Kakitahi, J M; Landin, A and Alinaitwe, H M (2013) An exploratory study of rework causality in Uganda. Construction Innovation, 13(3), pp. 266-280. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose - Rework is known to contribute to waste and value losses in building design and construction. Studies estimate its magnitude between 2 and 25 per cent of construction contract sums. Rework-related waste could, however, be higher if the whole life cycle of building facilities is considered. Rework occurrences are increasing in Uganda and yet the National Development Plan 2010/11 - 14/15 intends to construct additional public buildings. With insufficient information regarding rework causality and magnitude, wastage arising from rework during the implementation of the National Development Plan could be substantial. The problem of rework occurrence in Uganda will require determining rework causality and magnitude. This paper seeks to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach - An exploratory study on rework in public building construction was undertaken through a case study to understand its causality and the timeframe over which it occurs. This preliminary research is characteristically qualitative with the aim of investigating rework causality in public building construction in Uganda. The case study was based on a project that rehabilitated and constructed new buildings in 15 nursing schools across Uganda. Semi-structured interviews, contract documentation and archival records were used as sources of information on rework causality. Selective coding and subsequent categorisation of rework data was undertaken to support analysis of rework causality. Findings - The findings supplement limited previous research that shows rework as a phenomenon existing into the operation and maintenance stage of building facilities. Rework-related costs during this stage for the case study, referred to as operation-related rework costs, were on average 0.25 per cent of construction contract sums. Significant causes of rework were ineffective stakeholder management, insufficient works supervision and use of non-compliant building materials. Originality/value - The paper highlights the need for improved design management, effective stakeholder management and a whole life value philosophy in order to reduce rework in public building construction.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | public building construction; rework; Uganda; waste minimisation |
| Index terms: | public building construction, public building, stakeholder management, contract documentation, methodology, design management, exploratory study, philosophy, rework, operation and maintenance, minimization, interview, Uganda, supervision, estimate, implementation, construction contract, building material, whole life cycle, case study, building design |
| Subjects: | design process, Geography, algorithms, maintenance engineering, research methods, sustainability assessment, philosophical studies, building construction, control systems, contract type, construction type, data collection methods, architectural design, financial and cost management, contractual arrangements, participation process, operations management, building materials |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Digital Applications, Construction Technology, Procurement, Sustainability, Stakeholder Management, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project Management, Business Strategy, Cost Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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