Al-Keim, A (2017) Strategies to reduce cost overruns and schedule delays in construction projects. PhD thesis, Walden University, USA.
Abstract
Senior managers fail to control time and costs of construction projects despite available advanced project management tools. Based on project management theory, the objective of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies senior managers use to reduce cost overruns and schedule delays in construction projects. Primary data were obtained from semistructured interviews with 3 senior managers from different construction project management companies who have successfully managed construction projects in Qatar. Data analysis process included a modified Van Kaam method. The transcribed interviews were interpreted and coded to generate themes and were validated through member checking and archival documents. The most centralized themes included (a) master planning, (b) processes and procedures, (c) managing design stage, (d) procurement management, (e) use of proper software, (f) setting project cost and time, and (g) deciding clear scope. A construction project may not succeed without appropriate planning for all stages of the project lifecycle. Managing the approval of the project components during the design stage contributes to reducing changes during construction, which is helpful to control cost and time. The project processes and procedures are meaningful roadmaps for the managers and decision makers. The implications for positive social change include the potential to maintain a cleaner Earth by reducing design and construction wastes. Reducing wastes improves the cost of construction and provides opportunities for people to own property at more affordable costs.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Kasen, P |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | management theory; construction project; procurement management; project cost; case study; interview; Qatar |
| Index terms: | design stage, management theory, documents, construction project, data analysis, approval, interview, manager, project cost, strategy, construction project management, design and construction, project management, Qatar, case study, schedule delay, cost overrun, procurement management, project lifecycle |
| Subjects: | project management theory and practice, professional development, management, economics, procurement strategy, project controls, data collection methods, data analysis and analytics, financial and cost management, Geography, production management, practitioner, contractual role, project completion, contractual arrangements, professional practice |
| Topics: | Project Management, Geographical Context, Procurement, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Design Practice, Contract Administration, Time Control |
| 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