Sha'ar, K. Z.; Assaf, S. A.; Bambang, T.; Babsail, M. and Fattah, A. M. A. E. (2017) Design-construction interface problems in large building construction projects. International Journal of Construction Management, 17(3), pp. 238-250. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Interface management is one of the major keys for a successful construction project. During the project, many interface problems may arise, and their severities may vary and affect the overall project performance. This research was conducted to identify the causes of design–construction interface problems in large building construction projects in Palestine. To achieve the research objectives, a comprehensive literature review, pilot study and questionnaire survey were carried out to collect information on these causes. Responses from 34 consultants and 30 contractors were analysed. The results revealed that the top 10 extreme significant causes are 'unstable client requirements', 'lack of proper coordination between various disciplines of the design team', 'awarding the contract to the lowest price regardless of the quality of services', 'lack of skilled and experienced human resources in the design firms', 'lack of skilled human resources at the construction site', 'delaying of dues payments', 'lack of specialized quality-control team', 'lack of professional construction management', 'delaying the approval of completed tasks' and 'vague and deficient drawings and specifications'. Spearman's rho coefficient was 0.64, which indicates that the overall level of correlation between Palestinian consultants and contractors in the context of this research can be identified as moderate.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction; consultants; contractors; design; design–construction; interface management |
| Index terms: | building construction, questionnaire, client requirements, human resource, design team, project performance, construction project, coordination, design firm, quality of service, specification, interface problem, construction site, literature review, Palestine, survey, drawing, design-construction interface problem, approval, interface management |
| Subjects: | Geography, public and environmental health, management, data analysis and analytics, technical documentation, work location, data collection methods, contractual condition, integration, project management theory and practice, business, production management, engineering problems, professional practice, contractual role, practitioner, professional development, building construction |
| Topics: | Project Management, Research Practice, Site Management, Roles and Professions, Information Management, Geographical Context, Quality Management, Organizational Design, Contract Administration, Health and Safety, Design Practice, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Human Resources, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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