Abstract:
Success of a building project is conventionally judged in terms of, completion within the
scheduled time, completion within the budget, and fully complying to the clients’
satisfaction with minimum subsequent modifications and reworks. Several researchers
worldwide have highlighted the contribution of the building design phase for achieving the
success of a building project.
Irrespective of this awareness, instances are not rare to find, where clients are facing various
difficulties in completing/operating their buildings. Research and many case studies from
the industry have provided evidences for cost overruns, delay in completion, mismatch
between the delivered product and the clients’ expectations, and high cost and time
expenditure on variations and modifications in building projects.
Literature review also indicates the comparatively low attention given by previous
researchers for stakeholder management during design phase within design management as
well as in overall project management.
The objective of this research study is to develop an understanding on significance of timely
participation of design phase stakeholders and effective coordination amongst them during
the design phase of a building project for better achieving the project objectives. This broad
objective was studied under four sub-objectives, in addition to the two hypothesis framed
for testing.
The study utilized an expert opinion survey conducted among the experts of building
industry. Data collected through the survey were analysed using both descriptive and
statistical analysis techniques.
The findings of the survey validated the two research hypothesis. In addition, this study
proposes two novel concepts.
a) Division of Design Phase, based on the particular deliverables, for managing the
involvement of stakeholders.
b) ‘Design Teams Diagram’ which is a Process Diagram, proposed as a tool for
managing the involvement of design phase stakeholders.
Based on the findings it is recommended to form and maintain dedicated design teams from
the beginning of design phase to the completion of a building project.
