Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1980. / Also available in print.

M.Tech. (Construction Management) / The objective of this study is to identify the different problems faced by employers and quantity surveying students; as a result: Employers face students who are unprepared for the work situation and students face problems in the classroom. The aim is to question methods which have been applied until now in terms of teaching and learning with a particular emphasis on quantity surveying. New competencies are being created as the industry is evolving. It is suggested that a thorough review is needed. The South African construction industry has grown considerably; this has also brought about a huge demand for quantity surveyors with estimating skills, but there is also a severe skills shortage in the engineering sector and more particularly in the building construction sector; these shortages have exacerbated the situation. This research study aims to assess the problems encountered by students in the workplace, with a view to identifying how the solutions found could serve as the main vectors in implementing innovative curricula in tertiary institutions. The study also examined the role of the industry itself: the ways and means by which the industry should meet the tertiary institutions halfway to reinforce the basic knowledge and to develop the core competencies of the individual quantity surveyor and estimator. The method used in this study was a descriptive method in which structured questionnaires were given to the respondents in order to determine their views of the industry. Their suggestions on the different approach which could be followed to alleviate the problems faced by quantity surveyors to adapt more quickly once they are employed in the industry were investigated. The higher education system is not doing enough to prepare quantity surveying students professionally for the performance expected of them in the construction industry. The result is that employers have to fill the void that some tertiary institutions are failing to address by implementing continuing professional development (CPD).The curriculum is at risk since it is stagnating, and a new curriculum and outcomes need to be aligned to employers’ expectations. The lack of knowledge witnessed among new graduates often creates a waste of time for the companies in trying to get newly appointed graduates up to speed in terms of the performance expected by the industry. It is therefore important to identify the issues and to revolutionise the education system.

Although the quantity surveyors had laid their claim to the building industry for more than a century, poor scientific knowledge analyses with reference to the professional communication capabilities and communication instruments in the construction industry still exists. The aim of this thesis is to measure the determinants of a communication maturity model in respect of the communication capabilities of the profession. The proposed most important determinants used were brought to light through research undertaken by the University of the Free State in collaboration with the Wirtschafts University in Vienna, Austria in 2005/6. The results of the survey indicate that respondents were positive with regard to professional communication in general. This can influence the construction industry with continuous advantages for the property development environment. The survey results indicate that the determinant contractual communication of the quantity surveyor is experienced the most positive. The determinant leadership communication of the quantity surveyor is experienced the least positive. A model of the most important determinants for effective communication was used to measure the maturity of the professionâs communication capabilities in the construction industry.

The use of project management has expanded and is used in many industries. The generic component of project management across all industries without the necessary technical knowledge has been debated. This study investigates the knowledge base of construction project management and the need for industry specific knowledge. The study includes a literature and also empirical research section. The empirical study made use of interviews, a case study and questionnaires. A construction project management knowledge model was developed based on the research and research findings. The research findings suggest that a project manager in the built environment requires various types of knowledge â project management knowledge, industry specific knowledge and knowledge gained through experience. The project management knowledge includes the 13 areas from the construction extension to the PMBOK guide, the industry specific knowledge is divided into four main areas that are knowledge of construction science, knowledge of construction processes, knowledge of design processes and knowledge of financial cost factors and the knowledge through experience is gained through time spent working in the industry. The construction project management knowledge model aims to contribute to improving the project management environment, aiding in awareness of the various knowledge areas and subareas that are important and the NQF level that is suggested. This could contribute to sufficient education by creating awareness of the level of education a project manager in the built environment requires. Organisations could use the model as reference to determine which areas their project managers could improve on in order to develop and increase project management maturity in the organisation. The project management construction model also offers tertiary institutions a framework for syllabus planning of constructions project management courses. Further research is welcomed and may include improving the model, or using the model as foundation to develop a measuring instrument to determine the knowledge of a construction project manager.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references.

Ineffective project communication may lead to project failure in respect of expected outcomes. Communication in the construction industry is important even though a qualified project team and manager plan, organise and manage a project. The construction project manager needs communication skills to communicate effectively and manage projects successfully to expected completion. The aim of this thesis is to propose a communication skills and leadership model for construction project management. Management of a project can apply the model. It can also be used to determine which communication skills the construction project manager should possess or should develop to communicate effectively. The results of the research indicate that construction project managers need the basic skill of being able to communicate effectively, with decision making and problem solving as the most important communication skills. A model is proposed to assist construction project management. This model can be developed further as an instrument to measure the maturity of a project manager or team.

All people basically want the same things: a home, work, healthy economy, good public services, infrastructure and an attractive and safe environment. Some areas have many of these that should be preserved and enhanced. In other areas there are major shortcomings and problems, poor and dangerous environments, a failing local economy, inadequate services and that may lead to serious social problems. The urban environment can be arduous and intimidating or it can encourage people to feel relaxed and at ease. It can make contact between people difficult or create an atmosphere of community. Raising the profile of good design that gives form to public spaces, housing and other building is crucial in sustainable and urban renaissance. Welldesigned places put people first and make efficient use of the available space and environmental resources. It is the art of making places for people. It is concerned with the connection between people and places, urban form, flow of people, natural environment, the material of buildings and the processes for ensuring successful villages, towns and cities. Towns and cities are diverse in character, reflecting history, scale, recent economic fortunes and locations. Each contains many contrasting areas. The way forward needs to be founded in an understanding of the past, the present and the pressures for future change. Furthermore, urban renaissance requires more than the restoration or construction of buildings. The urban renaissance should be a culturally driven redevelopment, creating safe, vibrant, interesting spaces for communities to live in with good quality services and cultural and leisure activities. A better quality of life should be delivered by changing the welfare culture to one build on work and security for those who can, and security to those who cannot.

Many strategies for emerging construction contractor development that are based on instruments such as targeted procurement have generally failed to empower emerging contractors because they are implemented without well-defined skills transfer frameworks. Emerging contractors continue to be regarded by construction clients and suppliers as a high commercial risk area and this presents further barriers to meaningful property development. Related to this is the lack of clear policy targets against which to measure the effectiveness of contractor support programmes. Furthermore, the majority of current support initiatives lack an integrated programme strategy. Interventions tend to be characterised by inadequate preparations, poor needs assessments and an inadequate understanding of the development needs of emerging contractors. This is evident by discontinuances, unstructured training approaches, ad-hoc mentorship, inadequate monitoring and evaluation that promote unsustainable skills transfer. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) has put in place a training and mentoring programme that would result in the development of emerging contractors into sustainable business enterprises. The impact of the programme may be measured to determine the overall effectives of the programme in delivering developed and sustainable contractors to the construction industry. The above mentioned factors identified lead to the following problem that is addressed by the research: The problem statement addressed by the study is how to develop a holistic approach towards integrated skills development for emerging construction contractors, by developing a model that can be managed with quantitative and measurable outcomes.

The complex nature of the construction industry calls for an effective claims management system which is supported by Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR). Research indicates that ADR is not applied effectively in the industry, which raises the question as to the competence levels of practicing professionals in the role of ADR facilitator. The purpose of the study was to identify the requirements for effective ADR practice and to determine the competence levels of practicing professionals facilitating ADR in the South African construction industry. The findings of the research are intended to determine possible education and training requirements which may be employed to ultimately improve the contribution of ADR in the industry. A literature review was conducted to identify the requirements for effective ADR practice based on international standard practice. A questionnaire based on identified competencies was then developed and administered amongst the practicing professionals in order to determine current knowledge, skills, attributes and experience levels of practicing professionals in the South African construction industry. The findings of the data analysis were plotted on a competence model which reflected the key competencies as identified in the literature review. The competence models reflected the competence levels of practitioners in the industry. A situational competence model was developed illustrating the development process required for ADR facilitators in the construction industry through which professionals should progress in achieving competence however; the model is based on the current situation and will be subjected to variations as the situation changes. The situational competence model suggests that practicing professionals progress through four stages before becoming fully competent in facilitating ADR. Respondents were also grouped into age groups in order to address education and training compared to experience gained. This was intended to determine at which point competence is achieved by comparing the state of the new entrants to the industry with the more experienced professionals. Qualitative data was obtained by means of interviews and open ended questions posed in the questionnaire provided the information required to assess the current situation in the industry. The findings indicated that the problem areas tend toward the the application of the methods, skills and techniques however, respondents consider the application of the fundamentals of ADR important and they are applied effectively as required for successful dispute resolution. The high ratings on the self analysis in terms of the active listening competence raised the question as to the possibility that there may have been a degree of misinterpretation regarding the effective application of this competency. This response also suggests the possible influence of response bias. It was concluded that ADR in the industry is not applied according to the requirements of standard practice and according to the data analysis of the self evaluation; practicing professionals do not meet the requirements for competence in the practice of ADR. It was also identified that experience needs to be addressed in order to achieve competence. Practicing professionals are knowledgeable of the requirements for effective practice, however, experience is lacking. A further need which was identified in practice was for conciliation to be facilitated on site in order to minimize the risk of dispute, in the project environment. The findings support the need for more emphasis to be placed on ADR in the construction industry in the form of education, training and mentorship.

Project managers within the construction industry possibly have a lack of sufficient and effective management skills. This study aims to find solutions, and to propose a model with guidelines for creating a profile for effective project management, as well as to determine the characteristics and skills needed by a project manager. Basic management principles, tasks, responsibilities and behaviour of the project manager are researched and these results may form the basis for creating of a probable profile for a construction project manager. If a profile can be created based on the research, this profile might be used to prepare the project manager for effective management and the successful completion of projects. Construction project managers can be measured by means of this profile and adapt where necessary to meet the requirements. Gaps that are thus identified can be rectified. This profile can form the basis of model proposing to measure the maturity of the profile for the construction project manager in construction project management companies. Individuals will also be able to evaluate themselves and to adapt where necessary. The research shows regular cooperation between project managers in the construction industry and other stakeholders, and that poor management by the project manager contributes to project failure. Although management guidelines exist, it is evident that project managers do not implement them effectively. This has a possible negative impact on the projects. It is important that the project manager has some characteristics and skills to successfully implement management functions. When a construction project is undertaken, timely identification of tasks and activities, management areas, functions and responsibilities is important in order for the project manager to be knowledgeable about what is expected. The areas of management, the functions and responsibilities of the project manager can be regarded as the task of the project manager, while certain skills and characteristics can assist the project manager to successfully perform the necessary management tasks. The profile for a project manager is compiled by identifying the tasks (management areas, functions and responsibilities) and the aids (skills and characteristics) needed for the successful execution of the task.