Assessing Understanding of Planning and Scheduling Theory and Practice on Construction Projects

Abstract

Despite attention being paid to the development of planning and scheduling theory, it is unclear whether project stakeholders and practitioners have sufficient understanding about how it applies in practice. A study was conducted with the aim of assessing practitioners’ perceptions of planning and scheduling theory and practice on construction projects in Oman. Data were gathered through a questionnaire-based survey and analyzed using the relative importance index. Respondents were asked to consider: (1) the suitability and efficiency of existing planning methods; (2) scheduling development and performance control; and (3) knowledge-based planning and scheduling concepts. The analysis revealed no significant variations among respondents’ perceptions in regard to the above topics. The findings did, however, reveal a number of factors that are of equal importance to the development of project planning and scheduling. The overall findings imply that practicing managers should implement new management strategies that foster knowledge-based planning and scheduling concepts for a more effective construction process. Recommendations are made for improvement that include the need for practicing managers to professionalize project planning and scheduling based on a more proactive and knowledge-based planning approach, which is supported by management.

Keywords:

• Construction Projects
• Organizational Learning
• Project Planning
• Schedule Performance
• Scheduling Methods
• Stakeholder Perspectives

EMJ Focus Areas:

• Program & Project Management
• Economics of Engineering

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hammad AlNasseri

Hammad AlNasseri is currently working as a doctoral researcher at Lund University in Sweden. He was selected and nominated to PhD study at Lund University by the Erasmus consortium committee, in 2011, as a part of an international exchange program between the European Union and the Gulf Arab universities. In general, his doctoral research is focused on the area of planning and scheduling processes in the context of construction management. Hammad obtained his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering (with distinction) from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in Oman in 2009. He is member of the Oman Society of Engineers (OSE), and he has a student membership in the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM).

Radhlinah Aulin

Radhlinah Aulin is a lecturer in the Division of construction management at Lund University, Sweden. She gained her Doctorate from Loughborough University, UK, in 2000. Her research focused on looking at proactive safety factors for construction sites and how they affect safety performance. She is interested in the study of both physical and psychosocial effects in the construction industry and communication in health and safety among stakeholders. She is a member of the international network CIB (International Council for Building) Group W99–Safety and Health in Construction.