Construction claims are considered by many project participants as one of the most disruptive and unpleasant events of a project (Ho & Liu, 2004). Researchers like Kumaraswamy (1996) argue that claims managers should focus not merely on the significant claims categories but also on the avoidable ones, to minimize the damaging effects on a given project. It becomes apparent that the causes underlying different claims categories have to be identified so that controllability and avoidability may be established. This research examines the issues by looking at the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the second largest single industry after oil and gas sector, where claims and disputes are a major problem in the country. 51 leading construction participants including clients, consultants and contractors alike in the UAE were sampled for the study. The analytical results of the survey were further examined, compared and validated via the analysis of the data collected from 45 construction projects. The main findings of the first phase of study lead to the establishment of an index system called Claim Focus Index (CFI) that further establishes the finding of the 16 most significant types of claims and disputes in the UAE. The study continues to examine the underlying causes of the most significant types of claims and disputes and has identified unique sets of the root causes specific to each significant type of claims and disputes. These shall establish the basis to formulate strategies to focus on avoidability and minimization of claims and disputes.

The outcome of this research is an Intelligent Retrieval System for Conditions of Contract Documents. The objective of the research is to improve the method of retrieving data from a computer version of a construction Conditions of Contract document. SmartDoc, a prototype computer system has been developed for this purpose. The system provides recommendations to aid the user in the process of retrieving clauses from the construction Conditions of Contract document. The prototype system integrates two computer technologies: hypermedia and expert systems. Hypermedia is utilized to provide a dynamic way for retrieving data from the document. Expert systems technology is utilized to build a set of rules that activate the recommendations to aid the user during the process of retrieval of clauses. The rules are based on experts knowledge. The prototype system helps the user retrieve related clauses that are not explicitly cross-referenced but, according to expert experience, are relevant to the topic that the user is interested in.

A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE HIGHER DEGREES COMMITTEE OF THE CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF TECHNOLOGY: CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2008 / This study investigated the impact of variation orders on project performance in order to take proactive measure to reduce them. The study had the following objectives, namely (1) to investigate the prevalence of variation orders on construction projects; (2) to determine the cost impact of variation orders; (3) to examine to what extent variation orders added value to construction projects; (4) to determine whether the activities associated with variation orders may be regarded as waste; (5) to identify the predominant origin agent as well as the causes of variation orders; and (6) to establish the nature and extent of the impact of variation orders on overall project performance. Literature relative to the research area was extensively reviewed. The data gathering approaches included an exploratory study on costs of variation orders on two construction projects, interviews with three top management personnel in construction contracting companies, the audit of site instructions with regard to waste and their value-addedness and self-administered questionnaires. A purposive sampling method was followed to identify participants into the study. The audit of site instructions revealed that most variation orders were beneficial. However, 14% of site instructions had waste associated with them. It was possible to quantify apparent waste associated with variation orders by means of an ‘origin-cause matrix’ designed for that purpose. Problematic situations arising from the occurrence of variation orders included discrepancies between the claimed and certified amounts. Variation orders impacted project performance with regard to cost and time overruns and disputes between parties to the contract. Most variation orders involved additional works. The complexity of works was the most predominant factor influencing the occurrence of variation orders. The reduction of the occurrence of variation orders was traced back to the pre-contract stage given that the most predominant origin agent of variation orders was the client and then due to an unclear brief of works to be executed. Suggestions regarding the reduction of variation orders include (1) adequate planning in advance is required by all involved parties before works start on site, (2) consultants should do a thorough concluding design and working drawings and contract documents should be complete at tender stage, (3) clients should provide clear brief, (4) enhance communication and all parties should be proactive at all times, (5) works should be supervised with an experienced and dedicated supervisor and (6) consultant should ensure that the design/specifications fall within the approved budget and the budget team should be appointed and participate during the design phase. The study suggests further investigation regarding the development of a more equitable basis of valuation of cost recovery which was beyond the scope of this research.

Thesis (MTech (Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The supply of housing products that is durable, obtained at optimum cost and available within the shortest time possible describes the term sustainable housing. Findings derived from the reviewed literature concerning the ever-increasing quest of construction clients for ‘best value for money’ on construction projects brought about the emergence of alternative contract procurement strategies. Essentially, literature revealed that it is vital to adopt an appropriate contract procurement strategy, one that best addresses particular project needs and objectives, as the adoption of an inappropriate procurement system would result in excessive project cost and time overrun, low project quality standards and the dissatisfaction of involved construction stakeholders. The quest for the supply of sustainable housing in the Western Cape, South Africa, prompted the need to establish an effective contract procurement strategy for housing project delivery. Noteworthy, this study identified five (5) objectives directed towards establishing an effective contract procurement strategy to enhance sustainable housing delivery: 1) the first objective examined the effectiveness of contract procurement strategies used for housing projects; 2) the second objective identified the factors influencing the selection of a suitable contract procurement strategy for housing projects; 3) the third objective analysed the influence of contract procurement strategies on project cost, time and quality; 4) the fourth objective examined the benefits and shortfalls associated with various contract procurement strategies on housing project resources – construction materials, machinery and manpower; 5) and the last objective was to establish the contract procurement strategy that is most effective for the delivery of sustainable housing. This research adopted a mixed methodological approach involving the administration of close-ended quantitative questionnaires submitted to construction professionals and stakeholders and semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with construction site managers and supervisors. SPSS version 24 software was used to analyse the quantitative data elicited, and “content analysis” was used to analyse the information obtained through the qualitative interviews. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient reliability test was conducted on scaled research questions to ensure the reliability of the research questionnaire. The research findings revealed that the traditional and the design and build contract procurement approaches are cost, time and quality effective and therefore satisfactory, while the traditional contract procurement system is also effective regarding construction stakeholder satisfaction. The research identified that the significant factors influencing the selection of a contract procurement strategy include delay and mistakes in producing design documents; client inability to brief and make timely decisions; project type, nature, scope and complexity; lack of communication and feedback; lack of discipline among construction workers; and finally, lack of availability of construction materials. The study concluded that thorough consideration of these findings by construction stakeholders within the construction industry will enhance the delivery of affordable, sustainable housing. The research study recommends, among other issues, the comparison of effectiveness of contract procurement strategies on project performance on a site-by-site basis, through work study and other available strategies, to further enhance sustainable housing delivery in the South African construction industry.

O presente trabalho analisa a qualificação do tipo social do contrato de EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) na ordem jurídica brasileira em face do tipo legal do contrato de empreitada. Investiga-se, portanto, a existência de identidade ou diferença entre ambos os tipos a fim de que se possa dar ao EPC a devida qualificação jurídica. Para isso, no Capítulo I, são apresentados os caracteres gerais dos contratos de construção, com foco na delimitação do espaço normativo específico ocupado pelo contrato de empreitada. No Capítulo II, apresenta-se o Contrato de EPC. São delineadas suas principais características gerais para que, em um segundo momento, possa-se aprofundar a análise a partir do emprego do método tipológico. Por fim, no Capítulo III, demonstra-se a forma como o regulamento dos contratos atípicos mistos em geral é construído para, posteriormente, analisar-se a formação do regulamento do EPC em seus principais pontos. / The present work analyzes the qualification of the social type of the EPC Contract (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) in the Brazilian legal order in consideration with the legal type of the works and supply contract. It is therefore investigated the existence of an identity or difference between the two contractual types in order to give the EPC the appropriate legal status. For this purpose, in Chapter I the general characteristics of construction contracts are presented, focusing on the delimitation of the specific normative space occupied by the works and supply contract. In Chapter II, the EPC Contract is presented. Its main general characteristics are presented so that, in a second moment, one can deepen the analysis using the typological method. Finally, Chapter III demonstrates the way in which the regulation of mixed atypical contracts in general is constructed, so that it can be analyzed the formation of the EPC regulation in its main points.

M.Ing.(Engineering Management) / Delays are a major problem faced by construction companies. The majority of the leading delays factors found from reviewing other studies were avoidable delay factors. The avoidable delay factors are factors caused only by the contractor. The reviewed studies gave recommendations for addressing the delay factors; however this study found that projects nevertheless still failing in South African construction industry and other countries even after the various studies made recommendations on how to avoid the delay factors. The objectives of this study were to establish the top ten avoidable delay factors and their mitigation measures in various countries and also to establish which of the proposed mitigation measures for each of the top ten avoidable delay factors were believed to be the answer in South African construction industry. A questionnaire was developed with questions that will probe the respondents to select the mitigation measures that will address each of the ten avoidable delay factors. The option answers were specifically designed to be close-ended. The size of the sample required was 80 and this study managed to get 82 responses. The survey was launched using SurveyMonkey which is an online survey platform. The data received was analysed for reliability and validity. The reliability was determined using Pearson Correlation Coefficient and was applied using the testretest approach. All questions had a coefficient greater than 0.6 which meant that the responses were reliable (strong). The validity was established using face validity. The responses were analysed to establish which mitigation measures have more frequency of selection. Some of the questions had some mitigation measures receiving more than 80% of the selection and some questions had some mitigation measures getting almost the same percentage selection. Most (60%) of the provinces of South Africa agreed on which mitigation measure must be used for addressing the avoidable delay factors.

This thesis deals with rules for reporting of revenues from long-term contracts, which is based on International Accounting Standard IAS 11 - Construction contracts. First, it briefly describes the emergence and development of standards and structure of IAS 11. Chapter 3 defines the basic concepts. In the fourth chapter is an analysis of expenses and revenues of long-term contracts in accordance with IAS 11 and in accordance with IAS 18. The fifth chapter analyzes the methods of recognition of contract expenses and revenues, including examples and requirements for disclosure, the problems associated with reporting in accordance with these methods and methods used in the Czech Republic. The sixth chapter deals with the related interpretations IFRIC 12 and IFRIC 15. The last part is focused on the research of ten annual reports in order to clarify compliance with IFRS in practice.

The master thesis is focused on revenue recognition according to both the Czech accounting legislation and the International Financial Reporting Standards. The introduction is devoted to the general description of the Czech legislation regarding accounting provisions and also brief description of IFRS is provided. An analysis of the Czech accounting regulation of revenue recognition follows and it is continuously confronted with the IFRS. Based on this comparison, appropriate improvement proposals to the Czech accounting legislation are made. This analytical part is divided into several parts such as measurement of revenue, recognition of revenue, presentation and disclosure, revenue from contracts with customers and revenue from leases. Final part devotes to the harmonization process in the EU and world (convergence between IFRS and US GAAP).

Six civil engineering and building projects under construction have been observed in order to compare theory and practice, and thus draw conclusions on how Clients and their management teams may control construction effectively. It has been reported and the six studies have shown that during construction as problems occur decisions taken to tackle them result in changes to one or more of the independant variables cost, time and performance. It is therefore argued in this thesis that if these variables are to be controlled to Xhe. Client's benefit:. - clear responsibilities, duties and authority to make decisions should be given to the members of project management teams. -a project control system should be set up which will help the management team to perform those duties. - both the management team and the system should be organized to suit the particular project and Client.

QC 20110812