Construction Resources Management System for Gaza Strip Building Contractors

Abstract

Effective construction resources management process is a key to success of a construction project. Nowadays, successful management of construction resources has to be based on thorough and updated information, and processed utilizing a well designed construction resources management software. (1)

The aim of the study has been to explore the local practice in construction resources management and develop a construction resources management system to facilitate the management of construction resources mainly in the building construction. Construction resources management related literature has been generally reviewed; meanwhile some construction resources management software packages have been reviewed also. A survey questionnaire supported by interviews is used to explore the local practice in construction resources management. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were distributed to contractors of first; second, and third class, eighty questionnaires were received and analyzed.

The researcher concluded that all contracting companies are interested in using some techniques of managing construction resources such as creating and updating database for materials categories, local and international suppliers. Also, the Israeli closure on Gaza Strip is the main element that affects resources availability and cost and causes increase the cost of main materials such as cement, reinforcement steel and aggregate.

The study shows that most of contracting companies are still managing construction resources manually. The researcher developed a Construction Resources Management Software (GSCRMS) based on Microsoft Excel. GSCRMS has been evaluated to test its suitability to local practice. One of the main recommendations of this research is to encourage local contracting companies to have a construction resources management software package and use it in determining the required quantities of construction resources in order to get resources with required quantities in time and save time.