings and Relative Impact/Feasibility Index, informed an Impact-Feasibility Matrix. This matrix categorized challenges and strategies into quadrants, aiding prioritization. A conceptual framework emerged, offering actionable insights for addressing adoption challenges. The study identified 14 challenges to digital technology adoption in construction supply chain management, ranked by respondents. These challenges were categorized based on their impact and feasibility, with strategies mapped accordingly. The resulting framework prioritizes High Impact/High Feasibility challenges for action, while Low Impact/Low Feasibility challenges may require further exploration. This strategic approach aims to address key hurdles efficiently, enhancing the adoption of digital technologies in construction supply management. The findings from this study will inform construction practitioners and relevant agencies about the challenges hindering the seamless integration of digital technologies into construction supply chain management and propose feasible strategies for addressing these challenges.

Assessment of building information modeling adoption in building material scheduling in Tanzania’s construction industry

The building construction industry continues to face challenges that affect project delivery, one of which is the traditional practices used for building material scheduling (BMS). Studies indicate that these practices are often inefficient and prone to errors, leading to delays, cost overruns, and low-quality work, affecting the project objectives. Building Information Modeling (BIM) presents a promising solution for addressing these challenges, proven through existing integrations. However, its adoption in BMS practices in construction is still relatively low. Therefore, this study aimed to assess BIM use in BMS in Tanzania’s building construction industry. The study adopted a quantitative research approach, and the study population of 153 registered quantity surveying firms was purposively selected. The study data was collected using online questionnaires and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study findings indicate that traditional practices are still favored over BIM when scheduling building materials in Tanzania, with the most predominant practices being spreadsheets and paper-based methods. Additionally, findings suggest that BIM is not a new concept in Tanzania. However, its adoption in the current practices is relatively low, mainly due to insufficient expertise, training resources, and limited access to BIM software/tools. Moreover, findings indicate a significant belief that BIM can improve BMS practices. These insights can inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions on the necessary steps to promote BIM integration. Therefore, it is recommended that BIM adoption be prioritized by addressing these barriers to enhance project outcomes. Shifting from traditional methods to BIM will lead to more efficient and effective construction processes, making BIM's broader adoption essential for the industry's future success.

Sustainable urban digital innovation: A socio-technical competency-based approach to evaluation

This study explores the leadership competencies required in practice by city planners and managers in smart city projects focusing on environmental urban sustainability. Although the literature notes that urban technologies and their capabilities can help address sustainability challenges in cities, there is a lack of studies exploring the competency requirements necessary to foster leadership capacity. This paper identifies leadership competencies within four real-world case studies in the urban built environment, guided by a socio-technical competency framework (DC2-CF). The selected case studies represent a diverse set of city planning purposes, geographic regions, various levels of spatial scale, and socio-technical elements of digital innovation. In these case studies, city managers exhibit specific competencies to develop digital innovation projects that uphold and advance urban sustainability. The study demonstrates the relevance and practical application of DC2-CF as a valuable tool to identify competency needs for local public, private, and community stakeholders throughout diverse stages of the urban digital innovation process. The findings suggest the complex relationship between competencies and project delivery, stressing variations in how they are utilised across various projects. Drawing from these key results, this paper provides practical recommendations for city professionals, guiding them in leading climate-friendly and sustainable urban digital innovation.

Agile Practices and IT Development Team Well-Being: Unveiling the Path to Successful Project Delivery

Agile methods have become popular in the field of software development, offering improved efficiency and product quality. Despite this widespread use, fewer studies have explored in one model their effect on job stress, psychological safety, job engagement, and enhanced job and career satisfaction, which are all the factors that can impact project success delivery. Our study surveyed software development teams with extensive agile experiences. The findings showed that agile practices have a positive influence on job and career satisfaction, better job engagement, improved psychological safety, and project success delivery. However, there are high levels of job stress reported that negatively affect job satisfaction and project results. Therefore, successfully implementing agile methods depends on maintaining sustainable development practices and improving the level of motivation in the agile teams.

An Integrated Approach to Constraints Theory and Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) in Construction Projects (Case Study)

The research endeavors to harness the benefits stemming from the integration of constraint theory into construction project management, with the primary goal of mitigating project completion delays. Additionally, it employs fuzzy analysis to determine the relative significance of fundamental constraints within projects by assigning them appropriate weights. The research problem primarily revolves around two key issues. Firstly, the persistent utilization of outdated methodologies and a heavy reliance on workforce experience without embracing modern computerized technologies. Secondly, the recurring problem of project delivery delays. Construction projects typically encompass five fundamental constraint types: cost restrictions, time constraints, administrative and legal limitations, technical and design constraints, and environmental constraints. To address these issues, a field study was conducted, focusing on the development of a housing complex in Qa'imaqamiya, Al-Mada'in district, Bismayah. The researchers propose a three-stage methodology to tackle these challenges. In the initial stage, the theory of accelerated activities is applied to all concurrent implementable tasks. Subsequently, the second stage introduces a hierarchical analysis process, known as FAHP, to quantify the importance of each constraint. Finally, in the third phase, fuzzy logic is employed to calculate the projected duration and associated costs for each activity, ensuring project execution and delivery within agreed-upon timeframes. After applying the proposed methodology, there is a reduction in completion time by up to (23%). Research Type: Research Paper

Impact of Project Delivery Methods on Risk Allocation during the Planning Phase of Transportation Projects

Impact of Project Delivery Methods on Risk Allocation during the Planning Phase of Transportation Projects

Integrating BIM technology in construction for effective knowledge management: case studies and methodological insights

Integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology for effective knowledge management (KM)in the construction industry is a crucial aspect of modern construction. The construction industry is susceptible to losing its qualified and knowledgeable workers, and there are no certain plans to address this issue. The construction industry often relies on personal knowledge and experiences rather than certain analytical methods or textbook guidelines. Although various knowledge management approaches and researchers have given many perspectives on knowledge management, this study explores and compares previous management systems practices in the construction field. It investigates the implementation of BIM technologies and discusses the challenges, benefits, and potential strategies for enhancing knowledge-sharing and management processes. Knowledge management is furnished with significance through various decision-making processes, innovation, and constant learning that ends in progressing project delivery and collaboration among project teams. With regards to the implementation of the technology that involves building information modeling and knowledge management of construction projects, the analysis and comparison of some case studies that related to definite locations was conducted to discuss how cultural and development factors affect BIM involvement in construction projects. For concluding purposes, it emphasizes the importance of implementing BIM into each phase of projects not merely during the design and the construction operations but in all phases of project development. This research investigated novel ideas for improving (KM) and the application of (BIM) and also expressed that cultural and developmental characteristics have a noticeable influence on knowledge management systems based on BIM.

CRITICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS FOR PROJECT DELIVERY IN JIGAWA STATE

Communication plays an important role in project delivery in terms of relationship, trust and collaboration among internal stakeholders. This research aims to examine the relationship between factors influencing effective communication among stakeholders and construction project delivery with a view of improving communication among stakeholders in construction project delivery in Jigawa State. Questionnaire was used for data collection in Dutse capital of Jigawa state, various factors influencing effective communication among stakeholders are identified from literature review, experts and professionals working in public and private building project in Dutse capital of Jigawa state were selected using a probability sampling technique, a total of one hundred and eight (108) respondents were selected and interviewed using structured questionnaire which represent 90% of response rate. The data are analyzed by descriptive (frequencies and percentage,) and inferential statistics (spear’s man correlation, ANOVA and regression coefficient) are conducted using SPSS 25 version software. The Findings shows that Leadership, trust, communication tools, communication skills, stakeholders involvement, cultural differences and communication technology have strong correlation with successful project delivery and understanding the factors influencing effective communication among stakeholders can foster better collaboration among stakeholders, minimize conflicts and disputes, and can lead to improved project outcomes, reduced delays, and increased customer satisfaction. Leadership, communication skill and communication tools have significant effect on construction project delivery. The factors influencing effective communication among stakeholders would consequently affect the performance of project delivery. These factors can be considered as the critical factors that enhance effective communication among stakeholders for successful project delivery in...

Revolutionizing Procurement: How AI & Data Analytics Driving Cost Effective Solutions in EPC

This paper, therefore, discusses the revolution brought by AI and Data Analytics in the procurement processes of EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) and how each of the challenges, including cost control, enhanced efficiency and procurement downtime, could be solved using the two technologies. When the use of the procurement models is applied, the following benefits will be realized: supplier selection is facilitated using artificial intelligence, thereby automating the entire process; there is increased accuracy of costs compared to manual estimation, therefore reducing bias. The use of AI will allow better historical and real-time data analysis for procurement needs forecast, supplier evaluation and material cost prediction. Furthermore, machine learning algorithms can automate adjustments depending on real-time market variability, such for instance, a change in the price of the materials or a disruption in the supply chain, as well as execution flexibility regarding the project needs. Data Analytics also adds more weightage to procurement efficiency because it gives detailed analysis of the past and present procurement data. By utilizing state-of-the-art analytical frameworks, top managements are allowed to make powerful supplier analyses in relation to reliability, lead time, and cost of contracts prior to negotiations on contract supplier contracts and before contracting risks. What this study aims to do is to highlight real-life implementations of these technologies and how EPC firms can capitalize on these technologies to drive procurement efficiency, cost reduction, project delivery, and supplier relationship all for efficient project delivery. This paper thus provides a detailed discussion on the MI and TI of implementing AI and DA within procurement in the EPC sector via case studies and examples.