The effectiveness of construction project management services towards clients' objectives in the building industry

Title of treatise : The Effectiveness of Construction Project Management Service Towards Client’s Objectives Name of author : Liteboho Evelyn Nkhabu Name of study leader : Mr Cruywagen Institution : Department of Construction Economics Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology University of Pretoria Date: October 2010 The major objectives of a construction project management are still time, cost and quality but the management processes and procedures are different because of today’s economy and technology. With that, the construction industry is keeping up with times by improving construction project services, to make everyone’s life easier and improve the procurement systems in such a way that it suites; client’s objective, construction constraints and the shortfall of old systems. Most people have raised compliant about the new modern procurement systems. The most criticism of these being that, projects are failing even before the implementation of the current construction procurement systems, so, why waste resources by absorbing these kind of systems in projects which seem to be expensive and worsening the current situation of delays and cost overruns. Because of these issues that are raised, all the emerging procurement systems are notoriously known as money making schemes that are digging deep in client’s pockets. With this being the case, the research proposes to research on whether construction project management as a modern procurement system is working towards achieving the client’s objectives, if not what are the issues refraining it from achieving these objectives and how can it be addressed. Based on the question in mind the following hypotheses were raised:  Construction Project Management is the most preferred procurement method in today’s construction, therefore it is a better system than the traditional systems.  If corporate businesses are increasing profitability though risk management techniques, risk management should be an improvement of client’s objectives in the construction industry.  Construction Project Management is an improvement of the traditional system, meaning it does address traditional management seatbacks.  There should be a linkage because the techniques and strategies of management for effective mitigation. The hypothesis was answered through literature reviews and empirical surveys. The literature review was mostly from construction project management books and journals. Interviews were conducted but did not contribute much to the bigger picture. The empirical survey contributed a lot to most unanswered questions and overall the respond was positive on the success of construction project management and on its achievement of the client’s objectives. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank the following people for their involvement and assistance in the preparation of this treatise: 1. My supervisor, Mr Cruywagen, who provided me with valuable guidance during the preparation of this treatise. 2. My family (Nkhabu family) and friends for their support and understanding 3. My supervisor from work, Mr Tsita, for granting me time to complete the treatise. 4. The participants in the survey, for all valuable information input that made this treatise a success.