Analysis of cost and schedule performance of international development projects

This study focuses on cost and schedule issues of international development (ID) projects. Through empirical analysis we examine ID project cost and schedule performance and the main reasons for poor project outcome. We look at 100 projects that are sponsored by the Asian Development Bank and hosted by several Asian countries. The study identifies that most late projects experience cost underrun – an unusual cost and schedule variation relation in projects. Further we identify the root causes of project delay and cost underrun. Research findings will benefit ID project professionals, organizations and the ID project body of knowledge. The study can be extended to analyse other developing country projects sponsored by different donors.     

Key relationship-based determinants of project performance in China

The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship-based factors that affect performance of general building projects in China. Thirteen performance metrics that may be used to measure the success level of construction projects are defined and categorized into four groups namely cost, schedule, quality and relationship performance. Fourteen risks inherent in relationships and 16 tools expected to facilitate relationship building that may affect project success are identified. Data of different projects were collected in China via a self-administered postal survey. Multiple linear regression models are developed to help explain the variance in different performance metrics. It has been found that ten risks and nine tools have either positive or negative influence on project performance to some different extents and in different project development process stages. Detailed explanations are made, especially to those variables bearing unexpected signs. It is recommended that firms in the Chinese construction industry manage the relationship-based factors that are significant in the MLR models so as to achieve project success.     

基于 SNA 的 PPP 项目合同履约风险及扩散路径研究

为了缓解 PPP 项目合同履约困难的现象,从社会网络视角分析履约风险特征及关系。根据案例分析、专家打分等识别、量化风险,建立履约风险网络模型并通过社会网络分析的四类指标（整体网络结构特征、个体中心度、影响力及凝聚子群）来识别关键风险及潜在风险扩散路径。研究表明存在具有风险扩散路径的履约风险网络,其中,关键风险包括成本超支风险、工期逾期风险等;存在风险扩散路径,如工期逾期风险—政府干预风险—工程质量风险等;风险传播节点有运营费用过高风险等,从而为 PPP 项目合同的履约风险分析提供了新框架,有助于 PPP 项目履约过程中的风险管控。     

The impact of contractors’ attributes on construction project success: A post construction evaluation

The success of construction projects is a fundamental issue for most governments, users and communities. In the literature that deals with construction project success and causes of time and cost overruns in the construction industry, there is some literature that highlights the role of the contractors in project success. While most studies rank contractors’ success attribute from tendering, prequalification, and a long term historical perception perspective, this paper aims to study the impact of contractors’ attributes on project success from a post construction evaluation perspective to identify what critical success factors (CSFs) that greatly impact the success of project. In an attempt to understand and investigate this impact, a questionnaire survey is used to establish construction professionals’ perception of CSFs of contractors that greatly impact on the success of construction projects. Factor analysis reveals nine underlying clusters namely :(i) safety and quality; (ii) past performance; (iii) environment; (iv) management and technical aspects; (v) resource; (vi) organisation; (vii) experience; (viii) size/type of pervious projects; and (ix) finance. Logistic regression techniques were used to develop models that predict the probability of project success. Factors such as turnover history, quality policy, adequacy of labour and plant resources, waste disposal, size of past projects completed, and company image are the most significant factors affecting projects success. Assuming that project success is repeatable, these findings provide clear understanding of contractors’ performance and could potentially enhance existing knowledge of construction project success.     

基于SNA的工程项目组织网络建设研究

应用建筑信息模型(BIM)的项目有利于项目团队成员之间的信息交换,减少团队内部的冲突和分歧,并在项目成本、三维可视化、施工顺序问题、冲突解决方面具有显著效果。研究考察了BIM项目的社交网络特征,通过分析BIM项目的参与方信息流动特点,从而揭示项目的组织网络特征,然后使用项目绩效作为度量筛选出针对BIM项目而言最优的社交网络结构,最终提出了BIM项目信息流建设的相关意见。研究引入关键绩效指标(KPI)以衡量项目绩效,使用密度、平均度数、直径和平均路径长度等社交网络指标揭示不同BIM项目的网络特征,最后揭示了项目社交网络与KPI之间存在显著相关性。结果表明,高度紧密的组间社会网络更有利于项目绩效的提升,有效提升组间沟通质量是建立最优社交网络的必要条件。然而对于网络的平均度数指标应当辩证性看待,高平均度数代表该网络的沟通能力极佳,但从权力量化角度来看也意味着可能存在高度集权的节点。     

谈谈工程实施阶段标后监管与工程造价控制

分析在工程施工招标投标工作完成之后的工程量清单核对、施工承包合同履行、设计变更、现场签证、工程索赔和竣工结算等各个环节的工作内容,以控制工程造价为目的,提出工程实施阶段标后各个环节相应的监管措施,并着重分析工程竣工结算环节的工程造价控制措施。     

基于BIM技术的冶金项目造价管理

工程项目造价管理是建设工程的重要组成部分,直接关系到项目利润和施工企业的财务状况。但是工程项目预算成本计算分析困难和实际进度成本归集实时性差、准确性低等都会影响项目成本控制效果。本文结合冶金项目的特点将BIM技术融入到冶金项目造价管理工作中,实现了项目成本的精细化管理,提高了项目的盈利能力,为施工企业冶金建设项目造价管理提供新的思路与方法。     

Planning-stage estimation of highway project duration on the basis of anticipated project cost, project type, and contract type

At the planning phase of project development, highway agencies seek to estimate the time duration of project implementation for purposes such as construction planning, contract administration, and workzone impact assessments. This paper investigates the estimation of highway project duration on the basis of variables known at the planning phase such as planned cost and project type, and contract type. Project types are pavement construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, traffic facility installation, and bridge construction. The contract types considered are fixed-duration and fixed-deadline contracts. Using a variety of model specifications, the paper presents mathematical relationships between highway project duration and the magnitude of the planned cost and project type, and contract type. The paper shows that all other factors remaining the same, the duration of fixed-date deadline contracts generally exceed that of fixed-duration contracts; and higher levels of planned cost translate non-linearly into greater project duration. The developed models can help project administrators provide improved estimates of project duration and thus could help reduce project time delays. Also, the models are useful in forecasting workzone durations, a key aspect of workzone user cost estimation.     

Performance metric development for pharmaceutical construction projects

Pharmaceutical facility construction projects tend to exhibit uniqueness in procedures and methods of deliveries, and thus require a distinct project management approach. Based on inputs from five leading pharmaceutical companies, a set of cost, schedule, and dimensional metrics were developed and tested. First, a hierarchical structure of pharmaceutical project types was established as a framework enabling projects to be properly grouped and compared. Next, within the framework, industry-specific metrics tailored to the processes were produced. For better industry acceptance, surveys and analysis on the developed metrics were finally conducted. The result shows that the framework and metrics have considerable value as an efficient tool for measuring pharmaceutical construction project performance, ultimately providing a chance to improve performance for the industry. By employing the metrics, the industry can find solutions to more effectively manage cost, schedule, and other resources for the delivery of pharmaceutical construction projects.     

建设项目工程造价司法鉴定思路及注意事项初探

建设项目工程合同争议、纠纷因涉及到建设项目参建各方的利益诉求,具有复杂性、特殊性等特点。工程造价的司法鉴定必须结合建设项目的特点,理清鉴定思路,把握司法鉴定过程中应注意的问题,运用专业技术知识,通过法律途径解决诸类争议和纠纷。结合某水利工程司法鉴定实例,阐述在工程造价司法鉴定中的鉴定思路,供同业借鉴。     

国际工程承包合同类型分析

对常用的国际工程承包合同进行对比分类,分析了不同合同的基本特点及其应用范围。业主和承包商可以根据工程特点,选择对双方都合适的合同条款,圆满完成工程建设     

The accuracy of preliminary cost estimates in Public Works Department (PWD) of Peninsular Malaysia

This paper presents the accuracy of preliminary cost estimates prepared by Public Works Department (PWD), which is the largest public construction management in Malaysia. It attempts to understand the Quantity Surveyors' (QS) estimation accuracy in relation to public projects. This study analyses 83 projects of estimates and tender bids. The analysis includes three (3) estimating targets i.e. lowest bid, accepted bid and mean of the bids. To broaden the study, 344 QS involved in the procurement answered the questionnaires. Linear multiple regression analysis on project characteristics shows that project size, number of bidders, location and type of schools affect the bias. Contract period affects the consistency. The use of mean of the bids is the best-fit target to explain the bias in terms of adjusted R². The accuracy may improve if sufficient design information is available, proper cost planning and improving the application of historical cost data. As an alternative, the phenomenon of overestimation is resulted from government directive instruction, which could challenge the rational of accurate estimate.     

建设项目投资管理与造价控制存在的问题

当前,随着国家宏观调控的转变,近年来国家财政投资的基础设施建设项目不断增加,建设项目管理跟不上经济过热的增长,导致投资项目性价比不合理、建设造价高启,继而产生投资领域暴利、腐败、损失浪费等一系列问题。笔者多年来一直从事建设项目投资审计工作,对投资领域存在的问题有着比较全面的认识,本文拟从建设项目设计环节、监理环节、招投标环节、施工环节、行政管理环节等五个方面,对建设项目投资管理和造价控制中存在的问题进行剖析,以期引起有关部门重视,并为加强投资管理、控制投资成本提出相应的措施和规定。     

Future criteria for success of building projects in Malaysia

Several success criteria (SC) and categorization models have been introduced and studied in the previous decades to address the issue of project success. However, most of these models have failed to align success criteria with company's success in the long-term. This paper aims at proposing a framework to categorize project success for building projects in Malaysia from the contractors' perspective. The proposed framework incorporates criteria that align the project efforts with both short and long-term goals of the companies; moreover provide an appropriate judgment of success at all stages of the project. If construction managers can judge the probability of success, they would be able to evaluate the overall relative strength of each project, and identify problems on current projects to direct them toward success.Based on the available literature, thirteen success criteria were found to be significantly and substantially related to building projects success. To develop the SC categorization framework, 151 participants, who are involved in building construction, were invited through a postal and e-mails survey to generate priorities of these criteria. The results of this study indicated that a categorization scheme for success criteria for building projects should include the categories of project management success, product success, along with market success. The findings of this study can further help future researchers seeking solutions in the challenges relating to improvement of building projects implementation and enhancement of project success.     

浅谈施工企业工程造价全过程管理

就施工企业在工程项目投标报价、签订施工合同、工程施工、竣工结算全过程的工程造价管理进行了探讨,提出在不同阶段应采取相应的措施,有效地控制工程造价,降低施工成本。     

The project benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Theoretical developments in Building Information Modelling (BIM) suggest that not only is it useful for geometric modelling of a building's performance but also that it can assist in the management of construction projects. The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which the use of BIM has resulted in reported benefits on a cross-section of construction projects. This exploration is done by collecting secondary data from 35 construction projects that utilised BIM. A set of project success criteria were generated and content analysis was used to establish the extent to which each individual project met a criterion. The most frequently reported benefit related to the cost reduction and control through the project life cycle. Significant time savings were also reported. Negative benefits were mainly focused on the use of BIM software. Cost/benefit analysis, awareness raising and education and training are important activities to address the challenges of BIM usage.     

Risk management in small construction projects in Singapore: Status,barriers and impact

Risk management (RM) should be implemented in construction projects to assure the achievement of project objectives, regardless of project size. This study aims to investigate RM in small projects in Singapore in terms of status, barriers and impact of RM on project performance. To achieve the objectives, a questionnaire survey was conducted and data were collected from 668 projects submitted by 34 companies. The analysis results indicated a relatively low level of RM implementation in small projects, and that “lack of time”, “lack of budget”, “low profit margin”, and “not economical” were prominent barriers. Also, the results reported the positive correlation between RM implementation and improvement in quality, cost and schedule performance of small projects, respectively. The findings of this study can provide an in-depth understanding of RM in small projects in Singapore and make benefits of RM convincing to the participants of small projects.     

Minimum performance bounds for evaluating contractors performance during construction of highway pavement projects

For project control during construction, evaluating the performance of contractors is usually established through progress measurement that compares the actual performance to the planned performance. Corrective actions and/or performance penalties are then established as relative measures that judge the actual performance based on current project plans without considering the performance of other similar projects or the lowest performance that projects could reach while still being successful. To establish a generalized benchmark measure and a non‐project‐specific project control tool, the concept of minimum performance bounds is explained in relation to their development for highway pavement projects. The bounds were developed using constrained‐parameters polynomial regression and cluster analysis for a sample of 497 highway pavement projects in Washington State. Minimum bounds for small, medium and large projects were fairly distinguishable signifying the project size effect on the location and shape of performance bounds. Bounds were also developed for projects classified by asphalt quantities, contract values, project duration and project length, being the common criteria used by highway agencies. Owners would use the minimum performance bounds as control tools when requesting corrective actions, establishing incentives, imposing performance penalties, initiating a default clause for substandard performance, and/or in pre‐qualifying contractors for new projects.     

Impact of quality performance ambiguity on contractor's opportunistic behaviors in person-to-organization projects: The mediating roles of contract design and application

Contracts are critical for managing projects. However, studies increasingly found that contracts, albeit well written, might not be thoroughly implemented. This study aims to examine the impact of quality performance ambiguity on contractor's opportunistic behaviors in person-to-organization projects and to investigate the mediating role of contract design and application. A questionnaire-survey of 265 dwelling fit-out projects was undertaken in China. The results showed that quality performance ambiguity has great impacts on project development as it hinders detailed contract drafting, results in ineffective contract application and leads to opportunism. The mediation results showed that contract application rather than the written contract mediates the effect of quality performance ambiguity on contractor's opportunistic behaviors. Thus, it is recommended that project managers should pay attention to project characteristics and the gaps between the design and application of contracts in project management.     

Quantifying the causes and costs of rework in construction

Very few construction companies and consulting firms in Australia measure their costs of quality. Consequently, it is difficult for them to prove that systems for preventing quality failures are cost-effective. Although the direct costs of a quality system can be quantified with some accuracy (salaries, costs of documentation, audits, etc.), the corresponding benefits are far more difficult to assess. Indeed quality failures have become an endemic feature of the procurement process in construction and invariably lead to time and cost overruns in projects. Thus, in order to improve the performance of projects it is necessary to identify the causes and costs rework. The research presented in this paper quantifies the causes, magnitude and costs of rework experienced in two construction projects that were procured using different contractual arrangements. The causes and costs of rework projects are analysed and discussed. The findings reveal that the cost of rework for the case study projects was 3.15% and 2.40% of their project contract value. Changes initiated by the client and end-user together with errors and omissions in contract documentation were found to be the primary causes of rework. It is recommended that construction companies and consultant firms (particularly design consultants) implement quality management practices as well as place emphasis on coordinating project documentation during the design development process so that the amount of rework in projects can be reduced or even eliminated.