Front-end planning implementation in Singapore: Status, importance, and impact

Hwang, B G and Ho, J W (2012) Front-end planning implementation in Singapore: Status, importance, and impact. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 138(4), pp. 567-573. ISSN 0733-9364

Abstract

Front-end planning (FEP) is relatively new to the Singapore construction industry, and its importance is not yet well recognized or emphasized. Technological advancements and continuous fragmentation in the construction industry have resulted in a rapid increase in the complexity of projects, and yet this has not been matched by a concomitant increase in planning efforts. This study aims to identify the importance of FEP and its impact on project outcomes in order to encourage more organizations in Singapore to practice and benefit from it. To achieve this objective, a questionnaire was developed, and the responses from 27 companies were analyzed. The analysis revealed that only about 44% of the responding companies practiced FEP on their projects. In addition, the study quantified the amount of the budget allocated to FEP as well as the level of improvement in project performance achieved by implementing FEP. Once companies recognize their FEP implementation status, they will be at a starting point to understand its importance and impact and will be able to better manage their projects, ultimately allowing the Singapore construction industry to increase its opportunity for producing more successful projects overall.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: best practice; front-end planning; performance; project management; project planning
Index terms: Singapore, project outcome, best practice, project performance, construction industry, implementation, project management, fragmentation, questionnaire, project planning, complexity
Subjects: contractual arrangements, control systems, business, project completion, data collection methods, systems engineering, industry analysis, project management theory and practice, Geography
Topics: Organizational Design, Procurement, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project Management, Engineering Principles
Descriptive scope: 4 PCTA

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