Athanasopoulou, E (2008) Delays in construction projects using traditional contract forms: Causes and effects. PhD thesis, University College London, UK.
Abstract
The construction industry has a consistently poor record with respect to the completion of projects in time, especially for traditional contracts. Delays are the most common and costly problem encountered in construction projects. Completing projects on time is an indicator of efficiency, but the construction process is subject to many controllable and uncontrollable variables. Slipping over the planned schedule, affects both client and contractor. This study is aiming at providing a clear identification and classification of the main causes of delays involved in Greek construction projects, analyzing their effects based on the type of contractual agreement and provide pointers towards mitigating these types of delays. More specifically, this thesis will explain how the design construction coordination and the supply of specialized materials and components can cause time extensions in projects procured through traditional contracting. The thesis is based on qualitative research, which is carried out by use of literature review, interviews and a case study approach of Alexandroupoli's airport in Greece. From the knowledge derived from the existing literature and the particular case study, it has been corifirmed that Significant amount of time should be devoted in planning the project and estimating its time duration. Good design quality will only be assured if Design Construction Coordination is encouraged and implemented. This will help overcome various design-related constraints that would, otherwise, lead in reworks and loss of valuable time and revenue. The principles of Supply Chain Management should be carefully followed, so as to ensure reliable, long-lasting working relationships with competent professionals, which result in on time delivery and trustworthy arrangements. Finally, the choice of procurementaffects the smoothness of a project's flow, but not because of the characteristics of each procurement system. It is the context of the project, the client's expectations and the size and complexity of the construction to be built that determine which procurement method is more suitable. Keywords: Construction delays, Design Construction Coordination, Supply Chain Management, Procurement.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | interview, design quality, literature review, rework, revenue, Greece, qualitative research, construction process, construction delay, construction project, complexity, estimating, procurement method, efficiency, case study, traditional contracting, causes of delay, procurement system, construction industry, duration, coordination |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, research design and methodology, data analysis and analytics, financial and cost management, management, performance management, industry analysis, systems engineering, project controls, professional practice, contractual arrangements, economic analysis, operations management, production management, Geography, building construction |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Procurement, Geographical Context, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Organizational Design, Site Management, Time Control, Design Practice, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Research Practice |
| 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