Divergence or Congruence? A Path Model of Rework for Building and Civil Engineering Projects
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 23, Issue 6
Abstract
Rework has been identified as a major contributor to cost and schedule overrun in construction projects. Previous studies that have examined rework are based on a limited data sets and thus eschew generalizations being made about the key determinants. Using data from 260 completed building and civil engineering projects, path analysis is used to develop a structural model of the most significant causes of rework. The model revealed that the paths of client-directed changes, site management and subcontractors, and project communication were statistically significant contributors to rework costs. The analysis confirmed that the lack of attention to quality management resulted in higher rework costs being incurred in the projects sampled. The analysis also revealed that there were no significant differences between building and civil engineering projects in terms of the direct and indirect cost of rework experienced, and the effectiveness of the project management practices implemented. Considering the findings, it is suggested that generic strategies for reducing the incidence rework in construction and civil engineering projects can be developed.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the Australian Research Council (Grant No. UNSPECIFIEDDP-0453258).
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© 2009 ASCE.
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Received: Nov 14, 2008
Accepted: Apr 30, 2009
Published online: May 4, 2009
Published in print: Dec 2009
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