Process Protocol for the Implementation of Integrated Project Delivery in the Uae: a Client Perspective
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Ph . D PROCESS PROTOCOL FOR THE . Thesis IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED PROJECT DELIVERY IN THE UAE: A CLIENT PERSPECTIVE Mubarak Saad AL AHBABI AL Saad Mubarak Mubarak Saad AL AHBABI Ph.D. Thesis 2014 2014 PROCESS PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED PROJECT DELIVERY IN THE UAE: A CLIENT PERSPECTIVE Mubarak Saad AL AHBABI School of the Built Environment, College of Science and Technology University of Salford, Salford, UK Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, May 2014 ABSTRACT The design, construction and commissioning of construction projects have been repeatedly mentioned as fragmented and inefficient. Much of the waste that is generated throughout the lifecycle of a building is mainly related to project stakeholders not having access to information that others have created. Most recently, there has been a focus on creating and reusing digital project information, throughout the lifecycle, to facilitate the exchange of information, which includes Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). The “low hanging fruit” advantage of BIM models is based on the production of coordinated and clash- free designs along which provide the ability to visualise building information in 3D. However, greater benefits can be achieved if organisations embrace BIM development into their work practices that can lead to higher levels of collaboration between project stakeholders. This can only be achieved through client-led initiatives, supported by clear and effective management tools, to manage change throughout the design and construction process. The aim of this research is to develop a process protocol for the successful implementation of IPD in client organisations using BIM as the main vehicle to control and manage the integration process. The research focuses on the identification of high level processes and their inter-relationships, which could provide guidance to client organisations on how to implement and manage IPD effectively. Three multi-storey buildings, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were selected as case studies. The first case was used as an exploratory study to validate the suitability of the proposed process protocol for the UAE’s local experiences and conditions, which has suffered from long delays and high cost overrun. As a “control case”, the study aimed to discover and investigate the real reasons behind the delays, their causes and how they could have been addressed adequately if BIM and IPD had been adopted. Case studies two and three involved on-going projects that implemented BIM from the early stages of the design phases but with different level of collaboration among the project stakeholders and were selected to ensure that the proposed process protocol is effective and can be implemented at different levels of collaboration, particularly in competitive tendering environments. Questionnaires were developed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the client’s representatives, consultants and contractors focused on validating the various components of the process protocol throughout a project’s lifecycle. The study shows that there is a lack of collaborative environment between various project stakeholders. Although the use of BIM has proven to be an effective tool, the success of collaboration can only be achieved with strong client leadership, trust and shared risk and rewards. However, local culture and contractual frameworks were found to be a major hurdle in achieving this aim. Client’s Legal Department can create and approve new type of contracts with the assistance of specially created BIM Office and Project Department. Client can take the driving seat by setting up a client committee to continuously review and monitor the project progress and to ensure that the proposed client’s requirements, plans and BIM strategy are accommodated in the project brief. With the presence of BIM, identifying BIM capabilities at early stage of the project are very important where the existence BIM management services were found to add a significant value to the successful implementation of BIM/IPD. Based on the University of Salford’s process protocol, this research produced a seven-phase process protocol, starting from strategy setting to operation (FM), to help client organisations to successfully adopt BIM/IPD. The process protocol is found to be the easiest tool, among others, to communicate the various roles and responsibilities to project stakeholders and ensures a strong client leadership is exercised throughout the design and construction process. Page | ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deep gratitude to a number of people who have helped me throughout the course of this research study. Firstly, words fail me when I try to acknowledge the support of Professor Mustafa Alshawi, who has, not only performed his formal role as a research supervisor, but continuously extended his assistance and encouragement as a big brother and a true friend. I remember with gratitude how he dedicated part of his personal and family time to review my research work, including weekends, public holidays and business trips, even sparing time during the course of long distance journeys. Secondly, this research project would not have been possible without the steady flow of guidance and advice from my research mentor and local supervisor Dr. Marwan Jabakhanji. I am very much indebted to him for his significant inputs and insights on my dissertation from its inception until submission of the final thesis. Last but not least, I would like to thank all those who provided me with the necessary data for this investigation, without whose help this research would not have been possible. They wish to remain anonymous, but you know who you are ! Page | iii DEDICATIONS I am overwhelmingly honored to dedicate this dissertation work to H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Zaid Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, whose distinguished leadership and guidance have inspired me to challenge myself with great determination and tenacity, and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces whose continuous encouragement and support for the country’s youth to seek further knowledge and education was the prime incentive for me to pursue my postgraduate study. I also dedicate this work to my loving parents to whom I owe special gratitude for their continuous support and encouragement for success in all of my academic pursuits. You have always been my best enthusiastic supporters. I will not forget the encouragement and patience of my wife and wonderful children who accepted with tolerance my many periods of absence from home during the doctorate program. Page | iv DECLARATION This thesis is presented as an original contribution based on Doctorate of Philosophy research at University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom and has not been previously submitted to meet requirements for an award at any higher education institution under my name or that of any other individuals. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the thesis contains no materials previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made. ………………………………………….. (Signed) ………………………………………….. (Date) Page | v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................. iii DEDICATIONS ............................................................................................................. iv DECLARATION ............................................................................................................ iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................ vi LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... xiii LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... xiv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... xv CHAPTER 1 Introduction to the Research ................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 1 1.2 The Research Challenge .............................................................................. 4 1.3 The Aims and Objectives of the Research .................................................... 7 1.4 Research Design .......................................................................................... 9 1.5 Research Limitation ...................................................................................... 9 1.6 A Guide to the Thesis ................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER 2 The Performance of the Construction Industry – Background ...............13 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 13 2.2 The Economic Downturn and Client Demands ........................................... 15 2.3 The Impact of Environmental Factors ......................................................... 17 2.4 The Impact of Advanced Technology ........................................................