Akinradewo, O; Aigbavboa, C and Oke, A (2020) Accuracy of road construction preliminary estimate: Examining the influencing factors. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 10(5), pp. 657-671. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: Preparation of preliminary estimate is difficult owing to the lack of full project details in the early phases of the construction project. This paper seeks to assess the estimation techniques used for road projects and the critical factors affecting their accuracy in the Ghanaian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative research design was adopted and questionnaire was designed to retrieve data. The target population were engineers and quantity surveyors who were contacted using an e-questionnaire through their professional bodies owing to location constraints. Retrieved data were analysed using descriptive and exploratory factor analysis. In order to compare the opinions of the respondents, the Mann–Whitney U-test was employed. Findings: The survey revealed that subjective, parametric, comparative and analytical estimations are in use in Ghana. The most critical factors influencing the accuracy of estimation techniques are improper project planning, insufficient preliminary site investigation and usage of shortcuts, among others. Research limitations/implications: This study was limited to Accra, Ghana, due to time and distance constraint. Practical implications: For accuracy of preliminary estimates to be improved, estimators being the custodian of the estimate are expected to be devoid of errors such as arithmetic calculation errors, inaccurate quantity measurement and error of omission. The usage of estimating software can eliminate these human errors. Originality/value: The study will assist policymakers and stakeholders in aligning mitigative actions for factors influencing preliminary estimate of road projects with defined clusters rather than basic ranks. With attention focussed on the characteristics of each cluster, accuracy of preliminary estimate can be improved.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; Ghana; project estimate; project performance; road projects |
| Index terms: | methodology, population, construction project, site investigation, road construction, estimator, project performance, questionnaire, estimate, construction industry, Accra, road project, project planning, estimating, exploratory factor analysis, quantity surveying, influencing factor, quantitative research, engineer, accuracy, survey, critical factor, Ghana, estimation |
| Subjects: | financial and cost management, data analysis and analytics, control systems, data collection methods, profession, risk assessment, statistical analysis, industry analysis, geotechnical engineering, demography, professional development, infrastructure engineering, project management theory and practice, production management, Geography, research methods, civil engineering |
| Topics: | Cost Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Geographical Context, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Risk Management, Roles and Professions, Urban Studies |
| 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