Hasler, Mitchell Dean (2016-08). Critical Success Factors Affecting Successful Completion of "Institutional" Projects: A Case Study Approach. Master's Thesis. Thesis uri icon

abstract

  • Modern construction presents various challenges for both clients and contractors with regards to the delivery of a successful project. This is due to the increasing complexity in design and the involvement of multiple stakeholders as well as various other factors. To deal with these challenges, Critical Success Factors (CSF's) are often identified and given particular attention to ensure a successful project. CSF's can be identified as "areas, in which results, if they are satisfactory, will ensure successful competitive performance for the organization. From the literature reviewed, it is evident that there is a large amount of research and data with regards to Critical Success Criteria and Critical Success Factors for construction projects. However, it was found that there was no specific research which had been conducted on "Institutional" projects such as collegiate education buildings. This study attempts to analyze the critical success factors for the successful completion of "institutional" projects and was conducted with a qualitative approach utilizing several research tools including a literature review, written surveys, and interviews with construction professionals. The research focused on several "institutional" buildings from Texas A&M University (TAMU) located in College Station, Texas. The study consisted of conducting four face-to-face interviews with industry professionals who were directly involved with the construction management of "Institutional" projects at TAMU. Interviewees were asked to evaluate / rank the importance of twenty factors, and after evaluation and accounting for similar factors, this was reduced down to a final list of fourteen CSF's. A questionnaire was then developed and sent out to the interviewees using Qualtrics, a survey analysis software. Within the survey they were asked to rank the fourteen CSF's in order of importance. The positional preference rankings from each participant were then evaluated and using the Borda Count Method, they were awarded a score. This provided a final ranking of the CSF's. This study highlights many of the CSF's needed for construction projects, including that of "Institutional" projects, and provides an overview between the similarities and the differences found. Within the reviewed literature it was found that planning, cooperation and experienced management were the most essential CSF's for construction projects. This study has shown that "pre-construction" activities such as planning are the most essential CSF's for "Institutional" projects on the Texas A&M University campus and suggests that if this is achieved then experienced management is not as important. This may be a cause of the form of contract employed for these projects, Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR).

publication date

  • August 2016