This study examined how and why practitioners in the modern construction industry sought information as part of their everyday work activities. A grounded theory methodology was utilized to identify the main problem and how it was resolved by the participants. The main problem was determined to be the ability to seek accurate information efficiently and effectively. A theory termed wayfinding was developed and described through interviews with 24 current constructors.These constructors were theoretically sampled from many segments of the construction industry, including construction management, general contracting, and subcontracting. Both genders and a variety of positions were sampled, and the constructors' work experience ranged from a few months to several decades. Relevant literature was incorporated from pertinent fields including urban planning, which developed the term wayfinding; architecture and interior design; and computer science. The current construction industry and its information-seeking process were detailed, including the overriding issue of time and its impact on construction.The research indicated that there were three main categories of the theory: reasons for wayfinding, wayfinding tools and methods, and types of wayfinders. wayfinding was employed by constructors for five reasons: to clarify, confirm, source, prepare, and manage risk. Clarifying, sourcing, and preparing were all found to be common reasons for information-seeking, with confirming and managing risk less frequently encountered. The tools and methods used included print sources, Internet resources, networking, branching/filtering, and cost-saving. Networking was the preferred technique, with branching/filtering and cost-saving being employed only by experienced constructors. Familiarity with the process differentiated the novice from the experienced constructor and was not solely based on the number of years' work experience. Novice constructors used physical proximity as a criterion when selecting a source of information, and selected methods purposively to avoid embarrassment.Implications of wayfinding for the practitioner and construction organization were presented. Implications in other fields were discussed for education, architecture and interior design, and technology. Problems with wayfinding included the inherent inefficiency of the design/construction system and a lack of training. Potential changes were also introduced, including technology and contractual relationships. Recommendations were made for current constructors, including novices and experienced practitioners. / Department of Educational Studies

Housing projects are amongst the South African (SA) Government’s major focus points with reference to budgeting for its financial years. The delivery of these housing projects is taking place at a slower rate than anticipated due to the problems experienced in the processes involved in their management. The project management shortcomings are a major setback with reference to the delivery of houses to the communities. It is, however, stated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) that every South African citizen has a right to housing and that the Local Government, as the closest entity to communities, must do whatever it possibly can to ensure timeous service delivery to its communities. The objective of this research is to ascertain the nature and extent of project management problems experienced by municipal project managers, the impact thereof and potential solutions to the identified problems. The study is intended to advise on possible ways to address project management problems arising during the implementation of housing projects in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) through investigation and analysis of information gathered in both theory and practice. Project management is a process of controlling the achievement of project objectives through the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques. For a housing project the main objective is to deliver safe, quality houses on time and within budget. Problems which hinder the delivery of housing projects relate to cost, time and the quality of housing projects delivered. The fact that these key project objectives are not met needs to be addressed urgently in order to improve the housing delivery. The literature reviewed and the feedback from the surveys; indicate that these problems have a vast impact on housing projects. The survey also reveals that it is not only housing Project Managers (PMs) that are unable to perform well, but also other parties involved in the project management of housing projects and which play a great role in project management failures of housing projects. Some of these parties are consultants and contractors. The lack of performance by project managers affects the delivery of houses negatively in the NMBM.

Current planning and scheduling techniques are carried out in an unstructured form with considerable reliance on planners judgement, imagination and intuition. The final product of such techniques is typically a lengthy textural and tabular report and/or symbolic network. This serves as an abstract rather than visual modeling of the real construction process. The availability of advanced computer hardware and software allows us, today, to develop new planning and scheduling techniques to overcome the current limitations. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is a computing system which makes extensive use of computer graphics. The use of CAD systems in construction presents a great opportunity for integrating engineering and construction processes in a more cost effective way. The combination of computer graphics, animation, and 3D computer modeling can be extremely effective for real-time simulation and visualization to support engineering and construction from the conceptual design to the construction process. This thesis presents a new planning and scheduling system. The system combines a construction scheduling network with 3D computer models to form a Visual Scheduling Simulation (VSS) of the construction process. The VSS system simulates, or put into motion, construction activities so they can be viewed at a graphics display. The VSS system allows the user to view the actual and planned construction sequence. The user has the option to view either: planned schedule; actual schedule; or both schedules shown side by side for quick visual comparison. The user has the option to visually simulate the entire construction project, or any specified time period. This simulation can be viewed for a partial segment or the entire configuration of the project. / Master of Science