Identification and Prioritization of CSFS and Perception of the Stake Holders for Fast Track Construction Projects in Pakistan

Abstract

Construction industry is characterized by its unpredictability in terms of time and cost. Worldwide 85% of the projects suffer time overrun resulting in cost increase. Project management being a neglected aspect in Pakistan results in project time overrun. Many scheduling techniques are employed to regain the lost schedule, fast tracking is one such technique. Fast tracking is overlapping the project activities in order to reduce project duration with increased activity and project cost. Globally fast tracking has seen ages of practical implementation since 1960s. However being a newer trend in Pakistan, it is yet to witness maturity. Fast track projects opt for time and quality over cost and in fast track projects we accept the tradeoff between the high cost of buying time while maintaining quality. The main idea behind fast tracking is to overlap the activities which otherwise are executed in sequence. Particularly the emphasis is kept on overlapping design and the construction activities. After an extensive literature review a preliminary questionnaire containing 93 success factors was used for the pilot survey. After the pilot survey full scale survey questionnaire was prepared containing 45 success factors. The questionnaires were sent to a sample size of 63 comprising of the contractors, consultants and the construction clients. The data collected was analyzed using PASW-18 and MS Excel. After conducting the statistical tests the success factors were ranked in order of importance using RII and mean values. Keeping the mean value as the yard stick, success factors with mean value of 4 and above were identified and prioritized as the CSFs (Critical Success Factors). Similarly the stakeholder’s perception on the CSFs was also evaluated. At the end conclusions and recommendations were formulated. Keeping in view the research parameters, the research’s contribution is twofold, one to the local CI (Construction Industry) and other to R&D (Research and Development) community.

Keywords: Fast Tracking, Construction Industry, Critical Success Factors, Stakeholder’s Perception