Delay is one of the most common problems in the steel construction industry. At the time of bidding steel contractors plan tasks and assign resources according to the site visits, the information given in the contract and specifications related with the project. However, as the project progresses some conditions of the work may change. These changes may affect originally planned means and methods. Finally, the affected activities cause the project total cost and duration to increase. In steel construction projects, if not managed properly in accordance with the contract, changes are likely to result in claims between the project participants. In this study, a delay analysis methodology which is based on time impact analysis is proposed. The aim of this methodology is to quantify impacts of work changes on the schedule and cost of steel construction projects and identify the responsible parties for these changes. A risk breakdown structure is presented to help decision-makers to identify probable sources of risk factors that usually result in time and cost overruns. The potential sources of change are categorized into 3 groups: contractor-related, owner-related and external factors. By using this structure, contractors may classify changes and assign the impacts of changes to the appropriate parties. The proposed methodology comprises of 3 steps: identification and quantification of delays, allocation of these delays to responsible parties and using TIA to calculate overall impact of changes on time and cost. The major benefits of this methodology are / a) its ability to handle and quantify changes in a step by step procedure, b) it provides a graphical representation of actual progress, and c) it helps decision-makers to give reliable decisions by monitoring the impact of changes during the project&amp / #8217 / s life cycle. Construction professionals may use it to apportion impact of changes in a systematic and reliable way. Moreover, reports generated by using this methodology can provide evidence during the claim management process. An application of this methodology on a steel project demonstrates the superiority of the process in explaining the dynamic nature of changes and in apportioning the impacts between different parties in a systematic way.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Building Construction, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Oberle, Rita A.; Committee Co-Chair: Castro-Lacouture, Daniel; Committee Member: Bluestein, Fradya; Committee Member: Dobbins, Michael; Committee Member: Roper, Kathy

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / Page 62 of digitised copy may appear cut off and pages 63-64 missing due to the condition of the original hard copy. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Modern management planning and control systems dates back to World War I in 1915. The development of the bar chart during that time by Henry L. Gantt was a drastic improvement on previous methods. The size, complexity and risks associated with modern technical sophisticated projects has required the development of new methods. This led to the development of the critical path method which was developed in the United States of America during the period 1956 to 1958. Since then various methods have been developed with the aim of meeting special requirements. The extent of achieving success for construction projects, varies drastically according to the application of project scheduling techniques. This statement is confirmed by various studies conducted in an attempt to analyse the scheduling and controlling of construction projects, but due to the complexity of the time-cost-problem which is coupled to construction projects, problems are still being experienced with the successful or timeous completion of construction projects. Regarding the problems being experienced to complete construction projects timeously, this investigation will attempt to find underlying reasons for these problems and to determine proper solutions. This investigation will therefore focus on the reasons why deviations from the schedules occur so frequently, and what can possibly be done to prevent it. From the aforementioned the following can be concluded: An investigation into the reasons why construction projects making use of municipal services are often completed late, although it was scheduled with the help of network techniques. The procedure that was followed for the investigation was firstly the formulation of goals and study area. Thereafter a literature study was done that covered the following aspects of the study: • background of project management, network techniques, time and cost management; • identification of factors that could possibly contribute to the late completion of construction projects; • description of factors in terms of the following: definition and meaning of factors in context of project management; possible reasons why it occurs; consequences in the event of it occurring; possible solutions. Further follows the gathering, processing, analysing of the data and finally the conclusion and summary. With reference to this data, table i contains a list of factors that can possibly lead to the late completion of construction projects. All the factors that, according to the study, have a real contribution to the late completion of construction projects, are marked with an X in the remarks column of table i. When a project is thus initiated, it would be advisable to take note of the possible influences that the factors marked X in the remarks column of table i could have. This information is applicable to all projects in the study area irrespective of its characteristics. This information is also processed further so that conclusions can be drawn for projects with certain characteristics. This study shows that the average additional costs incurred for the late completion of a project are between 13,2 percent and 18,9 percent of the tender price, depending on the extent of the project. By focusing on critical factors, significant sums of money can thus be saved. The writer is of the opinion that the goals of the study regarding the actual subject were achieved. The results are highly applicable to the realities in practice and implementation thereof can certainly have significant results. Considering that no previous studies have been done on this subject, the focus of the study was wider than expected because the unknown is so much greater. With the study completed, further studies can now focus on the relevant aspects of the subject. This should lead to the refining of the aspects, resulting in a more practical implementation of the results. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Moderne bestuursbeplanning en kontrolestelsels dateer sedert die Eerste Wêreldoorlog vanaf 1915. Henry L. Gantt het in dié tyd die strepieskaart ontwikkel, wat 'n drastiese verbetering op vorige metodes was. Die grootte, kompleksiteit en risiko's wat geassosieer word met hedendaagse, tegnies gesofistikeerde projekte, het vereis dat nuwe metodes ontwikkel moes word. Dit het gelei tot die ontwikkeling van die kritiekepad- metode, wat gedurende die tydperk 1956 tot 1958 in die Verenigde State van Amerika ontwikkel is. Sedertdien is verskeie metodes ontwikkel wat daarop gemik is om spesifieke behoeftes aan te spreek. Die mate van tydige voltooiing van konstruksieprojekte varieer drasties na gelang van die toepassing van projekskeduleringstegnieke. Hierdie stelling word bevestig deur verskeie studies wat geloods is om die skedulering en kontrolering van konstruksieprojekte te ontleed, maar vanweë :die komplekse tyd-koste-probleem wat gepaard gaan met konstruksieprojekte, word nog steeds probleme ondervind met die suksesvolle of tydige voltooiing van konstruksieprojekte. Met verwysing na die probleme wat ondervind word om konstruksieprojekte tydig te voltooi, gaan daar met dié ondersoek gepoog word om onderliggende redes daarvoor te soek en oplossings aan -,--..::.:.~.:.:" die hand te doen. Die ondersoek gaan dus-fokus op die redes waarom daar dikwels afgewyk word van skedules, en wat gedoen kan word om die afwykings te voorkom. Vandaar dan die onderwerp, wat as volg lui: 'n Ondersoek na die redes waarom konstruksieprojekte van munisipale dienste in baie gevalle laat voltooi word, alhoewel dit met behulp van netwerktegnieke geskeduleer is. Die prosedure wat gevolg is met die ondersoek, is eerstens die formulering van die doelwitte en studiegebied. Daarna volg 'n literatuurstudie, wat die volgende aspekte van die studie hanteer: • agtergrond van projekbestuur, netwerktegnieke en die bestuur van tyd en koste; • identifisering van faktore wat moontlik kan bydra tot die laat voltooiing van konstruksieprojekte; • beskrywing van die faktore in terme van die volgende: definisie en betekenis van faktor in konteks van projekbestuur; moontlike redes waarom dit voorkom; gevolge indien dit sou voorkom; moontlike oplossings. Verder volg die insameling, verwerking en analisering van die data en laastens die gevolgtrekkings en samevatting. Met verwysing na die data, toon Tabel ii 'n lys van die faktore wat geïdentifiseer is wat moontlik kan bydra tot die laat voltooiing van konstruksieprojekte. Alle faktore wat volgens die studie 'n wesenlike bydrae lewer tot die laat voltooiing van konstruksieprojekte, is in die opmerkingskolom van Tabel ii met 'n X gemerk. Wanneer 'n projek van stapel gestuur word, sal dit raadsaam wees om ag te slaan op die moontlike invloed van die faktore wat gemerk is met In X in die opmerkingskolom van Tabel ii. Die inligting is van toepassing op alle projekte in die studiegebied, ongeag die kenmerke van die projekte. Die inligting is ook verder verwerk sodat gevolgtrekkings gemaak kan word vir projekte met sekere kenmerke. Die studie toon aan dat die gemiddelde addisionele kostes as gevolg van die laat voltooiing van 'n projek, tussen 13,2 persent en 18,9 persent van die tenderbedrag beloop, afhangende van die omvang van die projek. Deur dus te fokus op die kritieke faktore, kan aansienlike bedrae geld bespaar word. Die skrywer is van mening dat die doelwitte van die studie aangaande dié aktuele onderwerp bereik is. Die resultate is hoogs van toepassing op die realiteite in die praktyk, en die toepassing daarvan kan beslis noemenswaardige resultate tot gevolg hê. Aangesien daar nie voorheen studies gedoen is oor die onderwerp nie, was die fokus van die studie breër as wat verwag is, omdat die onbekende soveel groter is. Met die studie voltooi, kan daar nou deur verdere studies gefokus word op die relevante aspekte van die onderwerp. Dit behoort te lei tot 'n verfyning van die aspekte, en gevolglik 'n meer praktiese toepassing van die resultate.

Within the construction industry, proximity of actual to scheduled completion time is a primary performance measure, and deviations from planned schedules remain a popular concern in the field of construction management. Prevailing research assumes that delays arise either from flawed execution of the plan or from failure to plan effectively. Thus, solutions suggested include improving execution and developing ever more sophisticated planning techniques. In spite of these efforts, accuracy in scheduling construction projects has shown little or no improvement, and clients continue to incur the significant costs associated with the failure to more accurately plan. Eschewing this traditional techno-rational view, the current research turned to critical management studies for solutions and investigated planning intentionality, the intentional and unintentional roles planners play in project delays. Thus, it sought to explore the following with respect to the project planner role: optimism bias, where a planner unintentionally mitigates negative information in decision-making; strategic misrepresentation, where a planner intentionally mitigates negative information; and group dynamics in time estimation. The latter is relevant because a team rather than an individual typically embodies the planner function within a construction project. To perform this research, two mixed-methods studies, preceded by a pilot study, and seven interviews with project planners were conducted. The first mixed-methods study investigated how intended and unintended actions of participants affected underestimation of time during task performance; and the second investigated the creation of collective intentionality, the transmutation of individual preferences into a group consensus in time estimation. Results of the first mixed-methods study identified the key situational variables differentiating intended and unintended actions of planners and indicated how these can influence the quality of time estimation. Results of the second study showed that group performance in time estimation was inferior to that of individuals and that group member interaction appeared detrimental to good decision-making. Reasons found were sense of power, commitment, confidence level, cultural diversity, conflicts, and groupthink. The findings were compared and contrasted with those obtained from interviews with project planners to enhance the scope of the study.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of four High Performance Work Practices (HPWPs) on project performance in selected construction companies in Cape Town, South Africa. The four HPWPs comprised: recruitment and selection (RS); performance appraisal (PA); training and development (TD); and compensation system (CS). The study employed a positivist philosophy utilizing the survey method to collect data from 70 employees who were drawn from a select group of multi-project construction companies in Cape Town, South Africa. The respondents comprised employees who worked as project team members and line staff/ administrative staff. Non-probability sampling procedure in the form of convenience sampling technique was used for the selection of five (5) construction organisations in Cape Town, South Africa. Probability sampling procedure in the form of stratified sampling technique was employed in the selection of the respondents to complete the questionnaire.Collected data was captured and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The main research question of the study was: What is the relationship between the four HPWPs and project performance? The results indicate that CS has a weak positive relationship with project performance, whereas TD, PA and RS have weak negative relationships with project performance. It also emerged that there are other factors that significantly affect project performance other than the HPWPs investigated.The results of this study are significant because they provide a unique view of the work environment that has been insufficiently examined. Also, very few studies have focused on the above four universal HPWPs, which this study was earmarked for. The results that are obtained from this study significantly add to the overall body of knowledge pertaining to theories and their application in HRM, project performance and multi-project environments issues.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper wasto explore, using Critical Success Factors, project management approaches in successful Mega Construction Projects in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach – The research was basedoncase study inquiry strategy comprising ofthreecase studies,which incorporatedinterviews with project managers of the respective mega construction projects. Findings – Two major findings were identified. Firstly, the project management approaches that contribute to the success of Mega Construction Projects in developing countries are similar to those outlined in the literature, including; Clear project objectives, Senior management support, Stakeholders involvement and consultation, and Competent Project Team. Secondly, more specific project management approaches and Critical Success Factors within the context of developing countries were identifiedfrom the findings of the thesis, including; outsourcing and collaboration, organizational culture, and the attitude of local stakeholders. Research Delimitations – The research waslimited to mega construction projects in developing countries, and successful Mega Construction Projects achieving at least one of three overall objectives; project objectives, business objectives, and social and environmental objectives. Theoretical and Practical Implications–The study providedinsightoneffective project management approaches for Mega Construction Projects in developing countries.Thiswould allowpractitioners to get an insight onthe Critical Success Factors which drives the Mega Construction Projects towards successful completion in developing countries. Moreover, the thesis would also supportthem in cross comparing Effective Project Management Approaches in different developing regions. Besides that, the generation of new sets of Critical Success Factors had contributed to the theoretical aspects of the study.

O presente trabalho visa analisar, a partir da perspectiva do uso final de energia, os resultados do indicador de eficiência criado para averiguar o desempenho de equipamentos usados em obras de construção civil de grande porte. Dentro do setor apreciado, optou-se por analisar energeticamente apenas a fase de construção per si em razão desta etapa ser uma fase de intenso consumo energético. O presente trabalho contou com uma compilação de dados baseados no consumo de 26.121 equipamentos em operação, em 84 obras de construção de grande porte. A partir do banco de dados inicial realizou-se a análise dos dados dos equipamentos monitorados via satélite e com informações de eficiência. Por fim, estimou-se, especificamente, a variação da eficiência nos equipamentos em questão. Na busca de resultados, foi possível constatar uma predominância no consumo de óleo diesel quando comparado a outros insumos energéticos. Geradores, guindastes, compressores e caminhões foram os itens que apresentaram maiores índices de eficiência, com 99,0%, 93,5%, 93,2% e 92,3%, respectivamente. Esses resultados mostram que a maior parte destes equipamentos operam próximo ao ótimo do consumo por hora registrado no projeto. / The present work aims to analyze, from the perspective of the end use of energy, the results of the efficiency indicator created in order to investigate the performance of a group of equipment widely used in large construction projects in Brazil. The analyze comprehends only construction period itself due this step is to consider a phase of intense energy consumption. This work included a database related to the fuel consumption of 26,121 equipment during their operation, at 84 work sites in the large construction projects. From the database described, we performed data analysis of satellite equipment monitored and with efficiency information. Finally, it was estimated the variation of efficiency of the equipment in question. The results show a predominance of diesel consumption when compared to other fuels inputs. Considering our methodology, generators, cranes, compressors and trucks were the items that had higher levels of efficiency, with 99.0%, 93.5%, 93.2% and 92.3%, respectively. These results show that most of these devices operate close to the optimal consumption per hour recorded in the project.

Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) projects are becoming more complex in terms of client requirements, stakeholder issues, physical, budget and time constraints, and safety and environmental concerns. These constraints have spawned ad-hoc innovations in some AEC projects, without structured frameworks for their assessment, resulting in varying success for these innovations. The primary goal of the thesis is to test an existing framework for evaluating innovative design and construction technologies for high-rise buildings by way of a case-study. The case study is a48-story structure (with an 8-level sub-grade parkade) in a downtown setting with significant constraints and challenges. Unlike most other assessment frameworks which are single-issue based (financial, cost, time or risk), a holistic method that captures a broad range of critical issues at the micro and macro levels is used to screen a number of construction innovations. The process highlights the primary difficulty in balancing stakeholder issues, technical/engineering requirements and project goals in assessing the overall feasibility and net benefits of an innovation. As a useful tool, it facilitates the engineering/technical judgment of proposed innovations and provides evidence of a sufficient trade-off between incremental 'cost and benefits' to justify a detailed evaluation and possible subsequent use of a subset of the innovations that passed successfully through a tiered first stage evaluation process. A secondary objective is to propose appropriate quantitative models for a detailed evaluation of the screened technologies that not only seeks to quantify incremental cost and benefits (e.g. time, increased revenue, etc.) but also assess the level of certainty (in benefits and cost) of innovative construction technologies. An illustrative evaluation provides insights as to the level of modeling and analysis required to evaluate an innovative or novel strategy both at the 'activity/work package' and project levels. The quantum of data required at the pre-construction planning stage coupled with the lack of easy to apply evaluation models probably accounts for the non-prevalence of detailed quantitative evaluation of innovative construction technologies on AEC projects, especially in terms of impact at the project level and the degree of certainty with which net benefits are likely to be achieved. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Risk management (RM) should be seen as one of the most important functions in the South African built environment. Without the effective management of the risks associated with the industry, the noble vision of a sector that is efficient, profitable, and sustainable cannot be achieved. By embracing tried and tested policies that successfully mitigate risk, industry stakeholders will achieve many project successes, and will outlast any competitors that choose to ignore, or are ignorant of the fact, that the negative impact risk has on projects is inversely proportional to the level of RM employed. Construction Project Management (CPM) practices, realising that there are excellent business opportunities across South Africa’s borders, and faced with a competitive South African market, are engaging with developers and government entities involved in cross border projects in the hope of securing these potentially lucrative African projects. With this move into Africa comes increased uncertainty and risk for these CPM practices, and other project stakeholders. Similarly, CPM practices that have made the strategic decision to remain operational only within South Africa’s borders, are faced with a competitive and complex built environment and industry, made increasingly challenging by a weakening economy, exacerbated by industrial strikes, infrastructure deficiencies and a decrease in industry skill levels. This study reports on Project Managers’ (PMs’) perceptions of project failures and inefficiencies resulting from inadequate RM on projects, including the RM methodologies currently being employed. The study focused on perceptions of PMs who operate within South Africa’s borders, PMs that operate across border into other African countries, as well as PMs who operate exclusively within South Africa’s built environment framework. A study was undertaken incorporating qualitative methodologies via a normative survey. The survey was split into three main phases. Phase one employed the use of a pilot survey executed with the objective of further investigating the main sub-problems to gain more insight into the related issues and challenges. For the pilot survey, PMs were selected based on their engagement in CPM activities within South Africa as well as across South Africa’s borders into other African countries. Phase two of the main survey, with the sample stratum being the Association of Construction Project Managers (ACPM), was aimed at PMs within the ACPM who have engaged, or are engaging, in CPM activities both within South Africa’s borders as well as across South Africa’s borders into other African countries. Phase 3 of the main survey, with the sample stratum being the ACPM, was aimed at PMs within the ACPM who have engaged, or are engaging, in CPM activities within South Africa’s borders only and have not engaged in cross border activities. Survey findings identified the commercial sector and value of the projects undertaken by the practices, the level of risk associated with different client typologies, the link between inadequate RM and project inefficiency and failure, and the importance of RM on projects. Findings also identified that RM methodologies are employed by CPM practices, and that CPM practices generally endeavour to create a culture of risk awareness amongst employees. Further findings indicated that CPM practices may not always understand the risks associated with new industry sectors, regions or countries that they are considering operating within, and that that there is room for improvement regarding the effectiveness of current RM systems. Survey findings also indicated that risk is not always transferred to the correct project stakeholder most suited to managing the risk, and CPM practices are not always able to accurately quantify the costs associated with project risk. Furthermore, it was identified that CPM practices do not always undertaken risk assessments (RAs) at the correct project stage resulting in inadequate risk contingencies allowances, regular risk reviews are not always undertaken for projects, project pre-mortems are seen as valuable tools by CPM practices as a method to reduce future risk, and project post-mortems relative to ‘lessons learnt’ are not always undertaken. Conclusions outline the link between effective RM, project inefficiencies and project failure, as well as the increase or decrease in risk relative to ineffective or effective use of risk identification and management methodologies for time, cost, and quality factors respectively. Conclusions also outline the fact that although CPM practices generally understand the link between RM and project success, they are not always able to fully comprehend the risks associated with new industry sectors, regions or cross border countries. This indicates that without the adequate identification of risk, the RM process or steps that follow the qualitative risk identification process will have little or no value. This is indicative of the requirement for professional associations to consolidate risk data for industry activities with the aim of improving the level of RM industry wide. Recommendations highlight the importance of the compiling of sector specific risk registers, compiled by the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) with registered member input, made available to all PMs via the SACPCMPs online database. Further recommendations include: the engendering, by senior management of CPM practices; a healthy ‘risk aware’ culture, by promoting RM practices aligned with best practice methodologies; the implementation of well balanced and formal RM systems throughout the CPM practice, with the aim of achieving effective RM without overburdening PMs with unnecessary documentation or ‘paperwork’; the attendance of risk conferences and workshops by all CPM practices, aimed at specifically identifying challenges that exist with RM and methods that can be employed to improve the status quo; the attendance of formal risk training courses, by all CPM practices, aimed at improving the knowledge base of PMs relative to effective RM, and the appointment of risk professionals, driven by the monetary value and risk levels of the project, to undertake the RM process and unburden PMs from the task, allowing PMs to concentrate on the other project knowledge areas.

The importance of technology in construction partnering agreements has been recognised as a vital part of integrated project delivery (IPD) philosophy. Building information modelling (BIM) is increasingly being used by consultants in South Africa during the design phase of construction projects. However, its use is generally not aimed at an integrated project delivery approach, but rather as a tool to generate documentation, as BIM is generally more efficient than traditional computer aided design (CAD) software. For the full benefits of BIM to be realised, a greater degree of acculturation is required between construction project organisations (CPOs). The current cultures of CPOs are separationist in nature and tend to inhibit acculturation within the industry. BIM provides a central source of information that can improve communications between CPOs and foster a collaborative culture. The research examines IPD and BIM in the South African context and investigates how BIM can contribute to IPD. A survey was conducted among registered contractors from the three top grades and architecture practices from two regions in South Africa. The survey was placed in context by a case study that analysed the use of BIM and the resulting communication network seen in a public works project using typical procurement methods. The associated problems with the current accepted paradigm are illuminated by the research.