The efficacy of project delivery systems : case studies from the Maltese construction industry

Abstract

This thesis examines the effectiveness of various types of the present contracting and management systems for construction projects. The present study, unlike previous ones, takes into account the effects of the project situational factors. Its premise is that project success does not only depend on choosing an 'appropriate' delivery system, but also on selecting project participants of 'right' attributes. It focuses upon the perceptions of clients and participants as to the rationale and suitability for the strategic choices of project delivery systems, the situational factors, management practices, performance of the project and clients' satisfaction. The thesis presents variants of the delivery systems, and evaluates their appropriateness for requirements of client and project. It explores the influence of clients' attributes and project characteristics upon the strategic choices of delivery systems, and the soundness of these choices. It also reviews effects of specific contractual, managerial and situational variables on project management practices and performance. The thesis further develops a conceptual model and six propositions, which are used as an analytical framework. Finally, the thesis presents the results and inter-case analysis of empirical data, and draws conclusions and recommendations from them. In adopting longitudinal, multiple case-study strategy and qualitative methodology, the data were collected from six new, sizeable (Lm 1 million plus) public projects, in Malta, during their construction phase through to completion. Questionnaire, interview, observation, and documentary sources were employed for the data collection.