Technical Papers
Jul 24, 2020

Analyzing the Quality Problems and Defects of Design Deliverables on Building Projects

Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 26, Issue 4

Abstract

Since poor design deliverables can generate significant project cost overruns and schedule delays, producing high-quality design deliverables is critical. To improve design quality on building projects, this study focuses on identifying quality-problematic design deliverables and their associated design defects. The authors surveyed 51 industry professionals, asking them to assess the frequency of quality problems on 84 common building design deliverables. From this survey, 14 design deliverables were identified as problematic. Then, the survey results were analyzed in two different ways: according to the area of expertise of the respondents and organization type. The results showed significant differences between the two groups in each case in assessing the frequency of the 14 problematic design deliverables. In addition, the authors identified a total of 47 high-priority design defects associated with the problematic design deliverables through conducting phone interviews with 66 professionals. The results of these research activities offer comprehensive insight into design deliverable quality problems to enable practitioners to enhance overall design quality on building projects.

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Acknowledgments

This research was sponsored by the Construction Industry Institute (CII). The authors would like to express gratitude and appreciation to the industry panels, survey participants, interviewees, and support staff at CII for their participation in the research effort.

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Go to Journal of Architectural Engineering
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 26Issue 4December 2020

History

Received: Aug 22, 2019
Accepted: May 29, 2020
Published online: Jul 24, 2020
Published in print: Dec 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Dec 24, 2020

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Authors

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James T. O’Connor, Ph.D., M.ASCE [email protected]
P.E.
C.T. Wells Professor of Project Management, Dept. of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Texas at Austin, 301 E. Dean Keeton St., Austin, TX 78712. Email: [email protected]
Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Texas at Austin, 301 E. Dean Keeton St., Austin, TX 78712 (corresponding author). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1178-8609. Email: [email protected]

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