Yap, J B H; Lim, B L; Skitmore, M and Gray, J (2022) Criticality of project knowledge and experience in the delivery of construction projects. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 20(3), pp. 800-822. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: Poor project knowledge and inadequate experience are frequently linked to construction time-cost overruns. This paper aims to expound on the criticality of project knowledge and experience in the successful delivery of projects in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: Following a detailed literature review, a quantitative positivist approach with a questionnaire survey involving industry professionals is used to appraise the 30 prevalent causes of time-cost overruns according to frequency, effectiveness and importance indices. The data are then subjected to Spearman’s rank correlation tests and exploratory factor analysis. Findings: Using the importance index, which assimilates both frequency and effectiveness indices, the criticality of knowledge and experience in the overall context is seen as fundamental for addressing the contractor’s faulty planning and scheduling, construction mistakes and defective work, site management and supervision, delayed/slow decision-making, incomplete drawings and design documents and change/variation orders. Spearman’s rank correlation tests indicate a good consensus of perceptions among the key parties involved. Next, an exploratory factor analysis uncovers six underlying knowledge-based factors affecting construction performance, relating to inaccurate resource estimates, design changes, resource shortages, lack of experience, incompetence and mistakes and defects. Originality/value: The study draws out the repercussions of the hitherto limited research into the deficiencies in knowledge and experience in undertaking construction projects to enhance performance using knowledge management functions.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction; cost overruns; factors; knowledge management; project management; schedule delays |
| Index terms: | schedule delay, cost overrun, construction performance, effectiveness, project knowledge, site management, supervision, construction time, project management, construction industry, estimate, scheduling, exploratory factor analysis, survey, drawing, literature review, design change, documents, questionnaire, decision-making, methodology, variation, construction project, shortages, knowledge management |
| Subjects: | performance assessment, construction operations, knowledge management, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, financial and cost management, economic analysis, operations research, technical documentation, control systems, data collection methods, industry analysis, statistical analysis, project controls, decision analysis, production management, contractual condition, professional development, project management theory and practice, research methods, performance management |
| Topics: | Site Management, Time Control, Contract Administration, Quality Management, Design Practice, Procurement, Risk Management, Project Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Cost Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here