Importance of design phase stakeholder management for successfully achieving objectives of building projects: a Sri Lankan perspective

Abstract

Contribution of the building design process for achieving the project objectives with a higher degree of success has been highlighted in several researches worldwide. Conventionally, success of a building project is judged in terms of, completion within the scheduled time, completion within the budget, and fully complying to the clients’ satisfaction with minimum subsequent modifications and reworks. In achieving these, design phase of a building project alone offers the greatest scope. Irrespective of this awareness, instances are not rare to find, where clients are facing various difficulties in completing/ operating their buildings. Research and many case studies from the industry have provided evidence for cost overruns, delay in completion, mismatch between the delivered product and the clients’ expectations, and high cost and time expenditure on variations and modifications in building projects. The aim of this paper is to present the outcomes of a research, which identified the importance of acquiring the timely contribution of design phase stakeholders and effective coordination amongst them, throughout the design phase for better achievement of the project objectives. The discussion is based on findings of a comprehensive questionnaire survey carried out in Sri Lanka on a sample of design phase stakeholders who holds hands-on-experience in building trade. Based on findings recommendations are made to encourage higher investment on stakeholder management during the design phase.