Construction industry is a leading contributor to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the country. However, it heavily consumes resources. Hence, it is vital to utilise resources efficiently and effectively. In this context, ensuring sustainability and value for money are crucial constructs in successful construction project delivery. Value management (VM) is widely accepted as a proactive concept for managing value. Although, VM concept is extensively accepted internationally, its applications do not seem to be well embraced in the construction sector of the majority of developing countries including Sri Lanka. The concept has not been practiced effectively by the industry practitioners due to lack of understanding of VM concept. Hence, this study aims to investigate the theory-practice gap in VM in Sri Lankan construction industry. A literature review followed by seven case studies were carried out and gathered data were analysed using code-based content analysis. Findings revealed that there is a theory-practice gap in VM resulting in ad-hoc informal implementation of VM job plan. Although theory states that VM can apply at any stage of a project, the case study projects have applied VM concept mainly during post contract stage as a cost cutting strategy. The study recommended strategies to bridge the VM theory-practice gap in order to deliver best value for client’s money and ultimately achieve sustainability in Sri Lankan construction industry.
Construction process is one of the most complex and dynamic procedures. Therefore, it is vital to use resources efficiently and effectively. Considering this requirement of any construction project, creating value for money is becoming important. It contributes to the economic, social and environmental aspects of a country. The concept of value is based on the relationship between satisfying needs, expectations and the resources required to achieve them. Value Management (VM) is recognised as a suitable approach to ensure value for money in construction projects. Although, VM concept is significantly used in developed countries, its applications do not seem to be well established in the construction industry in most of the developing countries including Sri Lanka. This is mainly due to lack of understanding of VM concept. Hence, this study aims to investigate how to bridge the theory-practice gap in VM in Sri Lankan construction industry, through seven case studies. Case study data collection was based on interviews, document review and observations and analysed using content analysis. The research findings revealed that these projects employed different kinds of VM methodologies derived from standard VM methodologies with the focus of various VM objectives. The study further identified number of reasons for theory-practice gap in VM such as lack of a formal guideline and less knowledge on VM, which dilute successful VM implementation. The experts further proposed train in-house VM facilitators, proper project planning, motivate investors, train Sri Lankan professionals by foreign experts and govern VM knowledge sharing as strategies to bridge the gap in order to deliver best value for client's money.
The degree of social responsibility of professionals towards public projects are naturally high. Recently, in Sri Lankan context, expressway construction is becoming one of the major public project types. Due to that, the responsibility of professionals towards a successful expressway construction seems very high. Among professionals, Quantity Surveyor (QS) is a significant team member in any kind of construction project in terms of managing cost and time aspects. Being highly technical and complex, expressway QSs essentially need a significant level of construction technology knowledge to perform the duties and responsibilities. Therefore, the research was focused on investigating the significance of expressway construction technology knowledge for QS practitioners. The scope of the research was narrowed down to Sri Lankan expressway projects. A comprehensive literature review was carried out to identify the duties and responsibilities of QSs in expressway project stages. The research methodology was mixed approached comprising a questionnaire survey and s expert interviews round. Quantitative data analysis was carried out using RII method and qualitative data subjected to content analysis. The research concludes feasibility stage as the most technical knowledge sensitive stage of an expressway construction project with respect to the QS's role. Further, QSs with less experience make projects vulnerable for more cost and time issues due to lack of technical knowledge and such scenarios may add black marks to the role of the QS in big picture, therefore it is essential for the QSs to keep updated with the changing construction technologies.
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