Faisal Manzoor Arain

The potential effects of variation orders on institutional building projects

Purpose – To provide an in‐depth analysis of the potential effects of variations in institutional building projects, which would be helpful for building professionals in assessing and taking proactive measures for reducing the adverse impact of variations.Design/methodology/approach – To achieve the study objectives, a questionnaire survey was carried out to collect information on potential effects of variations. Responses from 28 professionals working for a developer organization (a government agency) were analyzed. Furthermore, 26 face‐to‐face interviews using the questionnaires were also analyzed.Findings – The results suggest that the most frequent effects of variations were increase in project costs, additional payments for contractor, progress affected but without any delay, completion schedule delay, increase in overhead expenses and rework and demolition. Recommendations were suggested based on the findings of the research and literature review.Research limitations/implications – This paper presen...

IT-based approach for effective management of project changes: A change management system (CMS)

In a perfect world, changes will be confined to the planning stages. However, late changes often occur during construction, and frequently cause serious disruption to the project. The need to make changes in a construction project is a matter of practical reality. Even the most thoughtfully planned project may necessitate changes due to various factors. The fundamental idea of any variation management system in a building project is to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, resolve, control, document, and learn from past variations in ways that support the overall viability of the project. Learning from past variations is imperative because the professionals can then improve and apply their experience in the future. Primarily, the study proposes six principles of change management. Based on these principles, a theoretical model for change management system (CMS) is developed. The theoretical model consists of six fundamental stages linked to two main components, i.e., a knowledge-base and a controls selection shell for making more informed decisions for effective management of variations. This paper argues that the information technology can be effectively used for providing an excellent opportunity for the professionals to learn from similar past projects and to better control project variations. Finally, the study briefly presents a knowledge-based decision support system (KBDSS) for the management of variations in educational building projects in Singapore. The KBDSS consists of two main components, i.e., a knowledge-base and a controls selection shell for selecting appropriate controls. The KBDSS is able to assist project managers by providing accurate and timely information for decision making, and a user-friendly system for analyzing and selecting the controls for variation orders for educational buildings. The CMS will enable the project team to take advantage of beneficial variations when the opportunity arises without an inordinate fear of the negative impacts. By having a systematic way to manage variations, the efficiency of project work and the likelihood of project success should increase. The study would assist building professionals in developing an effective variation management system. The system would be helpful for them to take proactive measures for reducing variation orders. Furthermore, with further generic enhancement and modification, the KBDSS will also be useful for the management of variations in other types of building projects, thus helping to raise the overall level of productivity in the construction industry. Hence, the system developed and the findings from this study would also be valuable for all building professionals in general.

Developers' Views of Potential Causes of Variation Orders for Institutional Buildings in Singapore

The study identifies the causes of variations in institutional building projects in Singapore. To achieve the study objectives, a questionnaire survey and interviews were carried out to collect information on potential causes of variations. Responses from 28 professionals with a government agency from the clients side were analyzed. The results suggest that the errors and omissions in design, change in specifications by owner, design discrepancies, change in specifications by consultant and lack of coordination were considered as the most important causes of variations in institutional building projects. Recommendations were suggested based on the findings of the research and literature review. The involvement of professionals during the design phase, thorough detailing of design, involvement of owner during the design phase and approval of the design by government bodies before the inception of construction activities were suggested for controlling the most important causes of variation orders for institutional buildings in Singapore. The causes of variation orders that were identified would be helpful for building professionals in assessing variation orders; furthermore, the suggested controls would also assist them in taking proactive measures for reducing variation orders for institutional buildings.

Strategic Management of Variation Orders for Institutional Buildings: Leveraging on information technology *

This study identifies major findings based on data collected from the source documents of 79 institutional building projects, and how these have implications for future policy. The study presents a Knowledge-Based Decision Support System (KBDSS), based on data collected from these 79 institutional buildings, for making timely and more informed decisions on the management of variations. To achieve the studys objectives, an in-depth study of source documents and a questionnaire survey were utilized. In-depth interviews with 62 professionals involved in these projects were analyzed. The KBDSS consists of two main components, a knowledge-base and a decision support shell for selecting appropriate controls. The KBDSS is able to assist project managers by providing accurate and timely information for decision-making, and a user-friendly system for analyzing and selecting the controls for variation orders regarding institutional buildings. The developed system and the findings of this study should be of interest to all building professionals.

How Design Consultants Perceive Potential Causes of Variation Orders for Institutional Buildings in Singapore

Abstract Variations are common in all types of construction projects. The construction process is influenced by highly changing variables and unpredictable factors that can arise from different sources. The study identifies the causes of variations in institutional building projects in Singapore. To achieve the study objectives, a questionnaire survey was carried out to collect information on potential causes of variations. Through the literature review, the 53 causes of variation orders were identified. These provided the basis for the formulation of the questionnaire. Responses from 33 design consultants, who were involved in the institutional projects in Singapore, were analysed. The survey results suggest that a change in plans or scope by the owner, unforeseen problems, defective workmanship, change in specifications by the owner and safety considerations were the most important causes of variation orders for institutional buildings in Singapore. Recommendations were suggested based on the findings of the research and literature review. The involvement of professionals during the design and construction phases, clear and thorough project briefs, frequent communication among professionals, involvement of a project manager from an independent firm to manage the project and involvement of the owner during the design phase were suggested for controlling the most important causes of variation orders for institutional buildings in Singapore.

Applying just‐in‐time principles in the delivery and management of airport terminal buildings

Purpose – This study aims to examine how the just‐in‐time (JIT) principles can be adopted for the air travel industry with specific emphasis on the management and operations of terminal buildings in airports.Design/methodology/approach – Three methods were adopted for the empirical part of this study. These included the observational walk‐through, interviews and survey questionnaires conducted in the Changi International Airport in Singapore. The evaluation for JIT application, as part of a larger study, includes the points of arrival and departure, the check‐in hall, immigration area, transit mall, gate lounges, food and beverage outlets, retail shops as well as other management initiatives that strive for continuous improvement. This paper focuses only on the check‐in hall.Findings – Japanese businesses have been able to compete successfully in the world market in recent decades because of their total dedication to quality and productivity issues. This has been made possible in part by the guiding princ...

The Nature and Frequency of Occurence of Variation Orders for Educational Building Projects in Singapore

Abstract The study identifies the nature and frequency of occurrence of variations orders for educational buildingprojects in Singapore. To achieve the study objectives, an in-depth study of source documents of seventynine educational building projects was carried out for data collection. In-depth interviews with 28 professionals from the developer organisation (a governmental agency), were analyzed. The results indicate that the total number of variations in upgrading projects was almost twice, in absolute terms, the total number of variations in new projects. Though, in the relative terms, the average number of variations in upgrading projects was almost 21% more than in new projects. Furthermore, in the new projects, architectural variations were 65.29% of the total numbers of variations, 20.37% were mechanical and electrical variations, and civil and structural variations were 11.83%. In the upgrading projects, architectural variations were 59.20% of the total numbers of variations, 25.19% were mechanical and electrical variations, and civil and structural variations were 11.75%. The professionals with the developer organisation strongly agreed that the nature and frequency of occurrence of variations vary between upgrading projects and new projects. Nevertheless, the results suggest that there are more variations in educational upgrading projects, whereas new projects had fewer variations. Recommendations are made for the most likely areas on which to focus to reduce the variations in future educational projects.

Subcontractor Prequalification Practices in Palestine

Abstract The construction industry is a major part of the Palestinian economy. Contracting companies carry out important construction projects in cooperation with subcontractors. The majority of elements of a construction project (such as shuttering, building, plastering, painting, carpentry, and ironmongery works) are implemented by subcontractors through the main contractors. The aim of this paper is to identify and rank the factors used by main contractors in the selection of suitable subcontractors in the Gaza Strip, and to propose recommendations for improving the selection of subcontractors. A survey was conducted of 57 main contractors and 57 subcontractors randomly selected from the Gaza Strip. The study revealed the important factors used by main contractors for selection of suitable subcontractors. These include adherence of the subcontractor to contract terms, adherence to time schedule, commitment to prices, good reputation, expertise in certain type of work, commitment to quality and the existence of required equipment and machinery. Factors related to the resources group were identified as the most important group of factors among the 16 groups used for the selection of subcontractors. It is recommended that contractors select the subcontractor according to previous experience, reputation and capabilities in terms of labour, equipment and machinery, since these items ensure the subcontractor’s commitment to contract conditions and completing the works according to the time schedule and while achieving best quality. This paper would be valuable for all academics and professionals involved in construction contracting business in general.

Value Management through a Knowledge-Based Decision Support System for Managing Variations in Educational Building Projects

Abstract Value management (VM) in construction is urgently required due to the escalating complexity of building projects. Building projects are complex because they involve many human and non-human factors and variables. VM, if implemented during the early stages, can save costs while maintaining or even improving the performance and quality of construction projects. The integration of project knowledge and experience at the design phase provides the best opportunity to improve overall project performance. This study presents a knowledge-based decision support system (KBDSS) to assist effective implementation of VM for controlling variations in educational building projects. The KBDSS consists of two main components, namely a knowledge base and a controls selection shell, and is developed by collecting data from the source documents of 80 educational projects, a questionnaire survey, and interviews in Singapore. The system provides an excellent opportunity for the project team to learn from past experiences. The system assists the project team in identifying potential variations and their effective controls during the early stages of construction projects. Furthermore, the KBDSS provides the project team with information on what changes in design can cause to variations. The system also assists in reducing costs and improving designs because the most likely areas in which to focus to reduce variations can be identified early during the design stage of building projects. In short, as part of the VM processes, the system is able to assist the project team by providing accurate and timely information for decision making, and a user-friendly tool for analyzing and selecting the suggested controls for managing variations in educational buildings.

Design and Construction of Skyscrapers@@@تصميم وإنشاء ناطحات السحاب

Designing and construction of skyscrapers were always considered as complex projects. This was because the designing and construction of skyscrapers required special considerations not only related to technological factors but also with respect to their safety and security. The considerations of safety and security in the design and construction of buildings in general and tall buildings in particular have taken a new dimension following the tragic events of September 11, 2001 leading to the collapse of World Trade Center (WTC towers). An awareness and acceptance of the threat by policy makers, building owners and importantly the various players involved in the design and construction process from the architect to the structural engineer is necessary for the application of blast-effects mitigation technologies and design methodologies to be effective. The engineering and the architectural professions thus have a strong on- going need for proper guidance to develop and enhance safety and security of the tall building structures. This paper examines the key recommendations proposed by the New York City Task Force (NYCTF). It summarizes the key recommendations and provides an overall view of considerations relating to the design and construction of tall buildings in the aftermath of September 11, and puts forward recommendations through which it is possible to provide practical levels of enhanced safety and security.