Feghaly, J (2020) Innovative delivery of water infrastructure projects. PhD thesis, Arizona State University, USA.
Abstract
Water utilities across the United States are facing numerous challenges, such as limited funding and increasing project complexity, in constructing and upgrading their aging infrastructure. One innovative method to overcome these challenges is through the use of alternative project delivery methods (APDM), such as construction management at-risk (CMAR) and design-build (DB). Previous research has shown that APDM have the potential to deliver higher performing water infrastructure projects when compared to the traditional design-bid-build (DBB) method. However, there is a need to further examine APDM practices and develop tools that may support utilities in the delivery of their APDM water infrastructure projects. This study fills the knowledge gap by conducting several studies that may support public and private utilities in improving the delivery of their APDM water infrastructure projects. First, APDM implementation practices for water infrastructure projects are identified by assessing the state of practice, particularly during project procurement and execution. Second, DB project administration best practices are determined to support utilities seeking to add DB to their organization’s project delivery toolbox. Third, a pioneering web-based project delivery method decision-support tool was developed to aid utilities in selecting the appropriate delivery method for their water project. Finally, project-specific factors and attributes that impact project delivery performance are investigated through exploratory modeling and analysis. The study collected data on 75 completed treatment plant projects, conducted interviews with ten utilities that successfully deliver their water projects using DB, and worked closely with several industry experts through industry workshops and panels. Key findings related to water infrastructure project delivery revealed in this study included: (1) guaranteed maximum price (GMP) is the preferred compensation type for APDM projects; (2) utilities statistically having the lowest comfort level with delivering CMAR projects; (3) qualifications-based procurement is an effective DB project delivery practice; (4) the identification of 13 key project delivery method selection factors; and (5) the three highest predictors that impact unit cost performance are project complexity, project team chemistry and communication, and project size.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | El Asmar, M and Ariaratnam, S |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | complexity; project team; interview; workshops; utilities; best practice; communication; funding; infrastructure project; project delivery; United States |
| Index terms: | implementation, modelling, compensation, infrastructure project, project administration, project delivery, project team, best practice, funding, comfort, delivery method, design-bid-build, utilities, workshop, qualification, unit cost, complexity, project procurement, project complexity, water utility, upgrading, United States, interview |
| Subjects: | educational resources, organizational theory, Geography, administration, analytical methods, economic analysis, contractual arrangements, construction type, strategic management, delivery method, occupational health and safety management, systems engineering, infrastructure and transport systems, project delivery, financial and cost management, business, data collection methods, dispute resolution |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Procurement, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Geographical Context, Health and Safety, Education, Legal Issues, Construction Technology, Research Practice, Cost Management, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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