Evaluation of factors affecting project scope change in Sri Lankan building construction industry

Abstract

Developments of major infrastructures such as Electric Generation, Transmission & Distribution, Telecommunication, Data Services, Harbour Developments, Road Developments, and Irrigation Projects are handled by few or single organizations specialized for the purpose. Both Client and Engineer are themselves. Therefore, more professional approaches are observed. Mass scale building construction projects especially high-rise buildings too have more professional approaches. The area where less professional approaches are identified is the medium & small building constructions. This Research is an attempt to address the issue. Scope Changes have been identified as one of top most significant reason for interrupting construction projects. Cost overrun, excessive delays, inferior quality and dis-satisfaction & conflict among stakeholders are the ultimate consequences of Scope Changes. Once Scope Change is made, the consequences are delivered to the number of stakeholders in various magnitudes. Therefore, there is a high probability to arising conflicts among stakeholders. Low professional approach in medium & small building constructions makes the problem more crucial. This is the atmosphere at which the importance of identifying the factors and causes, minimizing the Constructive Scope Changes and developing an accepted mechanism to execute Directed Scope Changes are smoothly becoming high priority. Changes were categorized in to Directed and Constructive Changes. Directed Changes are easy to identify. A Directed Change occurs when the client directs the contractor to perform works that are different from the specified in the contract or an addition to the original scope of work. (Osman, 2009). A Constructive Change is an informal act authorizing or directing a modification to the contract caused by an act or failure to act. (Osman, 2009). Considerable tools have been developed in project implementing mechanism of Public Sector to minimize Constructive Scope Changes and manage Directed Scope Changes. A lot of room is still available for further improvements in various levels of authorities. The main objective of this Research is ascertaining Root Causes for Scope Changes in Public Sector Building Constructions and possible Preventive or Precautionary