Discussion of Findings
4.7 Discussion of Findings
The information obtained through earlier literature study in Chapter 2, literature review and the results from the questionnaire distribution for questionnaire survey of the local contractors have fulfilled the objective of this study.
In general, this thesis was conducting an exploratory study on the preparation of construction work schedule to determine the factors which were affecting this mater in the construction industry. Therefore, the objectives of the study and findings will be reviewed as a resolution of the objectives. There were three (3) objectives posted in this study and further details on the individual findings and an overall outcome as the general conclusion summarized the entire study.
In this study, thirty-five (35) possible factors affecting the preparation of better construction work schedule were investigated. These factors were divided into four (4) main categories namely project specific factors, project management factors, working condition factors and external environment related factors. From the factors listed, eleven (11) factors scored an average index between 4.50 to 5.00 rating scale, twenty-two (22) factors has average index between 3.50 to 4.5 rating scale, whereas only 2 factors were have average index between 2.00 to 3.49 rating scale. This means In this study, thirty-five (35) possible factors affecting the preparation of better construction work schedule were investigated. These factors were divided into four (4) main categories namely project specific factors, project management factors, working condition factors and external environment related factors. From the factors listed, eleven (11) factors scored an average index between 4.50 to 5.00 rating scale, twenty-two (22) factors has average index between 3.50 to 4.5 rating scale, whereas only 2 factors were have average index between 2.00 to 3.49 rating scale. This means
Besides, this study has also identified the importance of these factors that affect the preparation of better construction work schedule. The factors which were very important were complexity of project, type of project, size of project and nature of project under the project specific factors.
Complexity of project is important as the activities and procedures involved will need a different approach from conventional. A more complex the construction project, the more complex the construction project, the greater the complication in preparing the construction work schedule. Besides, the type of project must be determined first whether it is a commercial building, housing estates, schools or others. Each building project requires different construction work schedule. Size and nature of project should be taken into consideration seriously before preparing the construction schedule. Large construction projects, such as an office building or industrial complex, are often too complicated. These projects are divided into many segments such as site preparation, landscaping and the building construction which require schedulers to determine the best way to get materials to the building site and the most cost-effective plan and schedule for completing the project. all required construction site activities are divided into logical steps, budgeting the time required to meet established deadlines which will require sophisticated estimating and scheduling techniques and use of computers with specialized software.
On the other hand, all the project management related factors was also important except for human resource training. The factor, identification of the critical activities, coordination with other team members, understanding responsibilities of team members, technical capability and commitment of all parties were very important. Every activities involved in the whole construction process should be carefully listed and planned systematically to avoid missing tasks and delay. This is also to smooth the construction process with a clear direction of process to follow. Every members participating in a construction project should keep a god relationship between each other in order to ensure that works carry out is according to plan. Without good relationship, problems may arise and team members, authority to make On the other hand, all the project management related factors was also important except for human resource training. The factor, identification of the critical activities, coordination with other team members, understanding responsibilities of team members, technical capability and commitment of all parties were very important. Every activities involved in the whole construction process should be carefully listed and planned systematically to avoid missing tasks and delay. This is also to smooth the construction process with a clear direction of process to follow. Every members participating in a construction project should keep a god relationship between each other in order to ensure that works carry out is according to plan. Without good relationship, problems may arise and team members, authority to make
Nevertheless, the other project management related factors which were the ability to delegate authority to team members, authority to make decisions, leadership quality, technical capability, lack of understanding of operating procedures, inadequate project formulation in the beginning, uniqueness of the project activities requiring high technical know-how, monitoring and feedback by client, ignorance of appropriate planning tools and techniques, reluctance in timely decision, mismatch in capabilities of client and architect, availability of resources, reluctance in timely decision, conflicts among team members, project completion date specified but not yet planned, negative attitude, aggressive competition at tender stage, and tendency to pass on the blame to others are quite important. Thus, the construction team members should always pay attention to these factors to prepare a good construction work schedule so that construction work can be carried out smoothly and effectively.
Factors with the lowest average index were human resource training and political environment. The construction players believed that human resource training affect the preparation of construction work schedule less. However, it can educate team members to learn more on managing human and projects which improve productivity.
Furthermore, working condition related factors were also very important. The scope and nature of work was considered as very important because the scope and nature of work will be the base for preparing the construction work schedule. Inaccurate scope and nature of work will result in misleading deceptive or false statement or even claims in the construction projects.
External environment related factors were fairly important affecting in the preparation of construction work schedule. These factors refer to economic environment, technological environment, industrial relation environment, social environment and physical environment. These factors were inter-related to all the other factors mentioned above. Economic environment seem to be important due to the importance of the country economic situation.
Methods of improvement in preparing construction work schedule were also identified in order to help the project team members produce a more effective and good construction work schedule. Any improvement methods will help in the preparation but only a few will drastically enhance the development of the construction work schedule namely project team leaders should keep good relationship with all project participants, continuous and proper planning before construction so that resources and time were sufficient and give prompt feedback/action when any matter arises.