ABSTRACT
Construction projects like
other projects are guided by objectives which are achieved when effective
planning is deliberately done. Moreover, quality is assured with effective
planning. Irrespective of the activities undertaken on a construction projects,
due diligent to planning is essential which adapts accepted techniques for the
realization of the project objectives. Small Scale Construction Firms (SSCF)
are challenged with the application of the planning tools, therefore, the study
aims at investigating into the construction planning tools and techniques used
by SSCF in the Ghanaian Construction Industry. Review of existing literature
was carried out to identify the factors and it was followed by questionnaire
survey to the respondents. 73 questionnaire were retrieved out of 80
questionnaires administered. The analysis was consequently grounded on this
response rate. Mean Score Ranking and Relative importance index were the
analytical tools used on the data collected. The following findings were
identified from the study; respondents indicated that organizations utilized
only simple tools, and tools that require less training to use. Furthermore, it
was revealed that management problems, limited project planning, knowledge,
awareness problems, policy problems are the challenges faced by SSCF in the
implementation of construction planning tools and techniques. The following
recommendations were made due to the findings of the study; construction
professionals should have formal training in construction planning education in
order to apply construction planning and techniques tools, or otherwise
organizations should employ the services of qualified construction planning
professionals to undertake construction planning.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Globally, the building industry is
known to have an important contribution in the socio-economic growth of every
country. Owusu-Sechere (2008) stated that, infrastructure development and opportunity
for employment has been associated to the industry, which is all key indicators
to the socio-economic growth of countries. Construction contributes about 10.5%
of the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and employed about 6% of the economically
active population (Ghana Statistical Services, 2013). However, despite the
substantial role of construction in the economy, numerous studies have
indicated that there are large numbers of unsuccessful construction projects
implementation in the construction industry due to the inability or limited
practicing of planning techniques (Hayford and Sarfraz, 2013). They further
clarified that, though the level of planning tools and techniques application
within the larger firms is much more utilized, there still appear to be
constrictions in terms of its utilization.
In the developing economies which
Ghana is not an exemption, there exist more Small Scale Construction Firms as
related to Large Scale Construction Firms (Kenny, 2007). The importance of
Small Scale Construction firms in every country can never be underestimated, as
they have crucial role in the countries especially the developing. Increasing
importance has been given to Small Scale Construction Firms in the building
industry of Ghana. Nonetheless, they have received a lot of attention from
government in developing countries (Raynard and Forstater, 2002; Forstater et
al., 2006), as a result of the role that they play.
Construction implementation as
Murphy and Ledwith (2007) writes is the core area of construction that
clarifies the appropriate tool or techniques to use in defining, planning
during the implementation stage of the project. Ko and Cheng (2003) indicated
that, planning of construction activities is the process of achieving the
objectives of construction by construction resources. The Project Management
Institution (2000) added that, construction planning applies knowledge, skills,
techniques and tools to decide on the suitable resources required to achieved
the project objectives of working within time, within or on budget and
delivering a quality project This is fully echoed by Baccarini (1999) who
emphasized that, present construction planning owes to three principal stimuli:
Complexity – Emerging complexity of
task as well required for a great mark of knowledge.
Change –Advancing innovative
environments with unchanging pressure within organizations to implement as a
result of universal competition.
Time – Call for tasks to be done as
swiftly as possible.
Nonetheless, current construction
planning has grown as a field of specialty continuously restructuring it
capabilities to integrate itself in current practices (Murphy and Ledwith,
2007). Construction planning is a diffusion of trending problems, tools and
techniques as well as methods of planning that integrate a field of discipline
which are applied to diverse specialties, for diverse challenges in diverse
cultures” as opined by Cawford et al. (2005).Numerous tools and techniques have
been proposed and established for the purposes of planning construction in
large organizations; yet Small Scale Construction Firms are weak in areas of
initiating the project, planning and execution of project (Ledwith, 2004). As
Murphy and Ledwith (2007) write, small scale contractors demonstrated limited
use of planning tools and techniques are not benefiting from management of
construction in terms of increase quality as well as services delivery.
Construction planning tools and techniques as utilized by large firms has
gained the interest of construction management researchers and has become an
area of much research interest. Although it has become an area of much research
interest, very little work has been done about construction tools and techniques
appropriate planning construction projects for Small Scale Construction Firms.
Thus, the study seeks to investigate into the application of construction
planning tools and techniques employed on construction projects executed by
Small Scale Construction Firms in the Ghanaian construction industry.
For more Building Technology Projects Click here
===================================================================Item Type: Ghanaian Topic | Size: 57 pages | Chapters: 1-5
Format: MS Word | Delivery: Within 30Mins.
===================================================================
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.