Lam, P T I (2004) An investigation into the use of specifications in procuring construction works. Journal of Construction Procurement, 10(2),
Abstract
Construction projects are usually procured using drawings and specifications to convey design information and the client's requirements to the constructor. When used properly, the specifications can fulfil multiple functions and should contribute significantly to achieving the quality targets of a project. However, literature reviews and observations often indicate that this is not always the case. In Hong Kong, for example, where a substantial volume of construction works are put into place every year on a per capita basis, quality problems still abound. A research was therefore designed to study the causal relationship between construction quality problems and the use of specifications. Through a cross-sectional survey of clients, consultants and contractors, the current state of use of specifications in the construction industry of Hong Kong was investigated. It was found that specifications were not being used to their full potential and defective specifications often caused delay and disputes to projects. This paper reports on the findings of the survey, which echo the problems being faced by practitioners worldwide. It ends with recommendations on improvement measures, which can be applied generically to all construction industries.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | specifications |
| Index terms: | specification, literature review, drawing, survey, construction project, practitioner, construction quality, Hong Kong, dispute, investigation, construction work, construction industry |
| Subjects: | operations management, practitioner, quality assurance, production management, Geography, technical documentation, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods, dispute resolution, industry analysis, contractual condition |
| Topics: | Project Management, Geographical Context, Legal Issues, Quality Management, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Contract Administration, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PTEA |
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