ABSTRACT
The Nigerian Construction Industry (NCI) faces numerous cost-related challenges that have in some cases increased costs of construction projects by up to 61.84%. Such challenges include the increasing complexity of construction projects which necessitate specialist skills required for their design, construction, operation and maintenance. The control of the cost of construction projects, Project Cost Control (PCC), is thus confronted by new problems, as well as the use of old tools. There is need for cost control methods that will assist project team members in identifying objectives, choosing cost control priorities and setting up a feedback system. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of cost control practices on the cost performance of construction projects as a means of recommending improvements in the cost control process on construction sites. This research was carried out in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, which as the capital city of Nigeria, has numerous on-going construction activities. A random survey of 65 selected construction practitioners was undertaken with the use of structured, close-ended questionnaires. This research has found that ‘Controlling of sub contract cost’ (Mean Score = 4.49 on a 5.0 scale), ‘Cost variance (Mean Score = 4.48) and ‘Cost reports (Mean Score = 4.43) are the most frequently applied PCC practices. Conversely, construction professionals shied away from the use of S-curve for cost/time monitoring. The study also discovered that 80% of the sample always conducted variance analysis, while only 1% admitted to never checking deviations from budget through variance analysis. It was concluded that ‘Delayed/No payments for works done’ and ‘late/non-involvement of QS in project’ as well as ‘use of outdated cost control techniques’ were the major barriers to realization of the ideal benefits of PCC. These results reveal that more work still needs to be done in the area of use of tools for PCC; the study thus recommended that Quantity Surveyors be introduced to the project as early as possible to help address cost challenges right from the design stages through to the post construction.
ABSTRACT
Undoubtedly, the corporation has become one of the most powerful forces in twentieth century economies. It is both a method of p...
EVALUATING GOVERNMENT PALLIATIVE MEASURES AS RESPONSES TO PROTESTER DEMANDS (A CASE STUDY OF...
Background Of The Study
English language teaching and learning need four skills. There are four compone...
ABSTRACT
The focus of this study is to examine employees’ perception on motivation mechanism in N...
Abstract
Croton zambesicus Linn (Euphorbiaceae) is a highly valued medicinal plant in Nigeria and West African sub-region. It is used by...
EXCERPT FROM THE STUDY
The concept of mass communication as practised in traditional journalism is one in which tho...
ABSTRACT
The study was about the effect of computerization on service delivery in Airtel Uganda.
The study was...
ABSTRACT
Delegation of responsibilities is the organized process that permits the transfer of responsibilities and autho...
Abstract
This study was carried out on the impact of measuring employee's performance on organizational growth. The...
Abstract: Industry-academia collaborations play a pivotal role in vocational education by a...