• A Decision Support Tool for the Valuation of Variations on Civil Engineering Projects

      Sutrisna, Monty; Buckley, Kevan; Potts, Keith F.; Proverbs, David G. (RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors), 2005)
      The valuation of variations has been recognised as a prime cause of conflict and dispute in construction management. Such disputes often concern the prices and/or rates to be applied to the varied works. Previous research has identified the subjectivity of the decision-maker in interpreting the valuation rules to be the major problem, particularly with regard to defining the work conditions and/or characteristics during a variation event. Findings of a survey, conducted to elicit the views and perceptions of experienced practitioners towards interpreting the valuation rules are presented. The development of a decision-making tool based on a robust framework for valuing variations in civil engineering projects is described. The tool was developed by analysing changes in various decision attributes. The result of the changes was then mapped to relevant sets developed using fuzzy-logic principles. Various operators were used to perform the fuzzy-aggregation operation. The modelling technique was demonstrated to be reliable in replicating the decision-making process performed by experienced practitioners. As such is considered a suitable aid for decision-making involved in valuing variations on civil engineering works. The results of the analysis reported here have suggested the fuzzy-logic as an appropriate tool to model human decision-making, particularly in valuing variations on civil engineering works. This is considered an essential progress of the current study in modelling human decision-making process, particularly since there are so many unknown aspects associated with such a process. The modelling technique successfully developed here is then used as the main algorithm for decision-making in the subsequently developed Knowledge Based System (KBS) which is intended to assist practitioners minimise conflict and dispute arising from the valuation of variations.
    • A Study of Risk Management Practices in the Nigerian Construction Industry.

      Isimemen, Judith Ejohwomu. (2014)
      The multiplier effect of the construction industry to both developed and developing countries cannot be overemphasised. The 2012 construction sector review purports that the UK construction industry has an annual turnover of more than £100 billion and accounts for 10 per cent of the country’s GDP. In contrast Nigeria, which is urbanising at one of the fastest rates in the world, contributes only 3.2 per cent in terms of Gross Domestic Product. In other words, the contributions of the construction industry warrants persistent review of its gaps; risk and uncertainty are particularly rife in most Nigerian construction projects, and the cost implications are severe enough to influence its low GDP contribution and beyond. The aim of this research effort is to understand the competitive advantage (value chain) of enshrining risk management practices up and down the construction supply chain. A literature review was first conducted to identify and categorise different risk management practices on and off a construction site. In turn, the population for the study was determined using stratified random method of sampling. The units of analysis in this case study are contractual interfaces and organisational structure, of which there can be hundreds in a typical case. After an initial scoping study – the administering of 150 questionnaires – of risk management practices amongst general contractors. Fourteen in-depth interviews were conducted across a typical value chain. Drawing on principles of grounded theory, interview transcripts were analysed through a combination of content analysis and graphical representation of contractual and organisational structures. Clients and contractors were found to be risk averse even though they claimed to have formal written procedures for risk management. Their awareness of the importance of risk management in construction business is more of lip services. A graphical representation of the Nigerian contractual structure, supply chain and value chain was achieved. Consequently, a conceptual model is developed for enshrining risk management practices in developing countries. The micro and macro implication of the prescribed model is subject to its testing and validation.
    • An exploratory study of GIS based analysis of Health and Safety related information

      Heesom, David; Oloke, David; Proverbs, David G.; Young, Christopher; Manase, David (University of Wolverhampton, 2008)
      Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive show that the UK construction industry has approximately 80 fatalities per year, making the construction industry one of the most dangerous industries when compared to other industries. The reduction of construction accidents in the construction industry has led to the need for thoroughly analysed construction environment information which can be effectively utilised in formulating construction health and safety planning strategies, thus enabling the construction industry meet accident reduction targets. However, existing approaches to information analysis mainly focus on factors within construction health and safety information during analysis and do not shed light on the influencing socio-economic and spatially influenced issues within which the industry’s accident contributory factors are rooted. It is also clear that limitations of information usage in the construction industry are due to the fragmented nature in which health and safety information is availed to practitioners for ultimate utilisation in the construction process. There is, therefore, a need for more appropriate decision-support mechanisms that can take account of spatial contributory factors to accident occurrence. There is also a need for mechanisms that enhance the management, analysis and utilisation construction environment information from varied sources for integration in the construction process. The failure to utilise information from varied sources in the construction industry, means that adequately analysed information is lacking for integration in construction health and safety planning strategy formulation process. This study was initiated as a response to this challenge. This prompted further research into the utilisation of health and safety information and its integration in the construction process. A survey involving 215 construction stakeholders was conducted to establish the limitation and requirements of health and safety in the construction industry. Results derived through qualitative analysis further emphasised the need for enhanced health and safety information analysis and integration for use in decision making. The research explored how the spatial element present in all in construction environment information could be utilised to account for accident contributory factors. This led to the exploration Geographical Information System (GIS), a mechanism that takes into account spatial aspects of bodies of information of the phenomenon being explored, for its potential capabilities in management and analysis of construction environment information. The implementation of the GIS-based system known as Geographical Information System for Accident Prevention (GISAP) is then presented. The evaluation of the system by prospective end-users reveals the limitations and benefits of the system implementation and recommendations made for further research. In conclusion, it was clear from this study that this approach has the potential to provide a quick referencing GIS success that can link, organise, analyse and display accident data and other construction and non construction environment data. This can assist stakeholders in decision making during formulation of construction health and safety strategies. The approach can improve understanding of analyses and can enhance the handling of queries related to accident data and other data. This innovative approach can also offer an extra dimension of safety information management, identify trends and areas for effective accident preventive action and ultimately enable development and directions of future work and to engender wider debate.
    • An investigation into the impact of culture on construction project performance

      Ankrah, Nii (University of Wolverhampton, 2007-10)
      For many years, government backed reports have continued to deplore the poor performance of the construction industry with many projects failing to exceed or live up to the expectations of clients. There is a common belief that the culture of the construction industry is one of the factors that has an impact on its performance. The culture of the construction industry at the project level is often associated with such attributes as fragmentation, antagonism, mistrust, poor communication, short-term mentality, blame culture, casual approaches to recruitment, machismo and sexism. These attributes are in turn associated with project outcomes like litigation, poor health and safety performance, and inferior quality. Whilst such associations are helpful to the extent that they focus attention on the failings of the industry, and point to aspects that need to be improved, they are arbitrary and often based on no more than anecdotal evidence, and as such do not provide a systematic basis for assessing the real impact of culture on performance. This research was thus undertaken to look for empirical evidence of a relationship between cultural orientations and project performance outcomes. Adopting social cognitive theory and defining culture as the unique configuration of solutions – embodied in attitudes, behaviours and conditions – that a construction project organisation and its members adopt in dealing with problems at the project level, a quantitative research methodology was employed in investigating the culture within the project coalition, also referred to in this thesis as the construction project organisation (CPO). CPOs were profiled to determine their cultural orientations. Several project performance indicators were also assessed and the relationships between these performance measures and the cultural orientations were examined. Analysis revealed five principal dimensions of culture along which project organisations differ. These dimensions are workforce orientation, performance orientation, team orientation, client orientation and project orientation. With the exception of performance and client orientation, the other dimensions of culture were found to be significantly associated with project performance outcomes. These associations were modelled using multiple regression, and from these models it can be inferred inter alia that projects with higher workforce orientation have better participant satisfaction and innovation and learning outcomes. Projects with higher team orientation have better participant satisfaction and health & safety and quality outcomes. Likewise projects with higher project orientation have better health & safety and quality outcomes. Although causality cannot be assumed, these findings support the thesis that culture matters. It is therefore recommended that project participants – and in particular contractors, devote more effort and resources towards improving the orientations of their CPOs in respect of the dimensions of culture identified as having significant association with project performance outcomes, particularly workforce, team and project orientations.
    • Assessing off-site readiness in construction organisations cases from India

      Rana, Muhammad; Arif, Mohammed; Kaushik, Amit; Bendi, Deepthi; Sawhney, Anil (Emerald, 2021-07-09)
      Purpose This paper intends to present factors affecting the Indian construction organisations in adopting Off-Site Construction (OSC) methods. Design/Methodology/Approach An existing readiness maturity model has been used to assess three large organisations in different parts of India. A case study methodology has been adopted in this paper to highlight critical issues in OSC adoption in India. Findings This paper presents three case studies and concludes the Indian construction sectors readiness to adopt the OSC methods. Through the case studies, different issues related to the adoption of OSC have been identified and highlighted for the Indian construction sector. Although the three companies are large, there are several Small and Medium-sized Enterprises’ (SME) operating in India's construction sector, and future research shall be needed to review these SMEs. Originality/Value Through the three case studies, several factors related to the implementation of OSC methods have been identified and highlighted within the Indian construction sector. Although the model has been applied to the Indian construction sector, it can easily be modified to fit into other areas and similar dynamics and business conditions. Practical Implications The proposed OSC readiness maturity model guides construction practitioners in India through a structured process to assess their OSC readiness in the market. This assessment enables them to evaluate and benchmark their processes through the strategic and operational phases. This research will add to the existing knowledge of OSC in India by mapping issues relevant to India's construction industry. The research has provided background on the status of OSC, the drivers and barriers affecting the implementation of Off-site Construction techniques in the Indian construction industry. Limitations: This research study is broadly focused on developing and assessing an off-site construction readiness framework for Indian construction organisations. The research scope and the population for data collection are limited to Large construction organisations in India only.
    • CONBPS - an Expert System to Improve the Efficiency of the Construction Process

      Poon, Joanna; Potts, Keith F.; Musgrove, Peter (RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors), 2003)
      The aim of the research outlined in this paper is to develop a best practice process model for building projects based on the use of an expert system. The CONstruction Best Practice System (CONBPS) focusses on projects which are based on the traditional procurement strategy, using the JCT 80 standard form of contract. The model clearly identifies the sequence of construction activities. It also identifies the roles and responsibilities of the major parties on the building team and the issues within the project cycle, which can prove critical to project success. The system incorporates many user-friendly functions, including the provision of multi-choice icons and the provision of an on-line help function. Besides, it also provides interim and final reports which are used to advise the participants on the success factors that they have ignored and to which aspects they should pay more attention. A framework was initially developed focussing on the whole design process with a full knowledge-based system developed for the Inception Stage. CONBPS can be used as a teaching/learning tool to assist teachers and students to better understand the construction process. Also, it could prove useful to project managers and all the participants in the construction process.
    • Development of cost benefit analysis model of accident prevention on construction projects

      Hammond, Felix Nikoi; Ikpe, Elias Okede (University of Wolverhampton, 2009)
      The Health and Safety Executive estimated the annual cost to British employers and other duty holders failing to comply with health and safety requirements to be up to £18 billion. It is estimated that the construction industry contributed £2billion of these appalling statistics. To date, health and safety management is still perceived as being costly and counterproductive in the construction industry. This research investigated the net benefit of accident prevention and explored the relationship between preventative costs and these benefits, with a view to drawing attention to the economic consequences of effective/ineffective management of health and safety by contractors in the UK construction industry. The need to investigate the cost of accident prevention in relation to overall benefits of accident prevention is therefore deemed necessary. A quantitative research methodology was employed in investigating these costs and benefits within the UK construction industry. From the ratio analysis small contractors spend relatively higher proportions of their turnover in total on accident prevention than medium and large contractors, and medium contractors spend a higher proportion of their turnover in total on accident prevention than large contractors. The results also show that medium and small contractors gain relatively higher proportions of their turnover in total as benefits of accident prevention than large contractors. The benefits of accident prevention far outweigh the costs of accident prevention by a ratio approximately 3:1. The relationships between these costs and benefits were examined. The costs of accident prevention were found to be positively and significantly (P < 0.005) associated with benefits of accident prevention. These associations were modelled using simple linear regression, and from these models it can be inferred from the results that the more contractors spend on accident prevention the more they derive benefits of accident prevention, which would improve health and safety performance on construction sites. ii The developed model was subsequently validated using experts and practitioners opinion from the UK construction industry. This developed model should provide good guidance to assist contractors in developing effective and efficient health and safety management for UK construction industry.
    • Evolving Trends in nD Modelling: The Construction Planning Workbench

      Aranda-Mena, Guillermo; Sher, William; Gameson, Rod; Ward, Peter (Earthscan, 2005)
      This paper investigates the requirements of product modelling in the construction industry. Product models incorporate multifaceted aspects of design information (required at each stage of the lifecycle of buildings) by integrating additional information (such as time, costs, etc.) into a three-dimensional (3D) computer model, thereby adding intelligence to it. The project also investigates methodologies for automatically linking construction processes with 3D CAD models to allow users to visualize and simulate construction methodologies. Our study adopts a qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 key design and construction professionals from two major Australian companies. Data were coded in relation to six main clusters – themes and summaries of results are presented as repertory grids. The paper identifies some of the risks and opportunities of implementing nD modelling in the construction industry. Analysis of data indicates a shift to 3D CAD, with a strong interest being identified for integration of CAD and construction programming. Although the use of product models is not presently seen as feasible for this purpose, the increasing use of 3D CAD is seen as positive. Results indicate a need for alignment models and user-friendly technologies if product models are to assist communication between clients, consultants and construction companies. (Earthscan)
    • Factors and procedures used in matching project managers to construction projects in Bangkok

      Ogunlana, Stephen; Siddiqui, Zafaar; Yisa, Silas; Olomolaiye, Paul (Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2002)
      A number of factors and associated sub-factors influencing the matching of project managers to construction projects were identified after a thorough review of related literature and interviews of management personnel involved in the selection of project managers. There appears to be a consensus among the construction industry management in Bangkok on the factors, which influence the selection of construction project managers. A detailed survey of the top 100 construction companies in Thailand was conducted, to determine what factors are used in the industry to assign project managers to projects. A total of 73 completed questionnaires were received from 36 companies. It was established that influencing factors attract some degree of relative importance irrespective of the construction project category. The data showed no statistical difference between the three project categories in the weights given to the various factors considered for project manager assignment. Personal characteristics are considered least important for effective project management. It is argued that, at least in the Thai context, contractors are careful in assigning Project Managers that are capable of meeting external customers' needs. A matching model was developed based on the identified influencing factors and the relative importance they attached in the process of selecting the construction project managers. The model requires input in terms of the project requirements and evaluation of candidates' characteristics with respect to the influencing factors.
    • Factors Influencing Contractor Performance: An International Investigation

      Xiao, Hong; Proverbs, David G. (Emerald Publishing Group Ltd., 2003)
      International comparisons of contractor performance can provide robust benchmarks for contractors in different countries and help to identify ways towards performance improvement. Based on a hypothetical construction project, overall contractor performance (OCP) in Japan, the UK and the USA is compared. Overall contractor performance is defined to embrace construction cost, construction time, construction quality and sustainable development, the philosophy being that the achievement of one aspect of performance should not be at the expense of another. Multiple regression analysis reveals that overall contractor performance is dependent on: their past performance on previous similar projects; their commitment towards lifetime employment; their perceived importance of time performance; their relationship with subcontractors; and the number of design variations during construction. To improve their overall performance, contractors are advised to focus on construction time, reduce delays, maintain a stable workforce and establish partnerships with their subcontractors. Clients should attempt to reduce design variations during construction. (Emerald Group Publishing Limited)
    • Flood Damaged Property: A Guide to Repair

      Proverbs, David G.; Soetanto, Robby (Wiley, 2004)
      With climate change and the development of property on flood plains, the flooding of buildings has become a considerable problem, both for property owners and their insurers. This book, based on extensive research, provides guidance on how to assess and repair flood damaged properties. CONTENTS: Introduction to flooding; Preparing for a flood; Flood characteristic; Drying out flooded building; Reinstatement of flood-damaged floors; Reinstatement of flood-damaged walls; Reinstatement of flood-damaged doors and windows; Reinstatement of flood-damaged utilities and fittings; Conclusions and summary. (Blackwell Publishing)
    • Investigation of Evaluative and Facilitative Approaches to Construction Mediation

      Brooker, Penny (Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2007)
      Purpose – The paper seeks to examine the debate on mediator style and provide empirical evidence on mediator orientation, which has implications for party choice and the development of professional standards for construction mediators in the UK. Design/methodology/approach – This paper analyses the theoretical arguments and distinctions in mediator style and assesses the available evidence relating to the utilisation of evaluative or facilitative mediator approaches in the UK and US construction industry. The paper reports on data from qualitative interviews with construction lawyers experienced in using mediation in the UK to assess the level of evaluative conduct experienced. Findings – The findings suggest that interviewees had experienced a mix of evaluative and facilitative interventions by mediators. The data support the contention that construction mediation in the UK mirrors the experience of the USA and is becoming “lawyer-driven” and adversarial, with mediators utilising evaluative techniques which some members of the legal profession prefer. Research limitations/implications – The qualitative data are based on a small sample of mediation users in the UK construction industry. However, interviewees were selected from respondents to a randomly conducted large-scale postal survey of commercial and construction lawyers. All interviewees were repeat users of the process and all but one had received training in mediation or are practising lawyer-mediators. Practical implications – The data provide evidence of different mediator techniques currently utilised in the UK construction industry and the practices of lawyers in the mediation process. The findings have implications for party choice and should inform the development of professional standards in construction mediation practice. Originality/value – The paper provides original data on the practices of mediators and lawyers in construction mediation.
    • Modelling the Satisfaction of Contractors: The Impact of Client Performance

      Soetanto, Robby; Proverbs, David G. (Wiley InterScience, 2002)
      An assessment of the performance of UK clients on 55 ‘case projects’ as considered by contractors is presented and used to develop models of contractors' satisfaction. Principal component analysis (PCA) reveals five dimensions to contractor satisfaction, classified in this research as (i) support provided to contractors, (ii) clients' attitude, (iii) clients' understanding of their own needs, (iv) quality of clients' brief, and (v) financial aspects of performance. Knowledge of these models should enable clients to perform better, which is conducive towards satisfactory participant performance and overall project performance. The models identify three key aspects of client performance that are found to significantly influence contractors' satisfaction levels, namely, (i) the capability of the client's representative, (ii) the client's past performance and project management experience and (iii) the financial soundness and reputation of the client. Additionally, the nature of the project and certain characteristics of contractors also influence satisfaction levels. The models demonstrated accurate predictive power and were found to be valid and robust. Clients could use the models to help improve their performance, leading to more successful project implementation. This will also promote the development of harmonious working relationships within the construction project coalition (PC). (Emerald Group Publishing Limited)
    • Modelling the Supply and Demand for Construction and Building Services Skills in the Black Country

      Ejohwomu, Obuks Augustine (University of Wolverhampton, 2007-12)
      Evidence seems to suggest that with 14 years of unbroken economic growth, the UK’s construction and building services sector is experiencing severe skills crisis of between 40 – 50 per cent retention rate and declining numbers of entrant trainees. More importantly, the level of this severity varies with sub regional and regional peculiarities. To date, most studies on this area have focused on increasing the population of the existing pools of labour rather than harnessing existing ones. Adopting the concept of multiskilling, current techniques of evaluating skills crisis were critically reviewed. While there has been some empirically beneficial application of this concept in the US, it is a rarity in the literature to find previous works on multiskilling in UK’s construction and building services sector. Adopting an action research approach, a Project Steering Group of industry stakeholders served as a research ‘think tank’ for validating empirical results, and in line with the theory of construct validity, instruments of survey were designed and operationalized in a pilot and major surveys of supply and demand sides’ target groups. Employing the relative index ranking technique, the forecast implications of UK’s economic stability are ‘real’ and a demand led system is prescribed as a tentative ‘cushion’ for sustainable but immediate redress. A time series data for the period 1961 – 2004 is explored and systematised quantitative demand led models for evaluating construction output based on aggregated and disaggregated manpower attributes are developed using principal component regression (PCR). Aggregating these models, it is deduced that multiskilling could help redress skills shortage in the long term. A new trade equilibrium framework and a multiskilled focused partnership in training programme are prescribed with response strategies and recommendations.
    • Optimum utilisation of FGD waste in blended binders

      Mangat, P.S.; Khatib, Jamal M.; Wright, L. (Thomas Telford, 2006)
      The pollution caused by the wastes of semi-dry and dry flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) processes and the increasing cost of disposal make their utilisation imperative. The paper presents the first part of a comprehensive investigation to optimise the use of FGD wastes in concrete manufacture. Batches of FGD materials from actual industrial disposal sites and laboratory simulations based on fly ash and gypsum were investigated, representing the following categories: non-siliceous and deleteriously reactive; non-siliceous and non-reactive; siliceous and pozzolanic active. Generic relationships were derived that emphasise the importance ofSO3 content on concrete properties. There is an exponential relationship between strength and SO3 content and also between strength and SiO2+Al2O3. The results show that SiO2–Al2O3–CaSO4- basedFGDwastes withSO3<15% retard early strength but increase long-term strength. Mortars containing fly ash–gypsum (FA–G) blend (25% replacement) with gypsum contents up to 35% (SO3 content up to 18·37%) do not suffer long-term strength reduction. An optimum FA–G blend has an SO3 content less than 10%. Author(s): P.S. Mangat 1 , | J. M. Khatib 2 , | L. Wright 3
    • Strategies to cope with stress among construction professionals: an integrated perspective

      Chinyio, Ezekiel; Riva, Silvia; Hampton, Paul (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, 2018-04-29)
      Stress is a major concern in the construction industry (ci), with work overload, time pressure, a number of organizational tasks and physical demands as the common stressors. Although stress in the ci has been studied extensively, there is a lack of clarity on the ways to cope with it. Based on these considerations, the current work is aimed at identifying factors that contribute to stress among industry professionals, considering the coping strategies they should use and examining the effects of stressors on their health and well-being. A descriptive review of the current literature was conducted on stress and coping strategies in construction. The methodology applied was a descriptive review, using different databases and specific keywords terms. The coping strategies applicable include both adaptive and non-adaptive strategies. The use of adaptive coping strategies determines an increment of job performance, positive outcomes and personal growth. On the contrary, the use of non-adaptive coping strategies has detrimental effects on industry professionals' physical and mental well-being with little consideration given to the spill over effects of work stress to their family and social relationships. Recommendations for improving coping include both promoting the use of effective coping strategies and maintaining supportive social relationships, supporting training and education of professionals, and improving research in the ci using an integrated perspective.
    • The health and safety impact of construction project features

      Manu, Patrick; Ankrah, Nii; Proverbs, David; Suresh, Subashini (Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2014-01-14)
      Purpose – Despite the established significance of underlying accident causes to health and safety (H&S), and the persistent reporting of the underlying accident causal influence of construction project features (CPFs) which emanate from pre-construction decisions, no empirical research has focused on CPFs in terms of assessing their degree of potential to influence accident occurrence. The purpose of this paper is to, therefore, investigate this facet of the accident causal influence of CPFs. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed method design was used involving semi-structured interviews, and a questionnaire survey of UK construction professionals. Findings – CPFs generally have a moderate or a high potential to influence accident occurrence, implying a fair or severe potential to cause harm in terms of the H&S of workers. The degree of potential of CPFs to influence accident occurrence is influenced by: the extent to which certain proximate causes of accidents are common/prevalent within CPFs;and the degree of potential of those proximate causes to influence accident occurrence. Originality/value – These findings provide insight into the H&S consequences of CPFs, awareness of which is essential if pre-construction project participants are to implement appropriate risk control measures especially in the early phases of projects to mitigate the accident causal influence of CPFs. The findings reinforce the contribution of clients and their design and project management teams to accident causation, the significance of the early planning of H&S in construction project delivery, and the importance of driving mechanisms such as the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.
    • The Performance of Contractors in Japan, the UK and the US: A Comparative Evaluation of Construction Cost

      Xiao, Hong; Proverbs, David G. (Routledge (Taylor & Francis), 2002)
      Globalization of the world economy demands that performance comparisons are undertaken at an international level. A new research protocol has been developed for comparing contractor performance internationally by combining the appropriate characteristics of two established approaches in order to balance the requirements of comparability and representativeness. This new approach is used to reveal some important international performance characteristics among Japanese, UK and US contractors. Building costs in the UK, when adjusted for exchange rate fluctuations, are significantly higher than those in Japan and the USA. Furthermore, cost certainty and client satisfaction are higher in Japan than in the UK, but there is no significant difference between Japan and the USA. Disparities in cost performance between the three countries are believed to originate from differences in the relationships between contractors and clients and also in the construction process. (Routledge)