Optimizing claim management process groups to enhance construction project success

Abdelalim, A M; Salem, M; Al-Sabah, R; Said, S O; ElShafei, H M and Galal Badawy, M (2025) Optimizing claim management process groups to enhance construction project success. International Journal of Construction Management, 25(13), pp. 1583-1595. ISSN 1562-3599

Abstract

In the complex construction projects, claims arising from unforeseen circumstances, contractual disputes, or project changes can significantly impact project outcomes, making effective claim management a critical aspect of overall project success. Ineffective claim management can lead to project delays, cost overruns, and in severe cases, project termination. This study examines critical factors influencing claim management in construction projects, analyzing stakeholder perceptions through a questionnaire distributed to 104 industry professionals. Using convenience sampling, the study utilizes a Relative Importance Index (RII), Frequency Index (FI), and Frequency Adjusted Importance Index (FAII) to rank the significance of 108 identified claim management factors across eight process groups. The findings emphasize the criticality of clear communication and robust contract management in mitigating claims. Poor negotiation skills, adversarial relationships, and inadequate documentation are identified as major obstacles to effective claim resolution. Pearson correlation analysis reveals strong correlations between key factors and their respective process groups, reinforcing the reliability. The research highlights the 'claims resolution' phase as particularly crucial, with factors like the use of balanced contracts (e.g. FIDIC/ICE) and comprehensive claim documentation emerging as highly significant. The study provides valuable insights for industry practitioners to enhance claim management practices and ultimately, improve project success rates.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: claim management processes groups; claims; construction industry; contractual disputes
Index terms: documentation, relative importance index, contract management, project delay, practitioner, questionnaire, construction project, project outcome, critical factor, correlation analysis, FIDIC, cost overrun, dispute, project success, negotiation, construction industry, resolution, sampling, claim management
Subjects: contract management, production management, practitioner, standard forms of contract, project completion, statistical analysis, industry analysis, project controls, conflict resolution, professional development, project management theory and practice, contractual condition, financial and cost management, dispute resolution, data collection methods, risk assessment
Topics: Time Control, Contract Administration, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Cost Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Legal Issues, Risk Management, Procurement, Project Management
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