Human factors as important sources for increasing efficiency and performance in the construction industry are often cited as contributors to project success. This stems from the limited success of technical management of projects in terms of completing projects in time, within approved cost and to a satisfactory quality. Against this background, the aim of the study was to investigate behavioural project systems management as a way of increasing success and productivity. The objective of the study was to identify and investigate human factors that may reinforce positive behaviours that in turn may improve productivity. The study identified and investigated 64 human factors that influence positive behaviours for improved construction productivity. The result of the study showed that although all 64 human factors are very significant in encouraging positive behaviours, 21 of the factors were found to be extremely significant and are more likely to exert a higher influence towards positive behaviours. The highest ranked human factor was identified as âability and willingness to accept responsibilityâ while the least ranked was identified as âcharisma of leadershipâ. The study also identified and investigated 23 positive construction worker behaviours that may improve productivity. The result of the study further showed that although all these construction worker positive behaviours are very significant in influencing improved construction productivity, twelve of the positive behaviours were found to be extremely significant and are more likely to exert a higher influence on improved productivity. The highest ranked positive behaviour was identified as âcompleting task at hand on scheduleâ while the least ranked positive behaviour was identified as âmaking sacrifices for the well-being of the companyâ. Conclusions drawn from this research are that when the 64 factors are present in a construction environment, they influence the 23 positive behaviours, thus improving construction productivity. In addition, these positive behaviours serve as key behaviour indicators for motivation, commitment, satisfaction and loyalty levels of workers while twelve of these positive behaviours were identified as extremely significant positive behaviours and, serve as key behaviour indicators for motivation, commitment and loyalty levels of workers. From the research, recommendations that construction practitioners should pay attention and resources to such factors as effective communication, good co-worker relationships, staff skill development and good remuneration and fringe benefits are made in order to have a positive influencing on worker behaviour. Human behavioural management should therefore be introduced in project implementation for improving construction productivity.

A number of factors contribute to cost overruns and delays in projects, some within the control of the project team, most of them not. These cost overruns and delays lead to additional costs and loss of productivity on work sites because of time lost. These factors are also not limited to certain regions, but occur in similar projects across the globe. Optimism bias and strategic misrepresentation are identified as the main causes of cost overruns in construction projects, estimates and costs. While the estimation process for this type of project is very complicated, certain techniques have been developed to assess risk and to plan for contingency for these types of problems. This is significant because the cost performance of construction projects is a key success criterion for project sponsors, since construction projects are notorious for running over budget. The concept of cost contingency, estimates, cost overruns, procurement, risk management and value management will be dominant in this study. The aim of this study is to propose a project flow chart model. When followed correctly, this model can reduce the risk of project overrun from the cost plan point of view. The results of the research indicate that the estimator must have the experience and skill to be able to produce accurate estimates. A model is proposed to guide the estimators on what to do before they can start with the estimating process.

Performance and throughput rates at South African tertiary institutions are low, especially within the science, engineering and technology fields of study. The causes of this poor performance and throughput are difficult to predict, and incorrect assumptions are often made on which students are most likely to fail. The need to investigate this issue is vital in South Africa, where the contributing factors to poor performance and throughput are exacerbated by recent political and economic disparities in the diverse population. In order to better understand the issue within the built environment sector, this study evaluated the performance and throughput rates of fifteen first-year cohorts within the Department of Quantity Surveying at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The main aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the student population within the department, and to develop a framework for the future prediction of a student’s likelihood of success or failure. In order to achieve this objective, a retrospective longitudinal approach, i.e. a cohort study, was adopted. The study plotted the trends in performance and throughput rates over a period of time; it measured the strength of the relationships between several variables and performance and throughput; and it culminated in the establishment of predictors of performance and throughput rates. Ultimately, the prediction variables could be utilised in the development of influence diagrams as prediction frameworks. The research revealed that the performance and throughput rates of students in the department are improving. This highlights the importance of undertaking a narrow, departmental level analysis; as the findings in this smaller sphere do not match the general theory and assumptions covered in the literature.

This thesis investigates client satisfaction and service quality in the quantity surveyingprofession. Whilst many reasons abound for dissatisfaction with the construction industry,this thesis focuses on client satisfaction with the provision of quantity surveyors' services. To this end, a greater understanding of the psychological processes involved in making a satisfaction decision is required and is achieved by the presentation of the theory of consumer satisfaction. It was found that consumer satisfaction is the result of meeting or exceeding expectation with performance. Furthermore, performance is not measured in technical terms, but as a result of client perceptions. Perceptions are at the heart of this thesis. This study investigates the relationship between client perceptions and quantity surveyors' perceptions of the same.

Construction clients, particularly those with little or no previous experience of building projects, depend on the advice given by building professionals during the early design stages. Accurate advice regarding the estimated cost of the proposed project is fundamental, as this will determine the financial feasibility of the proposed project. All professionals give advice based on the information available to them at the time. Therefore, cost advisors need to have an accurate appreciation of the client's requirements from the building, before they can estimate the likely cost. Inexperienced building clients may have difficulty expressing their requirements, or understanding detailed technical information prepared by building professionals. This thesis addresses the problem of poor communication between clients and building professionals leading to mis-interpretation of mechanical and electrical (M&E) services requirements and inaccurate cost estimates. The research hypothesised that the cost of M&E services was related to the form and function of the building, and the quality of the M&E services required by the building client. It was believed that the required "quality" of the M&E services had a major cost implication, and therefore the production of an accurate cost estimate depended on an accurate understanding of the quality of M&E services required by the building client. The research examined existing method, of early cost estimating for M&E services, to establish how early cost estimates are prepared, and what type of information is considered. Detailed statistical analysis work was undertaken to examine relationships between various building form, parameters and M&E services costs, for buildings of different functions. M&E services quality was considered in relation to the function, performed by different systems, using the value engineering technique of function analyis and customer oriented function analysis system technique (FAST) diagrams method for improving early design stage communications developed, to improve the interpretation of M&E services quality requirements and lead to more accurate cost estimates. The method involved the introduction of a briefing workshop to consider functional requirements from the building, possible M&E services solutions, and interfaces between building structure and fabric and the M&E services. The proposed method was evaluated in the field. It was found to be a valid method of improving early design stage communications between clients and building professionals, that could lead to improved early cost advice for M&E services.

Thesis (M. Sc.)(Quantity Surveying)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Includes summary. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web

Thesis (MAppSc in Building Environment) --University of South Australia, 1991

Thesis (MAppSc in Building Environment) --University of South Australia, 1991

Thesis (MAppSc in Building Environment) --University of South Australia, 1991

Thesis (MAppSc in Building Environment) --University of South Australia, 1991