Abstract:
Claims in road/expressway construction are contemplated by many project stakeholders to be
one of the most unpleasant and disruptive measures of a project. Claims in road/highway
construction projects in Sri Lanka are inevitable, and there is no exception to the other
countries. These claims result in an extension of time, cost overruns, and adversarial
interrelation between the stakeholders. Therefore, avoidance of claims gets paramount
importance; hence knowledge generated on projects must analytically be incorporated into
succeeding projects. However, it is perceived that projects continuously fail to avoid claims
efficiently and effectively. The study was approached through a literature review, five case
studies, and seven semi-structured interviews with claim consultants, RDA consultants, and
project directors. An in-depth study was carried out through content analysis. First, it identified
the current practices of claim avoidance, the rescindable nature of claims, and strategies for
claim avoidance.
It is identified that new strategies need to be developed and applied in claims avoidance in
road/highway construction projects. The study revealed that incorporation of lessons learned
practices, proper contract document through a centralised project management unit, timely
acquisition of land, the establishment of real-time contract duration, effective pre-contract
process and site investigation, early intervention of stakeholders, honour the contractual
provisions, avoidance of late deliverables, change the attitude towards the claims, and increase
the awareness of the RDA consultants are as main strategies for claim avoidance.
Further, this research bridges the gap between knowledge and claim avoidance through a
lessons-learned system to overcome claims in future projects based on the views of the experts
in the field. Computer-based feedback software systems, commercial meetings, and PPR are
identified as the best tools for obtaining lessons learned knowledge in foreign-funded road
projects in Sri Lanka. This study presents an integrated database information system that can
be used to capture and disseminate claim-related information in the form of “lessons learned”
to utilise in forthcoming projects. Accordingly, a conceptual framework has been developed
for the successful implementation of the system.
Citation:
Priyangika, A.A.H. (2023). Claims Avoidance in road projects : corollary contributions of lessons from the past [Master's theses, University of Moratuwa]. Institutional Repository University of Moratuwa. http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/22461