THESIS ABSTRACT

Abstract

Project complexity in construction industry is a global phenomenon along with the construction industry in Nepal. It is a multifaceted concept that encompasses various causes and effects on the project's successfully completion. These causes of project complexity directly affects the project's cost, schedule, stakeholder satisfaction, and overall success. Here are some key factors contributing to project complexity in building construction project The aim of this research is to identify the causes, effects and possible preventive measures to manage of the project complexity in building construction projects in Kathmandu valley. The data used in this study is primary data with a quantitative design method. A case study of 12 building construction projects were used for this aim. The objectives of the study were achieved through three approaches, the first one was a literature review about major causes and effects of project complexity, ranking the those causes and effects with primary data analysis, and suggest the preventive measures for the causes of the project complexity to similar building construction projects. Total of 135 questionnaires were distributed through hardcopy and google forms via email and among them 106 (79%) questionnaires were received. The major causes of complexity in building construction projects were divided into seven type of causes; (1) Technological complexity, (2) Organizational complexity, (3) Environmental complexity, (4) Infrastructure complexity, (5) Sociopolitical complexity, (6) Scope complexity, and (7) Information complexity. Among them Technological complexity is most significant major causes. After that, “Organization complexity” and “Environmental complexity” were the second and third major complexity and following order as number given. In the phase of building construction, most significant major complexity is in “Construction phase”. After that “Pre-construction phase”, “Planing and Designing phase” and “Post- construction phase were the second, third and fourth major complexity. In the building sectors, most major complexity in Hotel construction and subsequently in Hospital construction and Public building construction projects. The possible effects of project complexity in building construction projects were listed out as (1) Delay, (2) Increased cost, (3) Stakeholder dissatisfaction, (4) Demanding higher level of resources, (5) Challenging in the project management, (6) Effective decision-making VII becomes major, (7) Influence the quality and performance outcomes, (8) Effective safety compliances becomes major, (9) Increased risk, (10) Effective communication and collaboration become crucial. In this study the topmost important effects of project complexity among the ten (10) possible effects were identified as “Delay” and followed by “Cost overrun” and “Stakeholder dissatisfaction”. The “Effective communication and collaboration become crucial” to be the least contributing effect for building construction projects in Kathmandu valley. This research describe the preventive measures to manage the project complexity in sequential construction phase. Even most major complexity falls in construction phase, there have be to focus from the initial phase and focus on the construction phase to minimize the complexity. The preventive measures to manage on Planning and designing phase are Clear Project Definition, Proper data/ information collection, effective use of Information and Communications Technology, Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration, Integrated Design Process. The preventive measures to manage on Pre-construction process are clear qualification criteria of contractor, integrated sustainability in design and lean construction. The preventive measures to manage on the construction phase; Identify skill gap, provide training, Impact assessment on design change and clear change process, early policy analysis. The preventive measures to manage on the Post-construction phase are Develop comprehensive user’s manual and guidance, Collaboration with Authorities for compliances, conduct thoroughly Inspection and Defect Tracking System for warranty and defect management. The technological complexity was most major cause in the three secotrs of building construction projects and its preventive measures are detail study on the technology, identify potential risks and challenges, and make sure it is compatible with existing systems and start with a small project or pilot program. Training has to be given to the workers who will be using the technology to operate safely and efficiently. This research study recommended to all construction professionals to work by incorporating all the major factors i.e. causes and effects of complexity in building construction projects and to manage possible preventive measures to manage the project complexity in every phase of building construction.

Keywords

complexity, building construction projects, Kathmandu valley, causes & effects