Short answer

Develop and implement a proactive checklist of preventive, predictive, corrective, and organizational measures to address common project inhibitors like design changes and subcontractor performance.

Field: Innovation & Markets
Source: Construction Management and Economics (2010)
Method: Mixed-methods research combining survey and qualitative interviews.
Sample: 250 organizations surveyed, 15 organizations interviewed.
Evidence: Strong effect

Implementing a structured approach to identify and address common project inhibitors, such as design changes and subcontractor performance, significantly improves the likelihood of meeting cost and time objectives in construction. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2010 study published in Construction Management and Economics. Using Mixed-methods research combining survey and qualitative interviews. with 250 organizations surveyed, 15 organizations interviewed., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Develop and implement a proactive checklist of preventive, predictive, corrective, and organizational measures to address common project inhibitors like design changes and subcontractor performance.

Study

Innovation & MarketsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Proactive Risk Mitigation Boosts Construction Project Success Rates

Construction Management and Economics · 2010

Key Findings

01Design changes, risks/uncertainties, inaccurate evaluation of project time/duration, project complexities, and non-performance of subcontractors are leading inhibitors of cost and time control.
02A comprehensive set of 90 mitigating measures, categorized as preventive, predictive, corrective, and organizational, can be developed to address these inhibitors.

Application

Design takeaway

Develop and implement a proactive checklist of preventive, predictive, corrective, and organizational measures to address common project inhibitors like design changes and subcontractor performance.

How to apply

Create a project-specific risk register and mitigation plan that directly addresses the identified inhibiting factors, incorporating the suggested checklist of measures.

Project actions

01When planning a design project, think about potential risks and how you will manage them.
02Consider the reliability and performance of any external suppliers or partners involved in your project.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the primary factors inhibiting effective cost and time control in construction projects, and what practical measures can be implemented to mitigate these challenges?

MethodMixed-methods research combining survey and qualitative interviews.

ProcedureA survey was administered to 250 construction organizations in the UK to identify common inhibiting factors. Subsequently, face-to-face interviews were conducted with experienced practitioners from 15 of these organizations to further explore these factors and develop mitigating measures.

Sample250 organizations surveyed, 15 organizations interviewed.

ContextConstruction project management.

Variables

IVImplementation of mitigating measures for identified inhibiting factors.

DVProject cost and time adherence.

CVProject type, project size, team experience.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses a practical gap in research by focusing on inhibiting factors and mitigation.
+Combines quantitative survey data with qualitative interview insights for a comprehensive understanding.

Limitations

The specific inhibiting factors and their impact might differ for projects outside the construction industry or in different regions.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is strengthened by the mixed-methods approach, which allows for triangulation of findings. Reliability could be enhanced by replicating the survey across different geographical regions.

Think critically

To what extent do the proposed mitigating measures need to be adapted for different types of design projects (e.g., software development vs. product design)?

Design Principles

"Effective project control relies on anticipating and systematically managing potential disruptions rather than reacting to them."

Construction projects are complex undertakings where deviations from planned cost and time can have substantial financial repercussions. Understanding and proactively managing the factors that impede effective control is crucial for project managers and stakeholders to ensure project viability and profitability.

What This Means for Your Design

To make sure construction projects finish on time and within budget, it's important to figure out what usually goes wrong (like changing designs or unreliable subcontractors) and have a plan to deal with those problems before they happen.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of risk management and proactive problem-solving in your design project's planning or evaluation sections.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights that effective cost and time control in complex projects, such as construction, is significantly influenced by proactive management of common inhibiting factors like design changes and subcontractor performance. By developing and implementing a structured set of mitigating measures, project managers can enhance project predictability and success rates.

Source

Construction Management and Economics

Cost and time control of construction projects: inhibiting factors and mitigating measures in practice

journal · 2010

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about proactive risk mitigation boosts construction project success rates?: Develop and implement a proactive checklist of preventive, predictive, corrective, and organizational measures to address common project inhibitors like design changes and subcontractor performance. Evidence: Construction Management and Economics (2010).
Why does "Proactive Risk Mitigation Boosts Construction Project Success Rates" matter for design?: Construction projects are complex undertakings where deviations from planned cost and time can have substantial financial repercussions. Understanding and proactively managing the factors that impede effective control is crucial for project managers and stakeholders to ensure project viability and profitability.
How can designers apply this research?: Develop and implement a proactive checklist of preventive, predictive, corrective, and organizational measures to address common project inhibitors like design changes and subcontractor performance.
What were the main findings?: Design changes, risks/uncertainties, inaccurate evaluation of project time/duration, project complexities, and non-performance of subcontractors are leading inhibitors of cost and time control.. A comprehensive set of 90 mitigating measures, categorized as preventive, predictive, corrective, and organizational, can be developed to address these inhibitors.
What research method was used?: Mixed-methods research combining survey and qualitative interviews. with 250 organizations surveyed, 15 organizations interviewed..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2010 journal from Construction Management and Economics.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Create a project-specific risk register and mitigation plan that directly addresses the identified inhibiting factors, incorporating the suggested checklist of measures.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on construction projects in the UK, and findings may vary in different geographical or industry contexts. The effectiveness of the proposed measures is based on practitioner consensus and may require further empirical validation.