Over the past two decades, the Pakistani construction sector is experiencing many problems particularly housing shortages, cost and time overruns, and construction defects due to lack of adequate project management practices. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of project management practices in Pakistan compared to the UK to avoid time and cost overruns of construction projects.
A blend of primary and secondary data collection methods are used to achieve this aim where primary data is collected through survey method. The findings of the paper suggest that Pakistani construction industry is different from the UK in terms of not adequately practicing most of the project management practices. A majority of construction participants agreed that such practices are inherent to avoid the cost/time overruns but some problematic factors are hindering the implementation of those practices in Pakistan.
Some of the critical factors include changes in the scope of the project, lack of knowledge, skills and experience, fear of change, lack of top management commitment, and excessive bureaucracy. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations to Pakistani construction sector explaining how they can adopt modern PM practices undertaken in developed countries particularly in the UK to avoid the cost/time overruns.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE RESEARCH
1.3 RESEARCH PROBLEM AND RATIONALE
1.4 RESEARCH AIM
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 OVERVIEW OF UK AND PAKISTANI CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES
2.2.1 Construction Industry in Global Context
2.2.2 Construction Industry of Pakistan
2.2.3 Construction Industry of the United Kingdom
2.3 CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT
2.3.1 The Construction Project Lifecycle
2.3.2 The General Construction Process
2.4 CAUSES OF TIME/COST OVERRUNS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
2.4.1 Pakistani Perspective
2.4.2 UK Perspective
2.5 PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
2.5.1 Procurement
2.5.2 Partnering
2.5.3 Risk Management
2.5.4 Value Management
2.5.5 Sustainable Construction
2.5.6 Benchmarking
2.5.7 Supply Chain Management
2.5.8 Lean Construction
2.6 BENEFITS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
2.7 FACTORS HINDER THE ADOPTION OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
2.8 SUMMARY
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 METHODOLOGY OF THE RESEARCH
3.3 PHILOSOPHY OF THE RESEARCH
3.4 RESEARCH DESIGN
3.5 RESEARCH APPROACH
3.5.1 Qualitative vs. Quantitative
3.5.2 Deductive vs. Inductive
3.6 RESEARCH METHODS
3.6.1 Methods used for Data Collection
3.6.1.1 Primary Data Collection Method
3.6.1.2 Secondary Data Collection Method
3.6.3 Limitations of the Research Methods
3.6.3 Reliability and Validity of Data
3.7 DATA ANALYSIS
3.8 SAMPLE AND POPULATION OF THE STUDY
3.8.1 Sample Size Determination
3.9 RESOURCES USED
3.10 RESEARCH ETHICS
3.11 RESEARCH LIMITATIONS
3.12 SUMMARY OF THE CHAPTER
Chapter 4: Results and Analysis
4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.2 DESCRIPTION OF ACQUIRED DATA
4.3 DATA RELIABILITY TEST
4.4 RESPONDENT’S DESIGNATION
4.5 TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
4.6 NUMBER OF PROJECTS TIME/COST OVERRUN
4.7 CAUSES OF TIME/COST OVERRUN PROJECTS
4.8 IMPORTANCE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
4.9 USE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
4.10 BENEFITS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
4.11 ADEQUACY OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
4.12 FACTORS AFFECTING THE ADOPTION OF MODERN PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
4.13 SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS
Chapter 5: Discussion
5.1 INTRODUCTION
5.2 CAUSES OF TIME AND COST OVERRUNS
5.2 SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PAKISTANI AND UK PM PRACTICES
5.3 FACTORS THAT HINDER THE ADOPTION OF PM PRACTICES
Chapter 6: Conclusion and Recommendations
6.1 INTRODUCTION
6.2 CONCLUSION
6.3 SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS
6.4 RESEARCH LIMITATIONS
6.5 FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Research Objectives and Themes
This study aims to investigate the role of project management practices within the construction industries of Pakistan and the UK to mitigate time and cost overruns. By conducting a comparative analysis, the research seeks to identify differences and similarities in how these practices are applied and to uncover the factors that act as barriers to adopting modern project management methodologies in Pakistan.
- Comparative analysis of construction project management practices in the UK and Pakistan.
- Identification of critical causes of time and cost overruns in construction projects.
- Evaluation of the effectiveness and adoption levels of key project management tools.
- Exploration of cultural, technical, and organizational barriers hindering the implementation of modern practices.
- Development of actionable recommendations for the Pakistani construction sector based on UK standards.
Excerpt from the Book
2.5.1 Procurement
Procurement is a procedure of ascertaining a suitable method for monitoring and controlling a construction project and choosing the best people to devise, deliver, and operate required activities (Edum-Fotwe and McCaffer, 2001). Today, lump sum contracts and lowest price tendering are the common methods for the selection of contractors and sub-contractors. But latest procurement methods stress the need for choosing best organisations that can work well in a collaborative environment, and also they understand and exercise the principles of ‘Partnering’ (ibid). Several procurement methods include: traditional/ conventional, design and build, construction management, and integrated.
The procurement is the key problem in the construction industry of Pakistan as the construction parties use conventional procurement methods based on lowest bidding policy. El-Hasia (2005) found that procurement policy in Pakistani construction industry is inadequate and lacks in clarity in defining goals. He further explains that the procurement policy restricts public construction parties to adopt new or innovative procurement methods that are more beneficial in terms of achieving client’s objectives. As a result, the construction projects are cost and time overrun.
In contrast to Pakistan, UK construction industry is popular in using new methods of procurement. UK construction parties choose a procurement method for their projects on the basis of contractual agreements in accordance with the client’s resources, policies, and organisational structure. But the latest survey of Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) consisting of nearly 300 construction firms reveals that bureaucratic and delayed procurement processes are damaging the UK construction industry (Reynolds, 2012).
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter introduces the research context, problem statement regarding cost and time overruns in Pakistan, and defines the research aim and questions.
Chapter 2: Literature Review: This section provides a comprehensive overview of construction industries in the UK and Pakistan and reviews existing project management practices and barriers to their adoption.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology: This chapter outlines the research philosophy, design, and methods, explaining the use of a mixed-methods approach to gather and analyze primary and secondary data.
Chapter 4: Results and Analysis: This chapter presents the data collected from the survey, including reliability tests, demographic analysis of respondents, and the ranking of causes and benefits of project management practices.
Chapter 5: Discussion: This chapter analyzes the findings by comparing them with existing literature, highlighting differences and similarities between Pakistani and UK construction practices.
Chapter 6: Conclusion and Recommendations: This chapter summarizes the study's conclusions and provides specific recommendations for the Pakistani construction industry to adopt modern project management practices to reduce overruns.
Keywords
Project Management, Construction Industry, Time Overruns, Cost Overruns, Pakistan, United Kingdom, Procurement, Risk Management, Value Management, Sustainable Construction, Benchmarking, Supply Chain Management, Lean Construction, Comparative Study, Infrastructure Development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research investigates the role of project management practices in the construction sectors of Pakistan and the UK, specifically focusing on how these practices can prevent construction time and cost overruns.
What are the primary themes explored in the study?
The study explores procurement, partnering, risk management, value management, sustainable construction, benchmarking, supply chain management, and lean construction as critical project management tools.
What is the main goal of the dissertation?
The primary aim is to identify the differences and similarities between Pakistani and UK construction project management practices and to provide recommendations for the Pakistani sector to mitigate chronic project delays and budget overruns.
Which scientific methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a triangulation approach, combining qualitative research through literature review and quantitative research through descriptive surveys of construction professionals from both countries.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the literature review of management practices, the methodology for data collection, the analysis of survey results comparing professional perspectives, and a discussion on factors hindering the adoption of modern techniques.
Which key terms best describe this work?
Key terms include project management, construction overruns, comparative analysis, procurement, risk management, and infrastructure development.
Why are cost and time overruns particularly problematic in Pakistan?
The research indicates that the Pakistani construction industry often operates under inefficient conditions with outdated technology and a lack of adoption of formal project management practices, leading to frequent project delays.
How does the author propose to improve construction outcomes in Pakistan?
The author recommends specific strategies, such as improving procurement transparency, implementing formal risk registers, adopting value engineering, and encouraging top-management commitment to modern project management training.
- Quote paper
- Muhammad Sajid Saeed (Author), 2013, The role of project management practices in avoiding time and cost overruns, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/317978
