Effects of Inputs from the Preconstruction Activities on the Design Phase of Construction Projects

Distinguished Toastmaster, Consultant in Project Management / Construction Management / Process Improvements, B.Sc. Eng. Hons. (Moratuwa), FIE (Sri Lanka), C. Eng., P.E., M.ASCE, DBM, Dip HRM (Merit), Dip(Cleaner Production), Dip(Human Rights), Senior Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering B.Sc. Eng. Hons. (Moratuwa), M.A.Sc. (BrCol), Ph.D. (BrCol), C. Eng., Int. PE, FIE (SL), FNAS(SL) Success of the design of a project would depend on the adequacy of its inputs. The adequacy of inputs from the preconstruction activities is important to achieve effective delivery of a design and then the construction project. This study focused on identifying the relevant preconstruction activities and analyzing the adequacy of use of the outputs of preconstruction activities as inputs to the design of construction projects. Thirty eight design phase related preconstruction activities were identified through literature review. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire regarding the adequacy of the inputs from the identified preconstruction activities to the design phase from the professionals involved in construction projects in the industry. The data was analysed by multiple regression analysis and using the best fit, a model to predict the Relevance and Adequacy/Inadequacy of outputs of preconstruction activities (as inputs to the design phase) was proposed. Exponantial relationship between Relevance (x) of the preconstruction activity and Adequacy (y) of the output of the of the carried out preconstruction activity (as the input to the design phase)was found as the best fit of the multiple regression analysis in the form of “y = 2.6916e0.024x”. Also, % of Inadequacy (z) = 100% - % Adequacy. Hence, a model to predict % Inadequacy,"z = 100% - y = 2.6916e0.024x”, was proposed to find out the inadequacy of the use of output of a relevant preconstruction activity