Research Proposal

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (MEGA CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS)

Hohai University

Applied for CSC Scholarship

For
Master in Sciences

In

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Submitted By: Engr. Abdul Basit Ahmad

(B.E Civil Engineering)
ABSTRACT

Mega construction projects are complex undertakings. The complexity is increased during a
construction boom in a city such as Dubai where more than 80% of material and labor resources
are imported. The complexities inherent in mega construction projects include uncertainty and
interdependencies, which affect project management performance at the operational level where
most of the problems occur. Understanding these processes, how they interrelate and how to
overcome the complexities is crucial for increasing the chances of project management success.
This research contributed to construction project management theory and practice by using a
highly inductive exploratory qualitative approach for capturing formal and informal processes in
mega construction projects in Dubai. A dynamic model depicting the complementary formal and
informal processes is developed showing formal and informal processes and how they interrelate
to reduce complexity.

Guidelines on how and when to use specific processes are provided as a framework for the
model. This framework may be used to help develop communication processes in future complex
projects to increase chances of project management success. The research was conducted by
exploring two case study projects fitting the characteristics of mega construction projects. Both
case study projects were of values above 1.5 Billion US Dollars and were similar in scope with
elements including amusement parks, retail areas, hotels, extensive infrastructure and large
landscape areas. Both case study projects were of an experimental character, considered an
‘engineering’ achievement, complex, and thereby, difficult to control. The research data were
collected through semi-structured interviews with 83 project staff from both case study projects.
Rich picture diagrams of the organization and processes were made from data collected during
the interviews and case study project documents. The analysis was performed in three phases
where the results from each phase were built upon cumulatively.

BACKGROUND

Complex projects demand an exceptional level of information flow management, where

conventional systems developed for ordinary projects have been found inappropriate. Complex
projects require that differentiation and interdependencies are managed by integration (i.e.
coordination, communication and control). This is particularly true of construction projects,
which are typified by strongly differentiated but largely interdependent parts. Construction
projects face a high degree of task uncertainty. Task uncertainty may be defined as “the
difference between the amount of information required to perform the task and the amount of
information already possessed by the organization”. Therefore, task uncertainty requires
information to close the gap between information available and information required, thereby
enabling the achievement of the task.

Internal problems in construction projects

Some of the critical performance criteria and determinants of project success are on time
completion and within budget. Although, these criteria alone may be misleading, factors
delaying the completion of the project and cost overruns shed light on problems in construction
projects. Both criteria are largely dependent as delays are costly and often result in disputes and
claims, and generally retard the development of the construction industry .There is general
agreement in the literature emanating from a variety of countries that the factors causing most
delay and cost overruns in construction projects are internal to the project environment (i.e.
client, contractor, consultant, and contract). External factors are not as problematic.

Brief overview of the research methodology and method

The research was purposely initiated with an open mind. Therefore, the research at the outset is
largely inductive despite the research objectives being developed. Following the literature review
questions were generated for the exploratory semi-structured interviews. It was decided that the
most appropriate research approach was qualitative multiple-case studies incorporating
interviews and other data describing the organization and processes of work. This would satisfy
the replication logic required in this type of research. The primary data sources were the semi-
structured interviews and documents made available from the case study projects. Triangulation
of the data was achieved through multiple case interviews and multiple data sources, including
documents provided and diagrams sketched during the interviews.

Research methodology is the framework associated with a particular set of paradigmatic

assumptions that is used to conduct research. Research methodology is informed by what we
know philosophically and its applications affect what we come to know. “The principles and
procedures of logical thought processes applied to a scientific research” refers to what is known
as “research methodology”. Although the term methodology means different things to different
people, and as any other concept, its meaning is continually evolving, what is important to
understand is that research methodology deals with the methods for creating knowledge about
the world and the interpretation of this knowledge in light of the ontological epistemological
positions.

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