DEVELOPMENT OF A FRAMEWORK FOR THE ADOPTION OF VALUE MANAGEMENT ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Value Management (VM) is a methodology denoted for cost-saving without compromising the quality of construction projects. This methodology helps in the judicious use of the limited construction resources but it has been rarely used on construction projects in Nigeria. This study therefore aimed at developing a framework for the adoption of VM in the Nigerian construction industry with a view to enhancing value for money for construction clients. The VM job plans of six (6) countries were comprehensively reviewed out of the 19 VM job plans in the world because English Language is the medium of instructions in these countries. Snowballing was used to identify 20 construction professionals that participated in the survey for the development of the framework for adoption of VM. Fifteen (15) of the construction professionals participated in the Delphi survey while the remaining 5 construction professionals with four (4) other selected members of the Delphi panel validated the developed framework. Mean Item Score (MIS) and Standard Deviation (SD) were used to analyse the drivers of VM, the impediments to VM adoption and the components of the framework. Kendall‘s coefficient of concordance was used to test the level of agreement on the components of the framework and Interrater Agreement Analysis (IRA) with significant level analysis was computed to show the relevance of the components of the framework. The study revealed that adequate understanding of benefits of VM and higher/postgraduate programmes that teach VM technique are the highest drivers of VM adoption with mean score of 6.27 and 6.17 respectively while the client‘s unwillingness to invest in the adoption of new methodologies/technologies is the highest impediment to VM adoption with mean score of 6.20. Communication gap between clients and other consultants and delay in design preparation as a result of VM ranked next with mean score of 6.07. Nevertheless, other variables of the drivers of VM and impediments to VM were significant because of their high scores. The mean score of the components of the developed framework at the second round of the survey ranged between 5.53 and 6.20. The findings further showed that Australian VM job plan is the most modified job plan across the globe. The job plan can be studied alongside with US job plan and further modified to suit the Nigerian construction environment. A framework of practical means through which VM can be adopted on construction projects was developed. The framework entailed the necessary processes required to adopt VM and the relevant stakeholders needed to undertake expected tasks. The stakeholders required for VM adoption were academics, construction professional bodies and the government. The processes captured in the framework for VM adoption included sourcing of VM experts for training the Nigerian construction professionals, legislating policy for VM adoption, undertaking research to aid domesticating VM job plan for the Nigerian construction industry, inclusion of VM clause in the procurement Act, experimenting adoption of VM with control group and tracking performance for necessary publicity and marketing. The processes required for VM adoption were collaborative and expected to be regulated by the proposed Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). The framework was validated and confirmed to be suitable for its intended purpose. The framework developed was recommended to facilitate the adoption of VM on construction projects in Nigeria and also enhance the capability of the practice of quantity surveyors as cost managers in the global competitive environment.