TECHNICAL PAPERS
Dec 1, 2001

Building Project Scope Definition Using Project Definition Rating Index

Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 7, Issue 4

Abstract

Poor scope definition is recognized by industry practitioners as one of the leading causes of project failure, adversely affecting projects in the areas of cost, schedule, and operational characteristics. Unfortunately, many owner and contractor organizations do a poor job of adequately defining a project's scope leading to a poor design basis. A research team constituted by the Construction Industry Institute (CII) has developed the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) to address scope definition in the building sector. The PDRI for buildings is a comprehensive, weighted checklist of 64 scope definition elements presented in a score sheet format. It provides a tool for an individual or project team to objectively evaluate the status of a building project during preproject planning. This paper will discuss the PDRI development process, including input from over 100 industry professionals. Key project scope definition elements will be identified. The PDRI validation procedure, involving over 50 projects, will be discussed. A description of the potential uses of the PDRI and a summary of its benefits to the building construction industry will be outlined.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

References

1.
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). ( 2000). Quality in the constructed project—a guide for owners, designers, and constructors, 2nd Ed., Reston, Va.
2.
Billings, K. ( 1993). Master planning for architecture, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York.
3.
Cherry, E. ( 1999). Programming for design: from theory to practice, Wiley, New York.
4.
Cho, C. S., Furman, J. C., and Gibson, G. E. ( 1999). “Development of the project definition rating index (PDRI) for building projects.” Res. Rep. 155-11 Prepared for Construction Industry Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Tex.
5.
Cho, C. S. ( 2000). “Development of the project definition rating index (PDRI) for building projects.” PhD thesis, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Tex.
6.
Cho, C. S., and Gibson, G. E., Jr. ( 2000). “Development of a project definition rating index (PDRI) for general building projects.” Proc., Constr. Congr. VI, ASCE, Reston, Va., 343–352.
7.
Construction Industry Institute (CII). ( 1995). “Pre-project planning handbook.” Special Publ. 39-2, Austin, Tex.
8.
Construction Industry Institute (CII). ( 1999). “Project definition rating index (PDRI), building projects.” Implementation Resour. 155-2, Austin, Tex.
9.
Dumont, P. R., Gibson, G. E., and Fish, J. R. (1997). “Scope management using project definition rating index.”J. Mgmt. Engrg., ASCE, 13(5), 54–60.
10.
Gibson, G. E., and Dumont, P. R. ( 1996). “Project definition rating index (PDRI).” Res. Rep. 113-11 Prepared for Construction Industry Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Tex.
11.
Gibson, G. E., and Hamilton, M. R. ( 1994). “Analysis of pre-project planning effort and success variables for capital facility projects.” Rep. Prepared for Construction Industry Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Tex.
12.
Gibson, G. E., Liao, S., Broaddus, J. A., and Bruns, T. A. ( 1997). “The University of Texas System capital project performance, 1990–1995.” OFPC Paper 97-1, University of Texas System, Austin, Tex.
13.
Griffin, C. W. ( 1972). Development building: the team approach, Wiley, New York.
14.
Griffith, A. F., Gibson, G. E., Hamilton, M. R., Tortora, A. L., and Wilson, C. T. (1999). “Project success index for capital facility construction projects.”J. Perf. Constr. Fac., ASCE, 13(1), 39–45.
15.
Haviland, D., ed. ( 1996). The architect's handbook of professional practice. Volume 2: The project, American Institute of Architects, Washington, D.C.
16.
O'Reilly, A. ( 1997). “Project definition rating index for buildings.” MS thesis, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Tex.
17.
Pena, W. ( 1987). Problem seeking: an architectural programming primer, 3rd Ed., AIA Press, Washington, D.C.
18.
Preiser, W. F. E. ( 1993). Professional practice in facility programming, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York.
19.
Project Management Institute (PMI). ( 1996). A guide to the project management body of knowledge, Upper Darby, Pa.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Architectural Engineering
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 7Issue 4December 2001
Pages: 115 - 125

History

Received: Jan 9, 2001
Published online: Dec 1, 2001
Published in print: Dec 2001

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Members, ASCE
Project Engr., ADP Marshall, 75 Newman Ave., Rumford, RI 02916.
Assoc. Prof. and Fluor Centennial Teaching Fellow, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX 78712. E-mail: [email protected]. edu

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share