Abstract:
Several small-scale construction projects are being implemented around the country
being a part of development process in Sri Lanka. Most of the Quantity Surveying related
areas has become major problem making subjects in those projects and there is lack of
involvement of the Quantity Surveyors in those projects when comparing with other
professionals in the industry. This research was conducted to highlight the importance
of involvement of Quantity Surveyors for success of such projects in Sri Lankan
construction industry. Mixed-method approach was used in this research. Most
important Quantity Surveying roles that directly impact for the success of small-scale
construction projects were determined and categorized under the different stages of
construction projects by using semi-structured interviews and questionnaire survey as
primary data collection methods. These data were analyzed by using Correlation
analysis and Relative Importance Index (RII) analysis as statistical analysis methods.
Identified Quantity Surveying roles were ranked based on the impact on the success of
those small-scale projects using RII values. Further Correlation analysis was performed
to show the relationship between Quantity Surveyor’s involvement and success of smallscale
construction projects. Barriers for satisfactory involvement of Quantity Surveyors
in small-scale construction projects and strategies to increase the involvement of
Quantity Surveyors were identified by analyzing data from semi-structured interviews
using manual content analysis. Among those barriers most of the interviewees stated that
obtaining the service from non-professionals at lower cost was the major barrier and
introducing service packages to the client in early stages of project was considered as
the main strategy to increase the Quantity Surveyor’s involvement to small-scale
construction projects. However, the research was concluded that the involvement of
client and contractor Quantity Surveyors to the pre-construction and post-construction
phases are critical to the success of small-scale construction projects in Sri Lanka.
