Showing papers by "Albert P.C. Chan published in 2003"

An empirical study of the benefits of construction partnering in Hong Kong

Abstract: Many construction companies have adopted partnering in their construction projects over the past 10–15 years due to favourable project outcomes achieved. Its use in construction projects has been increasing rapidly as its benefits become more apparent and pervasive. This paper reviews the partnering literature within the construction field and tries to portray the comprehensive picture of benefits for the partnering practice. Through partnering and the active involvement of all key project parties, the project is more likely to be completed within budget, on time, and with the least number of conflicts, claims and work defects. Also, this paper reports upon the findings of a questionnaire survey of partnering benefits in Hong Kong. Seventy‐eight project participants completed a questionnaire to indicate the relative importance of partnering benefits. The perceived benefits were measured and ranked from the perspectives of the client, contractor and consultant for cross‐comparison. The results revealed tha...

Partnering in construction: Critical study of problems for implementation

Abstract: Over the years, the implementation of a construction project from planning to completion is full of potential claims and intractable disputes. As an innovative procurement method in the constructio...

A Benchmark Model for Construction Duration in Public Housing Developments

Abstract: Construction time has been perceived to be one of the most essential performance indicators among numerous successful projects. Considerable effort has been dedicated to the issue of how to benchmark best practice measures of construction time performance (CTP) for use in the construction industry. An industry-wide survey was launched to identify a set of critical factors affecting construction durations of high-rise public housing projects in Hong Kong. Data was derived from a representative sample of 56 standard ‘Harmony’ type residential blocks via mailed standard questionnaires. A multiple regression technique was applied to data analysis and model development. The results indicated that a benchmark model for predicting the durations of various primary work packages could be generated based on a group of significant variables identified. The testing and validity of the developed model was conducted using further project data obtained from the client organisation and confirmed significant. The model usefulness to future public housing developments was also highlighted. The regression model serves as an essential tool for benchmarking an optimum time estimate for delivery of a public housing project. A comprehensive study is currently being undertaken for private sector housing blocks in Hong Kong by adopting similar research methodology, for national and international comparisons.

Modelling Labour Demand at Project Level — An Empirical Study in Hong Kong

Abstract: The construction industry plays a significant role to the economy of Hong Kong not only in terms of output but also the employment. The sector, however, has been severely hit by the economic downturn in recent years resulting in serious unemployment. Employment planning becomes one of the critical aspects for the recovery of the economy. The main objective of this paper is to establish a labour demand model for the Hong Kong construction industry. The unique characteristics and the current conditions of the construction labour market are reviewed. Regression analysis based on 123 construction projects was used to compute the relationship between expenditure and site workers employed. The best predictor of average labour demand of construction projects in Hong Kong is found to be DL = 463 C 0.934, where DL is the actual labour demand in man‐days, C is the final cost of contract in millions. The labour demand‐cost relationship can be applied as a manpower forecasting model to estimate the total labour required for a given type of project. The developed model enables a more reliable and accurate planning of manpower requirements in the construction industry.

Perceptions on the Application of Design-Build Procurement System in Hong Kong

Abstract: The traditional design-bid-build procurement method has long been adopted in the construction industry for decades, but the result of adversarial relationships among project team members lowers the chance of project success. The aim to better guarantee the successful delivery of construction projects has instigated the development of a variety of alternative project procurement systems, among which Design-Build (D&B) has been progressively used worldwide including Hong Kong. This paper explores the perceptions of construction practitioners on the application of Design-Build procurement system in Hong Kong through twenty-three detailed structured interviews. It was discovered that some local project participants are confused with the definition of public sector because of the ‘Public-Private’ hybrids. The D&B participants also showed concerns on the influence of the client on design and construction matters under the architect-led design-build. A comprehensive review of the various forms of D&B and the pra...

Managing health care projects in Hong Kong : a case study of the North District hospital

Abstract: The difficulties of coordinating end-user requirements and minimising subsequent changes, with the consequent delays and unforeseen extra costs, have been a feature of hospital procurement. Several successful cases to procure hospitals more quickly and less expensively by using alternative procurement systems are employed in U.K. This paper examines the characteristics and difficulties in running health care projects. By way of a detailed case study, the latest state-of-the-art approach, such as adopting the enhanced design and build system, well-defined project management system, partnering and value management, in managing a health care project in Hong Kong is presented and analysed. It also compares and contrasts the distinctive features of the enhanced design and build system and the pure design and build system.

A value driven procurement decision tool

Abstract: The Co-operative Research Centre for Construction Innovation (CRC-CI) is funding a project known as Value Alignment Process for Project Delivery. The project consists of a study of best practice project delivery and the development of a suite of products, resources and services to guide project teams towards the best procurement approach for a specific project or group of projects. This paper describes the development of a Decision Support Tool (DST) to assist clients in making procurement decisions based on the alignment of values and objectives as the drivers of project success. The DST will guide clients and project teams towards more effective and efficient delivery methods. It is designed to become progressively more robust through a continuous feedback loop, building on existing knowledge of successful actions which represent best practice. The usefulness of the tool to clients and their advisors will be apparent both at the ‘front end’ pre-procurement phase, and throughout the procurement phases of construction projects. The project profiling approach taken in this tool looks at projects as patterns of a series of dimensions: project size, complexity, predictability and objectives.