Embarking on a construction project means taking a risk. Project risk management (PRM) provides an effective approach to improve decision making and minimise project risk. Project risks may not possess the same level of significance for different countries, markets and projects. Current research on PRM in China has been rather theoretical, addressing technology issues. Considering the current practice in the Chinese construction industry (CCl), the PRM needs understanding and support from the industry and a mature market environment. This research aims to establish PRM strategies for identifying and adopting the best practice to provide practical guidelines for the CCl, thus improving the PRM, motivating the reform of the Chinese construction market, and enabling the CCl to function in the competitive environment of globalisation. An extensive literature review and a number of case studies for construction projects in China have been conducted, addressing issues closely related to the research. A systematic analysis is employed and developed for project planning and decision making. Contractual risks are considered as the first step and catalyst for improving the PRM in the CCl. Built on the findings from the case studies and analysis, the research puts forward a framework of contractual risk management to study the concept, identification and classification of contractual risks. Contract interfaces are analysed for contractual risk management under various project procurement routes (PPRs). The potentially large improvements to the PRM and reform of the Chinese construction market from the introduction and application of innovative PPRs and their contractual conditions are addressed. Two mathematical models -a probabilistic analysis model and an effective information entropy model for key contractual risks -are presented. The validity and applicability of the models are demonstrated with sample data for the CCl. Detailed recommendations and guidelines for the implementation of the proposed strategies are suggested.

The construction industry represents a significant part of the Gross Domestic Product, (GDP) in the UK. It employs around 1.4 million people and has averaged around 7.5% of GDP over recent years. Although the industry is of major importance to the UK economy, it still under achieves. Many projects run over budget and are completed late to schedule and a lot of resource is invested in making good defects, repair and replacement and in litigation (Latham 1994). These shortfalls in the construction industry were investigated by EGAN 1998 in his report, Rethinking Construction. EGAN proposed five key drivers for change, these consisted of committed leadership, focus on the customer, integrating the processes and teams, a quality driven agenda and commitment to people. Targets were set to gauge the improvements to the UK, these include 10% reduction in capital cost and construction time, 20% reduction in defects and accident, 20% increase in productivity and profitability and 10% increase in predictability of project performance. This thesis reviews one of the most important drivers, which is the improvement to integrate construction processes through improved project controls. The aim of the Thesis was to investigate by a literature review, a questionnaire and survey and three audits of client’s processes and work practices how Project Controls was currently operating to deliver Projects on time and within budget. It was then necessary to review (how based on best practice) current Project Control processes and systems could be improved. The improvements are portrayed by the development a series of “road maps” and “tool kits” demonstrating how processes and systems could be improved. This research thesis investigates the status of Project Controls in the UK and develops methodologies to improve controls. The investigation of Project Controls is based on five pieces of work, namely; i) A literature review of current practices; ii) The development of a questionnaire and survey results; iii) Three client reports of work carried out by the author. The five pieces of work were then contextualised to form a commentary of findings and recommendations for improvement. The recommendations were then linked to a methodology for improvements to the key elements of Project Controls. The aims of the thesis were achieved in that many issues of weakness were identified in current Project Control systems and processes and “road maps” were developed identifying in detail how best practice should be adopted. The thesis identifies major weaknesses in control of major projects with examples such a Pharmaceuticals, Building construction and Road construction industries demonstrating minimal understanding of the concepts and benefits of effective control. It could be described as disappointing series of examples of why some of our Industries fail to deliver to cost and schedule. However, the thesis does layout via “road maps” how improvements could be made, this knowledge has in part been shared with some clients in the Pharmaceutical and Road construction. The thesis therefore does demonstrate a contribution to knowledge and some of its recommendations are being implemented in practice. The primary conclusions of the Thesis indicates that with the exception of Oil & Gas companies there are major gaps between what is accepted as best practice and what is happening in Industry with regards to Project Controls. There is a lack of understanding at Project Control engineer and Project Manager Level. There is a need for additional training in particular for Project Managers as their understanding and ability to see the benefits is paramount to driving forward effective planning and control for projects. Also it is necessary that robust Project Control procedures are established in all industries to integrate the cost and planning disciplines to ensure a common approach to best practice is adopted.

Os atrasos de obra têm se tornado comuns na indústria da construção, afetando o desempenho dos empreendimentos e causando prejuízos consideráveis para todos os envolvidos. Este trabalho analisa as principais causas de atraso em projetos de construção e propõe um método estruturado que auxilie o uso efetivo de ferramentas de planejamento físico, bem como boas práticas e instrumentos de controle de prazo. Inicialmente, realizou-se uma ampla revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema. Em seguida, uma pesquisa de campo em 50 obras relacionadas a empreendimentos imobiliários (construídos em um período de cerca de nove anos) para se identificar os principais fatores que influenciaram seus atrasos. Com base neste estudo inicial, propôs-se um primeiro referencial estruturado de práticas de planejamento e gestão de prazos que evitem a ocorrência dos vários problemas ou causas de atrasos levantados na pesquisa anterior. Estudou-se a viabilidade destas práticas através de uma segunda pesquisa de campo detalhada, em outras 8 obras mais recentes de mesma tipologia. Além disso, buscou-se uma validação das práticas por profissionais que atuam nos processos de planejamento de construtoras. Finalmente os resultados de todas estas análises são utilizados para refinar e consolidar um método que evite a ocorrência de atrasos e que apoie uma boa gestão de prazos de obra em projetos imobiliários. / Delays are common in the construction industry. They create many concerns for project performance and cause considerable losses to project parties. This research analyze the main causes of delay in construction projects, and it propose a structured method to improve the current use of time planning tools and control instruments. Initially, a literature review and a field survey with 50 real estate construction projects in Brazilian cities (built in a period of nine years) are conducted to identify the main factors influencing the delays. Next, tools and assumptions to improve the control of project deadlines are identified, thus avoiding the occurrence of various problems raised in the previous survey. This study also proposes a time management framework that consolidates these practices and tools studied. The viability of the practices is measured in other recent projects, by a second field survey in 8 recent construction projects. In addition, validation of the practices by professionals who work in planning processes in construction companies was done. Finally, the results of all these analyses are used to consolidate a method to avoid delay occurrence and to support good time management in real estate projects.

Companies have a need to internationalize and locate all over the world to gain advantages against competition. However, when companies internationalize, they face difficulties. One of the major difficulties is how they can reach the same high quality around the world in their business facilities. Over one third of all construction projects reporting major defects. The purpose of this thesis is to research how companies implement Quality Management in offshore construction projects, what are the common challenges related to the subject and how to overcome these challenges. The theoretical framework for the study is gathered from academic literature. The thesis uses a qualitative research approach. The primary data is gathered through interviews and observations that are conducted on an offshore construction site. The case study in this thesis researches how a multinational company handles Quality Management in an offshore construction project.  The company’s Quality Management guidelines and practices have been established in Europe, whereas the location and context of this study is in Southeast-Asia. The difference in business context and cultures causes additional challenges in implementing Quality Management in the project. After analyzing the data, the company’s Quality Management practices are compared to suggested practices in the academic literature. These suggestions can be valid for other multinational companies that are expanding to different continents. The results show that when companies do offshoring decisions, relationship quality with contractors and partnership credibility should be central attributes, even if it means doing business with higher priced companies. Many companies do not focus enough on the quality aspect in the contractor tendering phase. Instead they tend to base decisions solely on cost and speed even though bad quality work results in increased costs and delays in construction projects.

The thesis is inquiring into the theory of construction contract management process. The current contract procedure is demonstrated on real life example of the Joint-stock construction company Stavcent. The aim of the thesis is to explore the procedure implemented during contract management process followed by proposal of possible innovations in this area. The research is as usual divided into theoretical and practical part. The theoretical part introduces the selected topic. The practical part presents the Stavcent, JSC at first, followed by description of single phases of the construction contract; beginning with record keeping, preparation of the offer, budget, timetable, selection and evaluation of suppliers and subcontractors, inventory administration and finally invoicing. The conclusion of the practical part is devoted to possible future innovations in contract management.

I dagsläget är byggbranschen hårt styrt av att uppnå hög standard, rätt kvalitet, nå kortare byggtider och detta ska ske till en lägre kostnad. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur viktig kommunikationen i byggprocessen är, om det finns ett samband mellan kommunikation och om projektet uppnår sitt förväntade resultat. Vilken betydelse har målbildens förankrande och programmets utformning för projektets chanser att uppnådda det förväntade resultatet. Studien grundar sig på subjektiva resultat, utifrån de medverkande byggaktörernas uppfattning, och mäter därmed inte frågeställningarna objektiv. Resultatet av de kvantitativa undersökningarna i denna studie visar på att det finns ett samband mellan den allmänna kommunikationen, målbildens tydlighet under projektet och målbildens uppfyllelse. Resultatet visar även att det inte finns någon tydlig koppling mellan dessa punkter och kommunicerande av målbilden i projektet. Studien visar att målbilden inte behöver vara gemensam och väll förankrad hos alla medverkande aktörer i det specifika projektet. / In present the building industry is focused on reaching high standard, right quality, reach shorter building times and this shall be done to less expense. The purpose with this study is to examine how important the communication is for the building process, if there is a connection between the communication and if the project reaches the expected goal. What meaning has the anchor to the goal image and the programs design for the projects chance of success. The study is found on subjective results, from the contributing building contractor opinions, and measures there by not the questions objective. The results of the quantitative examine in this study targets out that in a connection between the general communication, the goal images clearness under the project and the goal images fulfilment. The results even show that there is no clear connection between these three targets and the communication about the goal images. The study shows that the goal images do not need to be common and good anchor to all contractors involved in the specific project.

Company F is a well-known petrochemical group in Taiwan. In the early stage of the company founded, the engineering manpower is not sufficient for construction project. All construction projects generally execute with a whip style organization. Into the growth stage in the 1970s, the manpower of the engineering department has been quite adequate with professional skill. In that time, the whip-style organization of plant construction project change to function-style organization model. After the start of the 1990s, a large petrochemical expansion project was start; more than 10 plant construction projects must be executed at the same time. Company F allowing the use of a whip-style project management model to save project manpower. In last 10 years, both of two project organization modes were used when the petrochemical expansion coming to an end. According to the past experience, part of project has been quite successful and part of project failing in schedule, quality and cost control. In this thesis, according to individual construction project practices evaluate the management procedure and mode. By following the engineering management standards of company F combined with the basic concept and theory of project management, supplemented by practical engineering experience to identify the key success factor for project management. And by the case study analyzing optimized project management model for engaging in plant construction project management to follow. This study will summarize the operation procedure of plant construction project management and the standard of project management organization by integration of existing project management specification and the experience of construction projects. That will compare with the literature of project management field and organizational model, than by the personal experience of construction project cases to evaluate the different point of project management field to find the successful and failed reason then find out key success factors. Followed by the combination of standard project organization, literatures of project organization mode and plant construction project cases evaluate what is the best project management model. The key success factors of construction project management can be used to improve the management of construction project for engineering department and company. By the analysis of the optimized construction project management model, the results could be referred for the future of all kinds¡¦ construction project. According to the results, that could supply the improving suggestion for engineering management execution of the engineering department to ensure more safety, quality, cost and schedule control on the construction management. KEY WORDS: Project Management,Construction Management,Project Organization,Project Manager,Construction Project,Key Success Factors

<p>I dagsläget är byggbranschen hårt styrt av att uppnå hög standard, rätt kvalitet, nå kortare byggtider och detta</p><p>ska ske till en lägre kostnad. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur viktig kommunikationen i</p><p>byggprocessen är, om det finns ett samband mellan kommunikation och om projektet uppnår sitt förväntade</p><p>resultat. Vilken betydelse har målbildens förankrande och programmets utformning för projektets chanser att</p><p>uppnådda det förväntade resultatet. Studien grundar sig på subjektiva resultat, utifrån de medverkande</p><p>byggaktörernas uppfattning, och mäter därmed inte frågeställningarna objektiv. Resultatet av de kvantitativa</p><p>undersökningarna i denna studie visar på att det finns ett samband mellan den allmänna kommunikationen,</p><p>målbildens tydlighet under projektet och målbildens uppfyllelse. Resultatet visar även att det inte finns någon</p><p>tydlig koppling mellan dessa punkter och kommunicerande av målbilden i projektet. Studien visar att målbilden</p><p>inte behöver vara gemensam och väll förankrad hos alla medverkande aktörer i det specifika projektet.</p> / <p>In present the building industry is focused on reaching high standard, right quality, reach shorter building times</p><p>and this shall be done to less expense. The purpose with this study is to examine how important the</p><p>communication is for the building process, if there is a connection between the communication and if the project</p><p>reaches the expected goal. What meaning has the anchor to the goal image and the programs design for the</p><p>projects chance of success. The study is found on subjective results, from the contributing building contractor</p><p>opinions, and measures there by not the questions objective. The results of the quantitative examine in this</p><p>study targets out that in a connection between the general communication, the goal images clearness under the</p><p>project and the goal images fulfilment. The results even show that there is no clear connection between these</p><p>three targets and the communication about the goal images. The study shows that the goal images do not need</p><p>to be common and good anchor to all contractors involved in the specific project.</p>

Research collaboration between academia and industry is a form of knowledge creation in construction industry project management. This research collaboration is motivated by the intent to provide solutions to issues and problems that industry faces through research expertise and a scientific approach. Notwithstanding the potential benefits acknowledged by researchers, collaborative academia-industry research has not been sufficiently explored and there only exist a few studies addressing research success and success factors. Several main reasons for this include; 1) the success of collaborative academia-industry research has not been well defined, 2) there exist limited empirical studies, and 3) the research process of collaborative academia-industry research has not been systematically investigated. The primary purpose of this study is to improve the process of the collaborative academia-industry research for construction industry project management by identifying key process attributes and success factors. First, this study suggests a definition of the success and success criteria of collaborative academia-industry research based on literature review. Then this study evaluated more than 150 research efforts of the Construction Industry Institute (CII), a non-profit research organization sponsoring academia-industry collaborative research for more than 30 years, against the established success criteria to identify successful and less than successful research efforts. Multiple methods were adopted for the evaluation including web-based surveys, research product dissemination data, journal citation counts, and expert group assessment. By analysis and triangulation of the data collected from those multiple sources, this study identified 11 research efforts for further analyses. In-depth cases studies on the 11 research efforts were conducted focusing on the research process through interviews with a total of 39 academics and industry practitioners who participated in those research efforts. Information from interviews and other relevant data were analyzed for each case as well as across the 11 cases to identify key process attributes and factors contributing to research success. Consolidated findings from the cross-case analyses generated 9 key process attributes and associated success factors with significant potential to improve the research process of collaborative academia-industry research. / text

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.