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knowledge, explore and usage of new methodology as well as standards tools on
construction project.
INTRODUCTION
Problem Statement
Construction is a process in which an organization takes on a project,
assigns a team to build it, and provides systems, which are tools, equipment,
processes, and procedures with which the team can complete the work. These
three basic elements are required for a project to succeed. Nowadays, there is
numerous construction projects were facing problems because of poor
management systems and non-effective management. To complete the project
successfully, the product has to meet the expected level of quality and contract
terms. The systems have to be integrated and aligned to allow the people to
perform their work efficiently, effectively, and safely. Addition that, effectively
site management should be carried out in accordance with a predefined planning
schedule where the purpose is to prevent delays. These delays can be reduced or
prevented by an increased pre- project planning and successful project
management, as they are one of the most critical success factors of the
construction project accomplishment [7]. Unfortunately, many construction
companies engage in repeated ineffective practices that lead to low standard
results and they repeat these practices time again with predictable outcomes.
Understanding the causes and effect of ineffective construction management
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practices may provide an avenue to reducing some of the problems faced by the
people involved in project delivery. Recognizing these ineffective practices will
assist in avoiding them and so improving the chances of success. Typically,
construction management experiences many problems that need to be better
understood and resolved. This study is important to evaluate the effectiveness of
the implementation of good management system practices to improve the quality
of construction site management in Malaysia. The factors of poor site
management practices can be controlled and then need to be emphasized in its
implementation to minimize the impact on the performance of a project. It is
hoped that this study can provide awareness to improve the efficiency of effective
site management practices in the future and further overcome the problem of
construction delays, time overruns, effort and cost overruns as well as reducing
the problem of building defects.
Objectives
The aim of this study is to explore the issues of ineffective or poor site
management practices on construction project. To achieve this aim, a few
objectives have been identified as follows: -
Scope of Study
Data collection focused on person who involved in construction site
around the Klang Valley. The target respondents for this study were those
involved in the site management such as developer, consultants, project
managers, project engineers, project supervisors and government agency such as
Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) which involved in the construction project.
LITERATURE REVIEW
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mentioned that poor management is one of the critical reasons, which can
negatively affect the construction business and thus result in failure.
Site management practice is defined as a fundamental integrating process
used to achieve organized and successful results where building or construction
work is being carried out, whether it is within, adjacent to, or separate from an
existing occupied building [9]. Site management practices are a combination of
activities, which turn basic resources into a finished product. This can range from
organization of the materials, labour and other resources on the site to which
control the flows of information, quality and finance. Griffith and Watson (2004)
define site management as a combination of four groups of inter-related
components: preliminary works, site organization, and site layout and welfare
provision.
Failure of site management on construction sites is mainly related to the
problems and failure of communication and performance between the
professional team and the contractor [10]. However, there are many reasons and
factors, which contribute to this problem. An increasing number of construction
organizations are applying project improvement initiatives to improve their
performance according to [11]. The fundamental objectives are to deliver
construction projects to the required quality more quickly and improve project
performance. Unfortunately, practice is not that simple as construction work has
become more complex technically and administratively, and there are several
challenging engineering and management problems that occur on the site
[12][13].
METHODOLOGY
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Table 1 shows the classification for the rating scale [15].
The results shown below were generated from the 150 responded
questionnaires from professionals representing developer, contractor, consultants
and government agency organization. The demographic of the respondent include
age, gender, race, working type of company, job position and duration
involvement in construction industry. The major respondent age was in the range
age of 31-40 years which is 70 respondents, followed by age 21-30 years which
is 35 respondent and 41-50 years which is 22 respondents. Meanwhile for gender,
male 78 respondents while female only 52. The respondent organization came
from contractor which contribute 58 respondent, government agency (local
authorities and JKR) is 26 respondent and developer 15 respondent. The job
position of the respondent is project engineer/coordinator/executive which
contribute 44 respondent, government personnel (engineer, assistant engineer,
technical assistant) contribute 26 person and site supervisor 20-person
respondent. The major respondent working duration with construction company
is between 5 to 10 years which is 51 person and more than 10 years which is 45
people.
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team. Effective communication is very important in the implementation of
projects on construction sites due to the involvement of various processes and
work sequences on the site itself. Poor communication can result in failure to
complete the project as scheduled. Site management systems in the construction
industry should understand the causes and effects of poor communication and
take action to improve good communication processes in their projects.
Based on Table 2, most respondents agreed that poor communication also
leads to ineffectiveness factors in construction site management practices. Most
respondents agreed that incorrect technical information instruction was the
highest factor for the element of good communication failure. Failure to provide
clear or contradictory information, often not communicating the correct
information to the right people and at the time requested is a major factor that can
hamper the process in project completion. Table 2 shows that the lack of
coordination between areas at the site such as structural, architectural, mechanical
and electrical is something that is considered serious and needs to be taken
immediately. In addition, discrepancies in the work drawings always occur in the
construction industry, if there is no good coordination, then problems on site
cannot be solved and this causes delays in project completion, increasing costs
and affecting the quality of the building. Comprehensive involvement between
the main contractor and subcontractors is also important for the coordination and
coordination of work on the construction site. Cluttered and incorrect file and
document arrangement systems can result in unsmooth messaging and
information throughout project implementation. Subsequent factors such as
missing work drawings and arrangement does not align to the main drawing list
(Master List Drawing) can cause problems when instructions from one party do
not reach the other and are difficult to track immediately. Failure to prepare
important documents such as ITP (Inspection and Test Procedure) and Statement
of Working Methods is also the cause of a work failing to run and function
properly because there are no important documents to interpret it at the
construction site. A weak site organizational structure can lead to huge problems
because the staff on site is the backbone in helping for the smooth running of a
project. The main factor agreed by the respondents was no cooperation among the
construction site staff. When such a situation occurs, the work on the construction
site does not run smoothly because the party involved only completes the work
for himself and may also not inform others of the sequence of work or important
technical information. The next factor is the lack of staff to coordinate technical
administration on site as well as the frequency in changing staff. This can make a
job difficult to perform due to the absence of staff to focus on the work. In
addition, the management is seen to have failed to provide the necessary
assistance and information to the staff.
A weak work programs such as short work program changes, short notice
to start work on site, impractical and incomplete work sequences contribute to
factors of deterioration and disruption to the smooth running of the project. All
activities on the construction site must be managed carefully and in detail to
ensure good quality of work, smooth completion of the project and no waste,
safety of workers and an environment that does not occur pollution. The type of
material provided is not suitable as in the specifications and design also
contributes to the occurrence of work delays, increased costs due to having to buy
new materials, and also used will affect the quality of the building. In addition,
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the failure to manage construction materials, equipment and arrangement of waste
materials and the insufficient number of materials provided is also an important
factor that causes the failure of construction site management to function
properly. Respondents also agreed that failure to provide support for safety
equipment & inability to comply with work safety rules and laws will result in
construction site activities not being able to function properly. Activities at the
site also according to the respondents experienced problems when temporary
work support was incomplete or insufficient such as scaffolding, water &
electricity supply and delays in providing support and accurate information to the
concrete plant. In addition, respondents agreed that the site environment is not
well prepared for example no sediment traps, no waste management center and
no cleaning frequency, fresh air supply, no good lighting system are factors that
cause ineffective management practices on construction sites now.
Frequency Analysis
Element AI Classification
1 2 3 4 5
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Low engagement 10 7 25 47 41 3.78 Agree
Failure to manage
8 10 25 49 38 3.76 Agree
project scope
Lack of clear objective 9 12 20 51 38 3.75 Agree
Inadequate skills for
8 9 30 48 35 3.72 Agree
the project
Wrong estimation and
8 10 29 50 33 3.69 Agree
budget
Lack of accountability 8 9 29 53 31 3.69 Agree
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Lack of coordination
between main
contractors and
subcontractors (unable 5 7 21 59 38 3.91 Agree
to coordinate properly
on site works and
documentation)
Late response to site
4 10 30 45 41 3.84 Agree
problems
Solution recommended
not practical / without
4 8 31 50 37 3.83 Agree
referring to spec &
design
Main contractors give
short notice for 4 9 35 42 40 3.81 Agree
commencing site work
Unable to coordinate
properly with skills and 5 6 36 54 29 3.74 Agree
unskilled workers
Poor Documentation
No proper filing &
4 10 29 48 39 3.83 Agree
documentation
Missing drawing,
arrangement drawing
4 10 31 44 41 3.83 Agree
not as per Master List
Drawing
Unable to provide
important
documentation such as
ITP (Inspection and 4 10 28 56 32 3.78 Agree
Test Procedure) &
Work Method
Statement
Late to issue Request
for Information (RFI) 6 8 31 50 35 3.77 Agree
to consultant
Inadequate
documentation and 5 9 34 49 33 3.74 Agree
tracking
Lacking in document
6 13 23 59 29 3.71 Agree
control practices
Did not allow staff to
issue Request for
8 9 28 56 29 3.68 Agree
Information (RFI) to
consultant
Failure to comply ISO
6 10 35 49 30 3.67 Agree
standard systems
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Shows no action / less
efforts to obtain the 4 14 39 44 29 3.62 Agree
standard systems
Weak of Site Organizational Structure
Poor teamwork among
4 7 27 52 40 3.90 Agree
site staff
Insufficient staff to
coordinate the site 5 4 27 60 34 3.88 Agree
work
Insufficient staff to
coordinate the
4 11 27 53 35 3.80 Agree
technical
administration work
Frequent change of
4 4 41 45 36 3.81 Agree
personnel
Unable to provide
necessary assistance
5 8 32 52 33 3.77 Agree
and information to site
staff
Unable to attached
roles & responsibility
staff match with their 4 8 32 57 29 3.76 Agree
experience /
qualification
Unable to provide
necessary guide,
assistance, proper 5 6 36 53 30 3.75 Agree
commands to fresh
graduate
Working Programme
Late change of working
4 10 32 58 26 3.71 Agree
programme
Short notice for
5 14 31 49 31 3.67 Agree
commencing site work
Working sequence not
7 9 37 46 31 3.65 Agree
practical
Working programme
7 12 38 43 30 3.59 Agree
not detail enough
Preparation to Workplace, Safety & Environment Issue
Type of material
provided not 6 8 30 55 31 3.75 Agree
appropriate
Failure to manage
construction materials,
6 9 31 49 35 3.75 Agree
equipment and waste
material arrangement
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Insufficient amount
6 4 34 60 26 3.74 Agree
material provided
Failure to provide
safety supports /
equipment & unable to 7 9 38 39 37 3.69 Agree
obey safety works rules
and regulations
Scaffolding, water &
6 12 30 55 27 3.65 Agree
power supply
Late to provide plant
6 13 31 56 24 3.61 Agree
support
Work place
environment not yet
5 17 31 51 26 3.58 Agree
prepared such as
general site
Inadequate or
insufficient temporary 7 10 37 53 23 3.58 Agree
work support such as
Cleaning, fresh air
6 13 10 46 25 2.85 Neutral
supply, lighting
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the lack of building materials causing delays in project completion. Damage to
structural parts makes the repair work greater and more expensive if the repair
has been done properly in the first place there is no periodic supervision in place.
Among other effects according to the order of the next average index is Building
materials that are not managed properly can cause waste and pollute the
environment. The absence of resources as planned throughout the project period
can also cause delays in project completion. Deferment of payment to the
contractor from the developer due to delay in completion of the project. Poor
quality work causes high levels of accidents and can involve unsafe practices.
When management accepts poor quality work, this practice becomes the norm.
Junior and new employees will assume this bad standard of work is acceptable
and will assume that it is standard practice in the company, and will repeat the
same bad standard elsewhere. The lowest average index is for contractors just as
soon as their last project. Poor quality work on a project can damage the
relationship with the developer.
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attended to properly in
the first place.
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effectiveness of communication. Most project managers are aware that the root
cause of problems is due to weaknesses and lack of good communication.
Instructions should be clear, accurate, complete, error -free, meaningful, and
relevant to the current situation at the time for others to receive them is extremely
important to practice. Effective coordination is important to coordinate, drive and
control the smooth running of a project. The advantage of effective coordination
is that throughout the implementation of the project information can be handled
and channeled well, activities can be well coordinated and run smoothly, reducing
the complexity in management in coordinating complex work. The quality of
construction documentation plays an important role in the achievement and
efficiency of the project. Poor documentation is a major cause of construction
inefficiencies and can lead to delays, job changes and repetition of work. Due to
the importance of documentation and file systems on a construction project, then
the management must learn and master all types of construction documentation
so that the process of documentation management on site runs smoothly.
The management of this organization must be done effectively to show the
arrangement, distribution of power and responsibilities of staff in a construction
site management. The organizational structure is a center for the operation,
coordination, supervision, and control of all activities on the construction site. In
other words, this structure is the backbone to the course of a project that is
expected to run smoothly, optimal administrative costs and no critical problems
encountered during construction. There are several elements that need to be
considered to realize the effectiveness of organizational structure management at
the construction site. Work Program is the planning of daily activities at the
construction site to ensure that the project can be completed within the stipulated
contract period. Work Programs used in monitoring and controlling the progress
of work can be carried out effectively. Construction work shall be based on an
approved Work Program. Monitoring and control of work progress should be
implemented through project tracking facilities and become a problem if the work
program cannot be prepared efficiently and in an orderly manner. Respondents
agreed that the management ensures that the work program provided is accurate,
contains all the information, the required sequence of work of 4.34 average index.
In addition, the respondents agreed that the management needs to update and
conduct regular meetings on the work program with all parties involved to ensure
the work on site runs smoothly. All activities on the construction site must be
managed carefully and in detail is an effective practice for construction site
management. Effective activity management often involves site preparation,
building materials management and health, safety and environmental
management. Effective site management must ensure that all site preparations,
management of building materials and management of health, safety and
environment are emphasized so that all activities on site run smoothly. Most
respondents agreed that ensuring safety control of construction sites, workers,
machinery and building materials in an orderly manner, comprehensive
coordination that covers the management of all aspects such as materials, labor,
plant, and site activities. In addition, an effective safety and environmental
management system and in accordance with the law as directed by authorities
such as DOSH.
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Have a sustainability,
1 5 5
environmental skills and 0 4 4.18 Agree
9 7 0
trade skills
Recruit and maintain
adequate technical and 1 5 5
1 6 4.15 Agree
non-technical resource 5 8 0
skills
Competent in use of
3 4 5
Microsoft Office 0 3 4.12 Agree
0 5 2
software
Understanding of ISO 2 5 5
1 4 4.12 Agree
Standards 4 0 1
Manage the allocation of 2 5 4
0 5 4.12 Agree
scarce resources 1 7 7
Establish clear
2 5 4
accountability for 0 4 4.12 Agree
2 8 6
measured results.
Requiring skills in
phasing of the building
2 5 4
process: development, 1 2 4.11 Agree
6 4 7
production, utilization
and disposal
Define and collect
operational metrics to 2 5 4
0 5 4.09 Agree
support project and 4 5 6
stakeholders
Mastery of technological 2 5 4
1 3 4.06 Agree
changes such as BIM 8 3 5
High level skills in
marketing, technical 2 4 4
0 7 4.04 Agree
sales, influencing and 9 6 8
negotiating
Greater focus on a 2 5 4
2 4 4.04 Agree
knowledge economy 4 7 3
Knowledge of CAD and 3 5 4
0 2 4.04 Agree
automated tools 3 3 2
Strong understanding of 3 5 4
1 2 4.03 Agree
financial outcomes 1 4 2
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CONCLUSION
The first objective was to identify essential factors leading to poor site
management practices. Based on the analysis, it shows that all 7 section causes
leading to poor site management practises are agreed for correspondence. The
first section shown that the characteristic of site manager is important to make
sure the site work progress, process and sequence smoothly. It will prove site
manager need to show trust and ability to staff, provide clear commands,
communicate properly, and have full of knowledge and experience to manage site
and project team. Besides that, site manager needs to have strong communications
skills and have to provide correct technical information to staff to avoid repetition
work happen. In addition, coordination among related parties is important so that
site work sequence and process running smoothly. In order to achieve and
implement the physical works as design, the important documentation need to
control and distribute accordingly. Another factor like weak organizational
structure, unable to provide working programme earlier and failure to preparation
to workplace will contribute high-rate accident and environmental issue.
The second objective was to assess the impact of ineffective site
management practices towards projects performance. According to the study
conduct, the respondents agreed that ineffective site managements practises are
the factors leading poor project performance which are late completing project,
increase the construction cost and poor quality on the building. Besides that, it’s
can cause high rate of safety and environment issue also impacted to reputation
of company.
The final objective proposes the best site management practices. From
the finding, the respondents are strongly agreed that strong communication and
leadership skill, including the ability to liaise with all levels of staff, strong
decision making, provide the project team members the tools and techniques the
need to produce consistently successful projects, manage and motivate people so
that project efforts will experience a zone of optimal performance throughout its
life among best management practices factor to implement in future. Besides that,
the respondents also agreed that site management need to have a high standard on
new methodology construction standards and tools.
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