Strategies For Improving Professional Project Management Practices In The Ghanaian Construction Industry
E. Kissi1, D. K. Ahadzie and E. Badu
Professional Project Management Practice (PPMP) has become a modern technique for
implementation of projects. However, in developing countries such as Ghana the practice has not
seen much improvement in its implementation. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to determine
strategies that are important for effective practices of project management in the Ghanaian
Construction Industry (GCI). In order to ascertain these strategies, a mixed methodology approach
was adopted. Qualitative data was gathered through semi-structured interviews at the pilot survey
stage with twenty (20) stakeholders and on the quantitative approach one hundred and eighty three
(183) questionnaires were administered to professional project managers. Out of this, 143 were
retrieved which achieved a relatively high response of 78%. Subsequently, data was analysed using
mean score analysis (one sample t-test). Based on the findings of the survey and analysis, this paper
highlights six (6) most significant strategies for improving professional project management
practices. These strategies are ranked as: setting-up of institution for regulation of the practice,
stakeholder's engagement and round table discussions among project participants, policy makers
recognising the benefits of the practice and incorporating procurement laws thereby enforced to the
letter, continuous professional developments, awareness creation among organisations and
institutions and developing an attitude at the corporate level by treating any assignment as project
management task. The paper suggests strategies which, when adopted will help to improve the
performance of the construction industry as a whole. It is also the baseline on which, other
developing countries can enumerate upon for effective, efficient and comprehensive practices of
project management.
Strategies, Professional project management practices, Ghanaian construction industry
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Research Articles
Application Of Quality Function Deployment For Modal Choice Selection Of Mass Rapid Transit System Project
Debasis Sarkar, Nirali Shukla
Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is an effective tool for providing a systematic approach to
convert customers' desires into product or process attributes. The House of Quality (HOQ) matrix
provides a framework with definite guidelines that would enable the non measurable user
requirements to be linked with the realistic actions that need to be taken while selecting the most
feasible option of a product or process from a set of available options. This paper is an attempt to
explore the potentiality of application of QFD and particularly HOQ which is a conceptual map
of QFD for evaluating the different possible options of MRTS feasible for Ahmedabad city. The
parameters involved and associated with the construction and operation of different modes of
MRTS are evaluated with major focus on commuter requirements and satisfaction by HOQ
models. The modes of MRTS considered for the study include Metro rail (elevated and
underground), Light Rail Transit (LRT) at grade, Monorail and Bus Rapid Transit System
(BRTS). A number of conflicting qualitative and quantitative criteria exist for evaluating
alternative modes of transport. This evaluation has been carried out by a group of decision makers
from different management levels and functional areas in the sector of transportation and from the
experts with an intent to provide a more accurate and mutually acceptable solution.
Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Mass rapid transit system, Urban transportation, House of Quality (HOQ)
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Research Articles
Identification Of Causes Of Dispute And Effectiveness Of Resolution Mechanism In Indian Construction Industry
Mohd. Farhan and Abhay Tawalare
Conflict and disputes are inevitable to the construction industry. Disputes lead to the disruption of construction schedules, increased project costs, and adversely influence relationships between project participants. This paper reviews various sources of construction disputes and the methods of dispute resolutions adopted by construction industry worldwide. This paper aims to identify the causes of construction disputes in India and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing practice of disputes resolution methods in Indian construction projects. The study is based on a questionnaire survey. The data was gathered and analyzed by using mean, standard deviation and relative importance index (RII).The results show that changes of scope due to extra work, errors, defects and omissions, contract documents, difference in interpretation of the contract conditions between parties, issues regarding quality of work are critical causes of disputes and 'negotiation' is the most preferred option of dispute resolution in Indian construction industry.
Causes of dispute, Dispute resolution mechanism, Construction industry, India
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Research Articles
An Analysis Of Cost And Time Overruns In Construction Projects
Chintan Hitesh Patel, Himanshu Chaturvedi, Megha R. Rao, Priyanka Katta and
K. N. Narasimha Prasad
Cost and time overruns have become issues of serious concern in the construction industry. With
the government owning most of the infrastructure projects in India, the overruns have a
detrimental effect on the national economy. Several measures like e-tendering, escalation clause,
etc., were introduced to bring down the overruns but the overruns continue unabated. In the present
study, possible reasons for the overruns are identified and they are verified through a questionnaire
survey with government engineers to identify the critical reasons for the cost and time overruns.
Statistical tests used in the study involve univariate analysis wherein rankings are tested for
correlation using Spearman's rank correlation technique and one tailed tests. From the study, it's
concluded that the factors affecting the cost and the time overruns aren't the same, but are
interdependent. While the cost overruns are due to variations in the quantities estimated and
actually executed, time overruns are attributed to short time for proper bid submission, lack of
commitment of project participants, poor coordination etc. Some of the critical reasons for
overruns are: (i) No budgetary support for the work, (ii) Inaccurate estimation resulting in too
many non-tendered items, (iii) Design and drawing not ready at the time of estimation of
quantities and cost, (iv) Frequent changes (deviations) in the work.
Cost overrun, Time overruns, Budget, Inaccurate estimation, Deviations in work
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Research Articles
Light Pipe - A Sustainable Technology For Better Lighting In Building Services
P. Muralidhar and V. Srihari
In present scenario, many countries in the world are facing huge power crisis for domestic and
industry needs. Fossil fuels are no longer going to support the present demand and renewable
energy is the only alternative to meet the crisis. Solar energy has highest potential for utilization as
alternative energy source. The present paper highlights the importance of day light utilization for
lighting purpose exclusively in the cities where set backs are not maintained properly for buildings
as per municipal norms and are facing improper ventilation at the same time. They are consuming
more power in day time also. To address these problems, an innovative sustainable technology
named as Light Pipe is proposed and explained in order to resolve these issues very effectively and
economically for better building lighting services.
Light Pipe, Day light, Power saving, Green technology
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Research Articles
A Study Of Vehicular Underpasses Of Bangalore City
N. Ramesh Babu and Harish M.
Bangalore city is getting more and more congested day by day and in order to reduce congestion
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA)
have constructed many vehicular underpasses. These underpasses should be constructed as per
Indian Road Congress (IRC) standards and along with it, proper drainage facilities, proper
lighting facilities, proper road signs and markings etc., should be provided. Maintenance of
underpasses is also important in order to increase the life of the underpasses and also for better
utilization. This study tries to find out whether the underpasses are constructed as per IRC
standards and proper lighting, proper road signs and markings have been provided for the
underpasses and also proper maintenance has been done for these underpasses.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) - constructed many vehicular underpasses as per Indian Road Congress (IRC) standards
Research & Publications Department 