Norwegian Construction Projects Research Articles

Application of machine learning to limited datasets: prediction of project success

Much research is conducted on the importance of success factors. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by using artificial intelligence (AI), specifically machine learning (ML), to analyse success factors through data from construction projects. Previously conducted studies have explored the use of AI to predict project success and identify important success factors in projects; however, to the extent of the authors’ knowledge, no studies have implemented the same method as this study. This study conducts quantitative analysis on a sample of 160 Norwegian construction projects, with data obtained from a detailed questionnaire delivered to relevant project team members. The method utilises ML through a Random Forest Classifier (RFC). The findings obtained from the analysis show that it is possible to use AI and ML on a limited dataset. Furthermore, the findings show that it is possible to identify the most important success factors for the projects in question with the developed model. The findings suggest that a group of selected processes is more important than others to achieve success. The identified success factors support the theoretically acknowledged importance of thorough and early planning and analysis, complexity throughout the project, leadership involvement, and processes supporting project success.

Crime in the AEC-industry: Opportunity space for the quality assurer

The literature recognizes criminal behavior in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry as a growing problem that needs to be addressed. The purpose of this study is to identify the opportunity space a quality assurer (QA) has to commit work-related crime within Norwegian construction projects. The analysis focuses on the role in general and not individuals. Despite this, the methodological basis is based on a specific case. The project chosen can be representative of other Norwegian building and construction projects, and the insight are relevant to other contexts. The primary data is obtained through nine semi-structured in-depth interviews with key figures within the industry. Furthermore, a literature search has been carried out to identify knowledge gaps. The results identifies an opportunity space in a number of processes in which the QA is responsible. The QA has significant influence within projects and has the opportunity to manipulate the QA-systems to his advantage. Furthermore, there is little experience amongst the interviewees with this opportunity being exploited. The results from this study and published data support that a third-party control, distancing of bonuses and stricter sanctions will be the most effective measures. However, there are few comprehensive reviews of this research field to date. It seems that little research has been published on the topic of what opportunity space there is for a QA within AEC-industry. The article will help to identify discrepancies, knowledge gaps, deficiencies in routines, systems, controls and etc. Furthermore, the article can be used to improve the overall quality assurance.

Ethical challenges during construction project handovers

The paper reports on case studies of handovers in medium-large and large Norwegian construction projects. It outlines an understanding of the ethical challenges experienced during this handover as part of a wider enquiry into the ethical field in the context of the Norwegian construction industry. In addition to a literature review and document study, 41 semi-structured interviews have been carried out in accordance with a qualitative approach. Four of these were general in nature (with policy makers) and 37 case-specific (with clients, contractors and user representatives). The paper establishes a descriptive picture of significant ethical challenges at handover experienced within the Norwegian construction industry. The most prominent of these stems from the participants' own hidden agendas and power plays. Clients, contractors and subcontractors alike tend to be systematically suspicious of one another. Signs of participants repetitively utilising the complexity involved for their own benefit at the expense of others are identified. The main costs involved seem to reinforce these challenges. Further research is needed to clarify challenges and develop appropriate measures to address these issues on both operational and policy levels.

Best Value Procurement (BVP) in Norwegian Construction Projects

The traditional contractor selection method, based on lowest price, has resulted in conflict, low quality products and a waste of resources. The need for an alternative supplier selection method has resulted in Best Value Procurement (BVP). BVP seeks to increase project value by utilizing the expertise of the contractor, while reducing the client’s management, direction and control. Currently, pilot projects in the Norwegian construction industry are testing the method. This paper addresses 1) how BVP is implemented in practice, 2) what the experiences with BVP are, and 3) how BVP should be performed in future projects. The research was carried out through a literature study and two Norwegian case studies. A building project and a medium-size infrastructure project in the Norwegian public sector were investigated through nine semi-structured, in-depth interviews and document studies. The findings show that the practical use of BVP is in accordance with the theoretical approach. Furthermore, the experiences with BVP are mainly positive. However, some challenges have been identified, such as the clients’ and contractors’ lack of knowledge and experience with the BVP method. This may reduce the potential project value. The conclusion is that BVP is an effective and promising method for contractor selection and project management. However, for the success of future projects using the method, clients and contractors may benefit from more knowledge and experience with BVP. This can be done by training and by being persistent in using BVP in future projects. This paper is a revised version of a paper that has been published in the proceedings of the Creative Construction Conference 2018.

The top 10 universal delay factors in construction projects

PurposeProjects often face delays and unnecessary use of time due to various factors and reasons, and hence suffer from unfavourable consequences. The purpose of this paper is to identify the universal delay factors from an intensive literature review, complemented by delay factors in major Norwegian construction projects based on empirical data.Design/methodology/approachThe study in which this paper is based includes an intensive literature review, and semi-quantitative open survey questionnaires. This paper addresses frequency and type of delay factors in construction projects, in Norway based on the survey, and worldwide based on the previous studies.FindingsFrom the study, the causes of delays facing the Norwegian construction industry are: poor planning and scheduling; slow/poor decision-making process; internal administrative procedures and bureaucracy within project organisations; resources shortage (human resources, machinery, equipment); poor communication and coordination between parties; slow quality inspection process of the completed work; design changes during construction/change orders; sponsor/owner/client lack of commitment and/or clear demands (goals and objectives); late/slow/incomplete/improper design; office issues; and users’ issues. And the top 10 universal delay factors are: design changes during construction/change orders; delays in payment of contractor(s); poor planning and scheduling; poor site management and supervision; incomplete or improper design; inadequate contractor experience/building methods and approaches; contractor’s financial difficulties; sponsor/owner/client’s financial difficulties; resources shortage (human resources, machinery, equipment); and poor labour productivity and shortage of skills.Research limitations/implicationsWhen it comes to the identification of delay factors in major Norwegian projects, the research is based on a sample of 202 respondents from an open survey questionnaire. It should be noted that analysing a large population of respondents that have been asked open questions can be challenging due to the vague findings it might lead to. Also, when it comes to the identification of the universal delay factors, there were different methods used by different authors, within different context. Similar future studies in Norway based on qualitative and quantitative methods will give better verification for the findings.Practical implicationsThis paper has documented the critical delay factors/causes in Norway. The results of this study will help project managers, in Norway and elsewhere, to be aware and know about the potential causes of delay in their construction projects, which will help to identify the possible risks in the early phases of the project. Another practical implication is to make project managers and policy makers conscious that delays are quite universal, making it necessary to identify them as a first step.Social implicationsThe identification of delays factors and causes can permit projects to implement mitigation actions to avoid delays, thus allowing delivering schools, hospitals and other necessary infrastructure on schedule or ahead of schedule to society.Originality/valueThis paper highlights most (almost all) of the studies in the literature, including to the study done in Norway, concerning the delay factors in construction projects and large construction projects in general. This wide review of relevant literature will save time other academicians from having to conduct similar studies. This study will assist both academic and professional experts providing more insight about the delay causes in large-scale construction projects.

Causes of Delay and their Cures in Major Norwegian Projects

Several projects encounter delays and unnecessary use of time as a result of to various factors and hence suffer unfavorable consequences. The Norwegian construction industry is no exception. There are factors causing delays in Norwegian construction projects which have many negative effects on all parties, including the projects’ outputs and outcomes. This paper will identify the main time issues (delay factors) in major Norwegian construction projects and the recommended solutions. The methodology on which this paper is based includes an intensive literature review, open questionnaires and unstructured interviews with practitioners. The paper addresses frequency and type of delay factors in major Norwegian construction projects and their solutions. It is based on an open questionnaire, which gave the opportunity to discover new delay factors and possible remedies: thus we encourage similar studies in other countries to uncover other possible delay causes and solutions.

Ethical behaviour in the design phase of AEC projects

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on studies on the ethics in the design phase in Norwegian construction projects. The ambition is to establish a descriptive picture of ethical challenges practitioners meet in the design phase in order to raise awareness among them.Design/methodology/approachIn addition to a literature review and a document study of ethical frameworks within the industry, interviews with key participants were carried out according to a qualitative approach. The study was undertaken in order to address framework conditions for handling ethically challenging situations, challenges of an ethical nature practitioners commonly encounter in the design phase and finally the structural (systemic) reasons for such challenges.FindingsThis research finds indications of actors manoeuvring in the design phase for own benefit at the expense of other actors. The findings equally indicate that the design phase poses significant challenges in light of tender documents pricing and exploiting cost reimbursement contracts. In some of the projects examined, participants shifted loyalty after novation contracting and they actively tried to steer the decision processes in their own favour.Originality/valueThere does in fact seem to be perceptions of a room of manoeuvre between what is unlawful and what is ethically sound in this phase.

The Influence of Project Commitment and Team Commitment on the Relationship between Trust and Knowledge Sharing in Project Teams

The purpose of the study is to enhance our understanding of the relationship among trust, commitment, and knowledge sharing in project teams. We examine how trust directly and indirectly affects knowledge sharing. We include two different foci of commitment that are highly relevant to project teams: team commitment and project commitment. A mediation analysis is conducted on data from 179 project team members in 31 Norwegian construction project teams. Our results suggest different effects of the two foci of commitment, indicating that, in a project team context, project commitment is more important for knowledge sharing than team commitment.

Integration of BREEAM-NOR in Construction Projects: Utilizing the Last Planner System

According to the general literature, maximizing the potential of BREEAM-NOR could significantly contribute to create a greener and more sustainable construction industry. Lean Construction techniques promise to eliminate waste in the production process and consequently maximize the customer value of the final result. According to literature, these are traits where many Norwegian construction projects that strive to meet the requirements of a BREEAM-NOR certification seem to fall short. BREEAM is the most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings today, with the main objective to secure more sustainable construction practices. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the documented pull-effect created by the Last Planner System (LPS) can be utilized in reducing challenges that arise from a managerial push-strategy. The context of the analysis is certifying construction projects in accordance to BREEAM-NOR. A case study of the projects was conducted in a Norwegian construction company. Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with key actors in the projects, consisting of project managers, construction supervisors, Accredited Professionals, trainees, foremen and squad bosses. In addition, weekly squad meetings as well as regular lookahead planning sessions were observed. All of the projects were design and build and two of them aimed for the BREEAM-certification class Excellent. A preliminary literature study that identified common challenges related to the requirements of BREEAM-NOR and discussed how they could be resolved, served as a basis for this research. A majority of the observed challenges when introducing BREEAM-NOR requirements to construction projects seemed to stem from a managerial push-strategy within the project organization. Positive effects of implementing the pull-strategy of LPS proved a plausible measure to reduce these challenges, by introducing a shift in strategy from push to pull. Furthermore, a planning strategy was suggested based on findings from the case study. The strategy intended to optimize the integration of BREEAM-NOR in the LPS-system in order to ease the process of integrating BREEAM-NOR requirements, thus creating more sustainable projects. This paper uncovered the possibility of a reduction in incremental costs related to the requirements of BREEAM-NOR. Through reducing waste and improving workflow, value can be increased for all stakeholders involved including owner, contractor, customer and the society at large.

Remedies for Managing Bottlenecks and Time Thieves in Norwegian Construction Projects – Public vs Private Sector

Reducing project execution time is an important aspect in today's construction industry. In practice, most construction projects are delivered behind schedule. This creates an incentive to find methods, processes and techniques to deal with elements which steal time and bottlenecks which cause delays. This paper address the magnitude, frequency and type of time-thieves and bottlenecks in various phases of construction projects from different construction firms and organizations in the public sector in Norway. It also discusses remedies to mitigate time thieves and bottlenecks. The questionnaire used was designed and tested to give a broad and open data collection. The purpose was to collect opinions from senior project managers and project members in order to identify time-thieves, bottlenecks and remedies and analyse the data to assertain if there are common and/or different opinions or perspectives in public and in private sectors. This study will provide an insight into the problem, time-thieves and bottlenecks, itself. The firms in this study are part of a larger national programme called SpeedUp. The programme focuses on every aspect of speeding up projects. The SpeedUp programme is a 10 million USD research programme with 5 researchers and 7-8 PhD students. It is linked to Project Norway which is a research-based collaboration of Norwegian project-based organizations in the public and private sector.

Defects at Handover in Norwegian Construction Projects

This paper reports on a study of the most common buildings defects at the handover, and examines the causes of defects, the consequences for main contractor, subcontractors, users and clients and improvement opportunities. The purpose of the study is to help better planning at handover with less deviation to increase value for client, contractors and users. The case study based research including a literature study and case studies from the respective cases and interviews with key participants from both the clients’ and contractors’ organization. The results show that the most frequent defects registered at the handover are related damage to surfaces. These are usually due to by human errors, fall of tools, locating of heavy materials, transportation of goods and materials and time limits. These are mostly neither difficult nor expensive to correct. Defects related to the technical installations are the next area that has the most frequent negative deviations. The technical installation should work together to complete the whole system functioning, so problem in one component prevents the whole system to fully functioning. The main reason for defects is incomplete and poor design. Economic losses and undermine confidence between the different stakeholders in the construction industry are the main consequences of defects. More attention to technical installations and less on surface appearance during the handover process, following up standard contracts, detailed and realistic forward planning to avoid time constraints and continues dialogue with client recommended to avoid defects.

Main Challenges Found in the Handover of a Shopping Centre in Norway

There seems to be a common understanding that the Norwegian construction industry faces challenges concerning the presence of delays and defects in the handover process. However, little research has been found regarding countermeasures to avoid these problems. This paper forms a part of a research project on handover processes in Norwegian construction projects, initiated by the municipality of Trondheim. It is supposed to work as a pilot study for further research, and examines: 1) Consequences of delays and defects, 2) the causes of them and 3) potential countermeasures that can be implemented.The case studied was the expansion of a shopping centre in Norway, a complex project, both structurally and organisationally. In addition to a literature review and a documentation study, nine semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted. All of the interviews were case-specific, with client, contractor and user representatives respectively.The consequences of delays and defects were severe and resulted in additional costs, lower quality on the final product and psychological strain for the involved actors. Short construction period, diffuse contractual relationships, lack of quality assurance and a high degree of alteration work are found to constitute the most crucial causes. On the basis of the observed challenges different countermeasures are suggested. Building commissioning, realistic project plans, control on deliveries and independent control are recommended as countermeasures.The findings indicate a great potential for improvement by keeping the control throughout the whole project. Further experiments are needed to substantiate the recommendations of this paper.

Challenges Found in Handover of Commercial Buildings

This paper examines the handover process in Norwegian construction industry, focusing on commercial buildings. Improving handover processes reduces the number of conflicts, increases user value, improves indoor climate along with securing overall building performance, both in closing construction phases as well as throughout the building lifetime. As little research is found on the subject, a collective project was initiated by the municipality of Trondheim. This case study is limited to a single, environmentally certified, office building in Norway. The paper aims to determine main delay and defect causes. Finally, some countermeasures are identified. A literature review along with a document study was performed. Seven semi-structured, case specific interviews were conducted in addition to a pilot study consisting of three interviews on the same topic. The case respondents are project managers from contractor and client with extensive experience from the Norwegian construction industry. Several causes in contractor-client interfaces were identified. Among the most critical were late changes and decision-making, lacking understanding of limitations and potential in design-build contracts, conflicting interpretation of specification of work along with complex technical installations. Possible countermeasures are found to be strict decision planning, sufficient time buffers, early reconciliation of client expectations together with sufficiently detailed specification of work and significant specialist knowledge in complex technical coordination. This paper investigates a little scrutinized part of Norwegian construction projects in an effort to better commercial building performance and profitability. Future research on multiple construction projects would help confirm or disprove findings and the identified countermeasures.

The impact of commitment and climate strength on the relationship between trust and performance in cross-functional project teams

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to shed more light on the complex relationship between trust and performance in the context of cross-functional project teams. This study presents a moderated mediation model that investigates the impact of team trust on team performance mediated by project commitment and moderated by climate strength (the consensus among team members on the level of trust).Design/methodology/approachTo test the proposed model, data were collected from 179 project team members in 31 Norwegian construction project teams.FindingsResults indicated that project commitment fully mediates the relationship between propensity and trustworthiness and team performance, while it partially mediates the relationship between cooperation and team performance. For monitoring, there results showed no mediation. The results yielded no support for the moderation effects of climate strength, suggesting that the mean-level approach to studying trust at the team level still is important.Research limitations/implicationsCross-sectional survey data suffer from being unable to test causality and samples are relatively small. Future research should test the models on other samples and in combination with data other than self-report. Longitudinal and multilevel studies are also warranted.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that trust has an impact on project commitment and both directly and indirectly on team performance. Interventions to develop a high trust climate in project teams can thus contribute to improved project performance.Originality/valueThis study offers new insight into the complex relationship between trust and performance and improves our understanding of trust in cross-functional project teams.

Cost Development Over-time at Construction Planning Phase: Empirical Evidence from Norwegian Construction Projects

Every capital-intensive constructions project goes through various challenges throughout their project life cycle. However, one crucial challenge is to understand and trace cost development over-time at planning phase. The research aim is threefold: firstly, to identify the critical factors of cost development in the planning phase. Secondly, to investigate empirically a dyadic relationship of cost deviation over time and quantitatively chart their developments. Thirdly, to analyze the construction cost data, discuss their cost developments and identify critical projects based on their actual financial impacts. The research considers 110 projects and analyze them using qualitative and quantitative research methods. The results showed higher cost escalation in the planning phase. The research identified critical factors for cost escalations at the planning phase. The average cost escalation of 110 projects (<5%) seems good, but some projects showed large cost deviations with lower financial impacts and vice versa.

A framework for Organizing a Resilient Cost Benefit Analysis for Construction Projects

Large public-investment construction projects require advanced decision support systems. The traditional (static) cost benefit analysis (CBA) is one of the early-phase decision support system in construction business. The purpose of this paper is to develop a resilient and dynamic CBA framework for road construction projects. The research systematically reviewed academic quality ensured and rigorous peer-reviewed articles (from web of science and publish or perish databases) and discuss selected Norwegian construction projects. The research identified some key attributes (e.g. resiliency, dynamics, system thinking) that the traditional CBA lacks and the framework developed integrates these attributes to fill the gap. The research has theoretical implication from the methodological improvement perspective (e.g. attempting to integrate complex attributes). The practical implication is to avoid inefficiencies and obtain better regulation in government policies. The results could be used on go/no go decision for the Norwegian Megaproject (E39 ferry-free coastal highway construction).

Managing Concurrent Construction Projects Using Knowledge Management and Set-based Thinking

One key issue in construction industry is how well firms manage concurrent projects effectively and obtain required construction benefits. However, achieving this is not easy and challenging because several activities need tacit and explicit knowledge involved. The purpose of this research is to develop a generic knowledge management (KM) algorithm using ‘learning from’ and ‘sharing to’ (LXS) matrix. We discussed the main concepts and strategies for rapid learning through KM in construction projects. Some of the concepts discussed include set-based thinking, agile project management and planning, iteration management. Moreover, the research discussed these concepts in light of one of Norwegian construction project program. The research first looked at key literature in the field, identify the crucial issues in organizing KM in construction projects, and finally elaborate the case of E39 ferry-free highway construction proposed by Norwegian public road authority (NPRA). The result from the KM matrix showed smaller projects are better to learn from all of the project phases than the large projects. The vice versa is true from sharing perspective. The results instigate the roles of learning and sharing and urge to intervene systemic KM in concurrent construction projects management.

Ethics in Commissioning in Construction

In this paper, a pilot study on the commissioning processes in Norwegian construction projects is reported upon. The study was undertaken in order to address both the general questions of ethics in construction project management, and more specific questions pertaining to the commissioning phase of such projects. In addition to a literature review and a documentation study, 13 semi-structured interviews were carried out according to a qualitative approach. Four of these were general in nature (with clients) and nine case-specific (with client, contractor and user representatives). Based on the results, a description of ethical challenges in commissioning in construction is established. The findings indicate that a commissioning process poses significant challenges in light of hidden agendas and power play among actors. Clients and contractors tend to be systematically suspicious of one another. Major costs in play reinforce this. The findings included the signs of actors repetitively utilising the complexity involved in the commissioning phase for own benefit at the expense of other actors, which is relevant for both clients and contractors. Further research is needed in order to clarify the challenges involved and to develop appropriate measures to address these challenges.

Solution Selection in Digital Construction Design – A Lazy User Theory Perspective

The construction industry is in the midst of a transition with traditional design systems being gradually replaced by novel virtual modeling technologies. This transition takes place gradually rather than radically and while new systems (e.g. Building Information Modelling) become increasingly diffused in the industry, many legacy systems and practices are left intact. This leads to situations where designers have several different information systems at their disposal to fulfill their information needs. This is amplified by software vendors releasing a myriad of new design systems. How individual designers select an information system from several available options to fulfill their information need is discussed in this article. The findings suggest that construction designers will most often select a design system solution fulfilling their information needs with the least effort on their part. The theoretical approach supporting the analysis in this article is the so-called Lazy User Theory (LUT). LUT explains how users select among available solutions when there are numerous products and services possible. Preferred solutions reflect (1) a user's perceived information need (e.g. function of urgency, type, and depth) and (2) the user-state which is the situation in which the user is at the moment of information need. The findings presented in this article are derived from a case study conducted in a Norwegian construction project. The findings show that users’ choice of design systems reflected local and circumstantial considerations rather than what is best for the project. This article is important for several reasons. First it contributes to an understanding of what are influential considerations for designers when selecting design solutions. Second, it illustrates how local system selection decisions may affect the digital work at project level.

Time-thieves and Bottlenecks in the Norwegian Construction Projects

Abstract Utilizing time effectively and efficiently is one of the important factors that can determine the success of achieving desired results of projects. Nevertheless, several projects come across delays and unnecessary use of time due to various reasons, and hence suffer from unfavorable consequences. Construction industry is not exceptional. There are elements that “steal” time in construction projects; and, there are bottlenecks that cause delays. This paper will present the first findings from the SpeedUp project survey conducted in seven public and private organizations in autumn 2014 in Norway. The purpose with the study was to establish –what arethe most common factors extending project life cycle or makingproject going slower than planned. We have conducted a broad literature review that aimed to establish – what are the most common delays factors mentioned in the literature and the result from the literature review has been analyzed against our data from the survey. This paper will present the ten most common “time-thieves” and “bottlenecks”revealed in the SpeedUpproject survey. It willidentify the major “time-thieves” and “bottlenecks”seen from owners, consultants and contractors views.This identification can be seen as a mapping process that will lead to find out possible causes as well as possible efforts, those can be carried out in order to deal with slow pace and delays in construction projects. This study on “time-thieves” and “bottlenecks” in the construction industry will contribute to shade light on important improvements areas for the construction industry.