Constraints of design and build system in different phases of building projects in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Constraints of design and build system in different phases of building projects in Sri Lanka Design and build has become the most popular method of procuring construction work and it gives more benefits and confidence to clients. Most researchers around the world have found that the design and build procurement method have more advantages than other procurement methods. In Sri Lanka design and build procurement method has not widely using as expected. So it is important to find out the challenges or drawbacks of the design and build systems. This study investigates the constraints which are associated with the design and build specially in tender preparation and evaluation phase, design phase and construction phase. It then proposes recommendations on how the method can be improved in order to increase its use in Sri Lanka. Survey data was collected from 54 respondents from the construction industry, including contractors, engineers, quantity surveyors, project owners, project managers, construction managers and architects in order to give a more balanced view of the problems. Questionnaires were the only method used to collect data from the respondents. Descriptive statistical analyses, hypothesis testing; using the Pearson correlation and outputs for regression analysis were conducted under the statistical analysis. It is found that all three phases of building projects have numerous constraints when design and build system is used in building projects in Sri Lanka. Most of the impediments occurred due to inadequate knowledge of project owners, lack of manpower to help clients with technical issues and additionally there is insufficient knowledge to evaluate tenders. At the end of this research recommendation given on how to maximize the use of design and build procurement system in Sri Lanka building projects and detailed client’s request for proposal was the most emphasized recommendation from respondent’s results.