College of Environment DesignCollege of Environment DesignConstruction Engineering TechnologyConstruction Engineering Technology

Assessment of Constructability Practice Among General Contractors in The Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

By Fawzi Al-Yousif, 2002

Presented by:

Abdulaziz Al-Abdulaziz Al-ZahraniZahrani

• Introduction• Constructability

– Definition & concept – Why Constructability is needed

• Research Methodology – Research Objectives – Research Process

• Barriers• The Questionnaire • Conclusions & Recommendations

OUTLINEOUTLINE

• Construction in KSA and the 1970s revolution• Growth and human lives & financial loss• Constructability or buildability awareness

– Overall project plan– Designing– Cost estimates – Construction method – Scheduling

IntroductionIntroduction

“ Optimum integration of construction knowledge and experience in planning, engineering, procurement, and field operations to achieve overall project objectives” CII 1986

DefinitionDefinition

In the past, the so called ”master builder professional” used to manage all the knowledge required to plan, design, and construct a project. It’s not possible to do the same now days due to complexity, variety of material, regulation, standards, and codes.

“each area needs a professional to be specialized”each area needs a professional to be specialized”

The Need for ConstructabilityThe Need for Constructability

• Objectives– Determine current implementation practices in East KSA– Assess the existence of common barriers to

constructability implementation

• Research Process– Literature review Research method plan ــ – Implementation of plan ــ Data Mgt & Analysis

Research MethodologyResearch Methodology

• Literature review: Understanding the term “constructability” is required before conducting the research, and this requires a review of major literature associated with the field, in other word, to become more familiar with the subject by studying and closely observing the previous studies conducted in this field.

• Research Plan: After the review of literature, detailed plan of the research method was drafted, and it was decided to use a survey for collecting the required data.

“Constructability has almost the same fundamentals as VEConstructability has almost the same fundamentals as VE”

Design

Contracting

TimeTime

High

Low

Ability to Ability to influence influence costcost

Construction

O&M

Research continueResearch continue

• Implementation of plan: During this time the questionnaire was designed, sent to many personnel for participation, and feedback was received from participants

• Data Management and analysis: The final stage, as the heading signifies, involves managing of received data, studying and analyzing various related issue.

“ Constructability Job Plan has to lead the process of the research”Constructability Job Plan has to lead the process of the research”

Research continueResearch continue

• Most significant barriers:– Design without construction input is the traditional of

contracting

– Owners do not care about constructability in contracting strategy

– Owners do not choose constructability in their projects.

• Least mentioned barrier:– There are no proven benefits of constructability

BarriersBarriers

BarriersBarriers

• The quoted “modified”questionnaire has helped the researcher to avoid face to face interview with participants , not to mention it helped to avoid, Fixing meetings,Traveling long distance, Participants disturbance and rejection…. Atc.

• Questionnaires circulated to General Contractors 92 “only 42 replied”

• Questionnaire 3 main Divisions To obtain:A. Information and characteristics of the organization

B. Constructability definition and awareness for assessment

C. Constructability implementation Evaluation

QuestionnaireQuestionnaire

Constructability definition and awareness for assessment

Implementation of Constructability evaluation

ConclusionConclusion• The term “constructability” is very well known to the

general contractors in this part of Saudi Arabia.• Saudi Aramco has participated in this level of awareness

as they request the constructability as qualification process.

• General contractors are commonly participating during the pre-construction phase of the project by inserting their construction knowledge

Conclusion & Recommendation Continue

• Most of the general contractors think that constructability should be implemented in all projects regardless of the project size, type or complexity.

• Specifications problem & unrealistic schedules are most significant difficulties encountered by the general contractors under the traditional method of contracting.

Conclusion & Recommendation Continue

Recommendations:Recommendations:• General Contractor should practice constructability and

educated their clients• General contractor, owner, and designer should form an

association of constructability• As part of promoting constructability programs, owners

should insist on involving to general contractor in the project different phases

Conclusion & Recommendation Continue

• Constructability should be implemented in all projects regardless of their size or complexity

• Constructability should be included as another specialty during the pre-construction phase.

• Construction engineering and construction management colleges need to add constructability to their curriculum.

Conclusion & Recommendation Continue

Any Question

Thank you!