Poor productivity of construction workers is one of the causes of cost and time overruns in construction projects. The productivity of labour is particularly important especially in developing countries, where most of the building construction work is still on manual basis. This paper reports on a survey made on project managers of building projects in Uganda, where an increase in productivity is being sought. Respondents were required to rate using their experience how 36 factors affect productivity with respect to time, cost and quality. The survey was carried out by a questionnaire and responses received over a period of 3 months. The ten most significant problems affecting labour productivity were identified as incompetent supervisors; lack of skills from the workers; rework; lack of tools/equipment; poor construction methods; poor communication; inaccurate drawings; stoppages because of work being rejected by consultants; political insecurity; tools/equipment breakdown; and harsh weather conditions. Although lack of materials is ranked highest with regard to average rating on loss of time, it was not ranked among the top ten using the importance index that takes into account time, cost as well as work quality. The policy makers and researchers should focus on the identified major factors in order to improve productivity.
Over the years researchers have paid little attention to the performance of the clients in the building industry. Much of the research on improvement of performance of the construction industry has mainly focused on contractors and the supply chain. The performance of a client is important because any decision made will affect project success. Failure on the part of the client might lead to stress factors causing significant problems in successive stages of the project. This research is an investigation into the roles of the client to find out whether clients in the building industry in Uganda are playing their part. Due to the non‐specific nature of clients, a guided questionnaire survey was carried out among architects who normally work with different types of clients. The majority of the building clients in Uganda are individuals followed by limited liability companies. It was found out that delay by clients in paying the contractors is a major factor affecting the performance of contractors. Almost all clients do not support training of the workers in its different forms. Construction works start before the designs are completed and the majority of the variations is due to incomplete briefs and designs. Many clients or their representatives do not attend meetings as regularly as would have been necessary. This study reveals information that will help clients in their future projects for ensuring successful building project implementation. Santrauka Daug metų mokslininkai mažai kreipė dėmesio į užsakovų dalyvavimą statybos pramonėje. Dauguma atliktų mokslinių tyrimų, susijusių su statybos pramonės darbų kokybės gerinimu, yra orientuoti į rangovus ir tiekimo grandinę. Užsakovo dalyvavimas yra svarbus todėl, kad kiekvienas priimtas sprendimas gali daryti įtaką projekto sėkmei. Užsakovų žlugimas gali sudaryti įtampą, kuri gali kliudyti sėkmingai vykdyti projekto stadijas. Straipsnyje buvo nagrinėjamas užsakovų vaidmuo, norint nustatyti, ar užsakovai Ugandoje aktyviai dalyvauja statybos pramonėje. Buvo atlikta apklausa architektų, kurie dirba su įvairiais užsakovais. Dauguma statybos užsakovų Ugandoje yra ribotos atsakomybės įmonės. Taip pat buvo pastebėta, kad užsakovo delsimas sumokėti rangovams yra vienas iš svarbiausių veiksnių, darančių įtaką rangovų darbui. Beveik visi užsakovai nepritaria darbuotojų kvalifikacijos tobulinimui įvairiais būdais. Dažniausiai statybos darbai yra pradedami dar nebaigus projektavimo darbų ir dauguma nukrypimų yra dėl neparengtos techninės dokumentacijos. Dauguma užsakovų ar jų atstovų nereguliariai dalyvauja svarbiuose susitikimuose. Šis tyrimas pateikia informaciją, kuri padės užsakovams ateities projektuose ir užtikrins sėkmingą statybos projektų vykdymą.
Purpose -The purpose of this paper was to assess the magnitude of the impact of construction-related rework on selected project budgets and schedule in public building construction in Uganda. The magnitude of construction-related rework was the mean determined over construction contracts under a selected project and expressed as a percentage of the construction contract sum. Design/methodology/approach -A single case multi-unit study approach was adopted. A case study protocol was prepared that included a checklist, observation schedules and an interview guide. The three instruments were used to collect data from building contractors and end-users (the teaching staff and medical assistants). Representatives of the client entity and the end-users provided sufficient project documentation and related supplementary information for the study. Findings -Construction-related rework was predominantly attributable to design information omissions, unacceptable workmanship and inadequate supervision of the contractor. Lightning conductor, electrical and roofing installations were the building elements that had the highest frequency of rework. It was further determined that the mean percentage of rework related impact on project budget and schedule was approximately 4.53 and 8.42 per cent, respectively. Originality/value -The findings inform policy makers about likely areas that contribute to significant wastage and value loss in quality management of public sector projects. The research advocates for improved data collection protocols, integration of adequate design management and a whole life value philosophy during the public building construction process.
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