EFFECTS OF DESIGN BRIEF ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BUILDING PROJECTS IN SELECTED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The design brief is one of the most important parts of the building process. It is foundational to whatsoever the outcome of the construction process will be. The design brief is usually linked with a high level of uncertainty on the part of the design team due to lack of information on the client’s requirements. Unclear design brief at inception caused changes in the design during construction leading to cost and time overrun which are seen as severe problems facing construction projects in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. These problems have necessitated the need for this study. The study aimed at evaluating the effects of design brief on the performance of building projects in tertiary institutions in Ondo State. The objectives of the study were to: appraise the constituents of design brief of building projects in tertiary institutions in Ondo State; assess the challenges associated with design brief in building projects in the study area; evaluate the effects of the challenges associated with design brief on both time and cost performance of building projects; and develop guidelines for effective design brief for tertiary institutions building projects. Mixed method of research combining quantitative and qualitative methods was used. Quantitative through the use of questionnaire survey for data collection, and qualitative techniques through the use of interviews of twenty four (24) construction professionals consisting of twenty (20) client representatives and four (4) consultants on six (6) projects from four (4) tertiary institutions in Ondo State. The six (6) projects used as case studies was the primary population for the research. Responses received were analysed using mean score, standard deviation and grounded theory methods of analyses. The findings revealed that lack of adequate contribution from client to the design brief and noninvolvement of relevant stakeholders during the preparation of design brief were the major factors responsible for change in design brief. The change in design brief was responsible for time and cost overrun on those projects studied. The study recommended twelve (12) guidelines as essential to effective design brief practice. The study concluded that change in design brief as a result of inadequate brief had the most significant effect on the time and cost performance of building projects in tertiary institutions in Ondo State. The recommendations of the study were that a brief team should be constituted by each institution to prepare required design brief. Also recommended is the proper monitoring of building developments in tertiary institutions in line with bespoke guidelines developed by the institutions.