Botha, P S; van der Walt, J D; Scheepbouwer, E and Barutha, P J (2024) A tool for reporting the optimal timing of preconstruction services in New Zealand. Proceedings of Institution of Civil Engineers: Management, Procurement and Law, 177(4), pp. 240-252. ISSN 17514304
Abstract
The use of pre-construction services (PCS), or early contractor involvement, has become common internationally due to its various advantages to complex construction projects. However, determining the optimal timing for engaging PCS remains an open question for researchers and government organisations. This paper develops a methodology to report on the successful timing of PCS use in New Zealand, aiding the industry in deciding when to engage a contractor for PCS appropriately. Proper timing can help avoid costly pitfalls from engaging PCS too early or too late, and this approach could be extended internationally. Data collection involved two rounds: an online survey to determine complexity factor weighting and semi-structured interviews on 29 case study projects to refine a visualisation tool. Each project was given a complexity ranking based on semi-structured interview data. The results indicate a relationship between PCS timing, project complexity, and scale. However, PCS is not always related to the procurement method; for example, design–bid–build projects can still benefit from PCS through fair risk allocation. The findings can assist clients in determining the best time to engage PCS, independent of the procurement model, thereby maximising the value contractors bring to construction projects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction collaboration; construction complexity; construction management; construction procurement; contracting; contracts & law; early contractor involvement; project management; stakeholder management |
| Index terms: | pre-construction, procurement method, case study, New Zealand, project management, risk allocation, construction procurement, early contractor involvement, survey, interview, stakeholder management, visualization, project complexity, complexity, collaboration, construction project, methodology |
| Subjects: | participation process, project delivery, data collection methods, systems engineering, project management theory and practice, management, design practice, contractual arrangements, organizational theory, Geography, production management, financial risk, research methods |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Research Practice, Cost Management, Organizational Design, Design Practice, Procurement, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Geographical Context |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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