Zwikael, O (2009) Critical planning processes in construction projects. Construction Innovation, 9(4), pp. 372-387. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to improve construction project planning capabilities. As project management is a core capability in the construction industry, high-quality project planning processes are necessary for project success. Design/methodology/approach – This paper involves data collected from 555 project managers across four industries spanning three different countries. The project planning capabilities of construction project managers are compared with other industrial sectors. In addition, critical project planning processes for the construction industry are identified. Findings – It is found that, relative to other industrial sectors, organisations belonging to the construction sector obtain a high quality of project planning and the highest success rate. In comparison with other sectors, schedule, quality, and procurement planning are most frequently executed in construction projects. Finally, the impact of the different planning processes on project is success are investigated. The processes that have the greatest impact on project success in the construction sector are “activity definition” and “project plan development.” However, construction project managers do not always invest enough effort in these critical planning processes. Practical implications – Construction project managers wishing to improve project performance at the planning phase of a project should concentrate more on the accurate identification of all project activities. They should focus on the development of a high-quality project plan that can be approved by key stakeholders. Originality/value – This paper identifies the most critical planning processes in construction projects. This represents new information for the construction management body of knowledge.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; project evaluation; project management; project planning |
| Index terms: | methodology, construction project, body of knowledge, construction sector, project planning, manager, project performance, construction industry, project management, project evaluation, planning process, project success, project manager |
| Subjects: | research methods, project management theory and practice, production management, project controls, industry analysis, profession, practitioner, value management, control systems, knowledge management |
| Topics: | Information Management, Project Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Time Control |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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