Browsing by Author "Ekanayake, LL"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 25

item: Thesis-Abstract
Adaptation analysis of agile project management for managing IT projects in the Sri Lankan context
Jayawardena, DS; Raigama, I; Ekanayake, LL
The dynamic business environment today has created immense pressure on the delivery of IT projects. Traditional methods of managing projects are no longer applicable and effective to manage certain IT projects as they are unable to cope with the rapid organizational and business level changes. Agile project management has caught the attention of many project managers as a means of facing these challenges and to overcome the limitations of managing IT projects. This study reports the results of an adoptability analysis done on Agile Project Management in managing IT projects in Sri Lanka. The awareness level of agile project management and what factors affect the awareness are discussed in this study. The agile project management implementation challenges and recommendations discussed in this study will help organizations to learn from the pioneers to successfully adopt agile project management.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Assessment of key competencies for client management in health sector construction projects in Sri Lanka
(2023) Munasinghe, BSCK; Ekanayake, LL
The goal of this study was to identify the key competencies of a client who is responsible for the success of a health sector project in Sri Lanka. A literature review was carried out to determine the client's competency profile in terms of management and project success. To design the questionnaire survey and validate the competencies identified in the literature, expert interviews were conducted. A web-based questionnaire was distributed to clients in the health sector project, particularly medical doctors, and a few engineers in the Sri Lankan health sector. They were asked to rank the client competencies based on their experience, and 66 completed questionnaires were returned and analyzed. Respondents' perceptions of competency ranking were also evaluated, and the results revealed a strong relationship between Technical and Leadership competencies. The mean-variance analysis performed to examine the relationship between client representatives' work experience and their competency ranking discovered that it was not significant. A project's scope is a detailed outline that includes all the work required to deliver a product or service. Goals, deliverables, tasks, project members, deadlines, and milestones are all part of the project. The competency of the client is critical for management. It is critical to manage infrastructure scope management, particularly in the health sector, and this research can find the best selection method for client representatives for the work. Communicate the change with all affected parties was identified as the most important competency under the category of Leadership Competencies, followed by Obtain approval from at least three major stakeholders for variations in analytical thinking skills under the category of Technical Competency and Personal interests and expectations of client representatives over general requirements under the category of Leadership Competencies. The findings of this study can be used to guide the selection of client representatives for projects as well as the development of training programs for client representatives to improve their competencies. It is advised that the client implement a project-based project management unit.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Causes and effects of delays in medium scale building construction projects in Sri Lanka
Samarakoon, SMS; Ekanayake, LL
The main purpose or this study is to identify the causes or delays in medium scale building projects in Sri Lanka. highlight its impact on the construction industry and to forward recommendations for minimization or such delays . A questionnaire survey was carried out among the professionals engaged in medium scale building projects to identify the delays and their effects. Hundred and twenty two professionals responded. The relative important index method was adopted to rank the GIUSCS and effects in the order 01" their importance and "Improper project management by the contractor" was identified as the main cause. Other causes for the project delays were identified as "Shortage of " labour". "Improper planning by contractor" and "Financial problems or the clients". The most damaging effect or the delays was identified as the "Cost overrun" whilst other adverse effects were recognized as "Time overrun". "Disputes" and ..Arbitron". Key players in the construction industry are contractors. Consultants and clients. They hold diverse views on the causes for delays. But at times agree on certain issues. Hence. Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient method was used to check the agreement among them. Having identified the causes for the delays and ranking the same, separate set of guidelines were prepared for each party. identifying the areas they need to improve/concentrate to overcome the problem or delays. These guidelines will ensure that clients would pay more attention on aspects such as project management. identification or rlit requirements or the building. minimizing design/structural changes during construction and setting realistic time targets whereas the main areas in relation to the contractors would be efficient project management. financial management. and material procurement. Further. the proposed Guidelines will focus the attention of the Consultants on issues such as minimizing discrepancies in bidding documents. effective approval process. and identification of the client' s requirements.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Cost of software quality (CoSQ) contribution towards, gaining higher return on investment in software development projects
De Silva, OWW; Ekanayake, LL
Information Technology plays a key and decisive role in the modern business world. Along with the ever increasing importance and the decisive role of Information Technology, Software Development has taken a prime place in the holistic context of Information Technology. Under the said circumstances, there arises the urgent need to have carefully planned, efficient quality assurances processes for these software systems. It is essential to put it place more accurate prediction of the potential costs and anticipated benefits of various quality assurances technically within a particular project as it facilitates for economically rational decision making. The main goal of this research is to obtain an enhanced understanding pertaining to the examination of the impact of cost of software quality towards deciding the level of return on investment applicable to the software development projects. The sample of this research was formed within Virtusa private limited in Sri Lanka who especially involved with IT project management responsibilities in organizations. Data was gathered from a corporate database and also through a structured questionnaire. The main findings of the research shows once the company has identified its key processes and established adequate process control, quality can be easily linked to financial performance. It also reveals that the Software development project's ROI is a widely used approach for, measuring the value of a new and improved process or product technology, convincing managers to invest money and effort in improvement, and convincing them that the company can help solve structural problems, estimating how much effort to invest to solve a certain problem or estimating whether a certain intended benefit is worth its cost, deciding which process improvement to implement first as many organizations must prioritize these due to timing and resource constraints. Limitation of this research was the small sample space. Although it was deemed that formal interviews and forum discussions would greatly benefit the purpose of this research, such research methodology could not be performed
item: Thesis-Abstract
Factors affecting the contingency budget of bridge projects
(2014-08-18) Liyanage, NDM; Ekanayake, LL
Cost overrun in any sector brings bad image to the organization and unrest to the professionals. The cost overrun can be resulted either due to risk events or non risk events. Possible non risk events in bridge projects are the scope changes, design changes, quantity increase and variations. However those non risk events produce a justification to the additional cost incurred and it enhance the value of the project adding more properties. On the other hand risk events take place unexpectedly and it wastes the project money and degrades the value of the project. Therefore in order to absorb this risk cost, without making any burden to the project, conventionally it is practicing to allocate contingency budget. However still the most road and bridge contracts do not meet set cost targets as a result of improper assessment of risk factors inherent in construction. The majority of time and cost overruns are attributable to either unforeseen or foreseen events for which uncertainties were not properly accommodated. The Sri Lankan practice is to add a 10% contingency sum in bill quantities to cover the risks or uncertainties. However, even with the presence of this contingency allocation, cost overruns still prevail in the industry. Identification of the root causes for the contingency budget overrun and presenting preventive strategies for the small bridge contracts cover the research topic.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Impact of foreign contractors on development of Sri-Lankan construction industry through technology transfer
(2015-02-23) Bandara, DMLS; Ekanayake, LL
Technology Transfer has been a subject of considerable interest to many groups, because of the close relationship between technology transfer and economic growth. It has aroused the interest of academic researchers. Discussions on technology transfer (TT) in construction in the past have mainly focused on technology acquisition during the execution of projects involving an overseas party. The discussions enclosed how effectively the projects were executed and any benefits that accrued to the contracting partners from the foreign contractors. This paper attempts to extend this discussion to the problems and prospects of International Technology Transfer within the domestic construction sector in order to boost domestic capacity. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted to highlight past and present situation of the construction industry, in Sri Lanka. Questionnaire was primarily prepared in the firm of interviewing parties related to the construction industry, by visiting the advisory services and Industry Development division at ICTAD, and interviews with senior officials at ICTAD registration rank C1, C2 and C3 contractors within the Colombo District. The development of a construction industry of a certain country can be enhanced through the involvement of foreign construction firms. However, authors’ initial investigations raised question is, whether the Sri Lankan construction industry is ready to acquire the possible construction technology through foreign firms. This paper identified enablers and barriers of technology transfer and suggested local construction industry to create a suitable condition to acquire construction technology more dynamicaly through foreign firms.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Impact of monetary and non monetary rewards towards employee motivation : case study of garment industry in Sri Lanka
Perera, KE; Ekanayake, LL
This research is carried out to investigate the impact of monetary and non-monetary rewards towards employee motivation. Therefore, research objectives are set out to understand to identify different financial and non-financial rewards used by the organization considered, to critically evaluate the importance of using financial and non-financial rewards for organization and to access the significant of motivating employees for the organization.Further, study is carried out to analyse the impact of financial and non-financial rewards on employee motivation of the organization. Further study is used to provide recommendations on ensuring employee motivation through financial and non-financial rewards.Primary and secondary data collection methods are used to investigate the study. Quantitative data analysis method is used to collect numerical data and analyse the numerical data from SPSS statistical software a well MS Excel. Frequency distribution analysis is used to address the second objective of the research. Thereby, it can be concluded that all independent variables are important for motivation as they are all above the mean value of 3. The most important reward is achievement followed by influence. Monetary rewards are also of high importance according to the above analysis.Correlation analysis and Regression analysis is carried out to explore the most significance motivating factors which affects the employee’s motivation. And it is found that Achievement Recognition and Financial Rewards are most significant factors that affects the employee motivation.It is recommended to provide support to employees to achieve job tasks, to motivate employees while appraising their exceptional performance, to motivate employees by considering their new ideas and suggestions, to get the employee participation in organisational decision making process, to allow employees to get benefits from opportunities, to allow employees to take organisational decisions freely, to keep the employee suggestion box to motivate employees in other way, to develop training and development programs to enhance employee skills and competencies of the organisation and to provide monetary rewards to employees of the organisation.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Longline fishing in Sri Lanka
(2014-08-19) Krishan, KWR; Ekanayake, LL
Coastal and deep sea fishing are the main sub sectors of Sri Lankan fishery industry. The deep sea fisheries in Sri Lanka have been in existence since the early 1980. Sri Lanka coastal fishing sector mainly uses conventional methods with less capital investments. Dispute of this, coastal fish production of Sri Lanka is higher than the deep sea fish production. Longline and gillnet are the two widely use fishing methods in deep sea fishing sector. In this paper economic efficiency, Post Harvest Fish Lost (PHFL) of longline fishing are evaluated and identified. Similar evaluation is conducted for gillnet fishing to compare the position of longline fishing in the deep sea fishing sector. Research methodology for economic efficiency and PHFL was developed using the findings of literature survey. Primary data were collected from 150 deep sea vessels operated in Negombo fishery harbour. 3,346 deep sea fishing vessels are operated in Sri Lanka in the year 2010 according to the fishery statistic 2010, issued by Ministry of fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development (MFARD). Data collection was done during February through October of 2011 in Negombo fishery harbour. Accounting Rate of Return (ARR) measures the net gain from a capital investment. ARR is use to evaluate and identify the economic efficiencies of longline fishing and gillnet fishing. To calculate ARR, capital investments, fix costs, variable costs, revenues, number of fishing trips per years are used.Further this paper investigates the trend of longline fishing in the Sri Lanka. Secondary data from MFARD and FAO were used to evaluate and identify the trend. Findings indicate that the ARR for longline fishing are attractive and comparatively higher than gillnet fishing. It is found that PHFL of longline Fishing is very less. PHFL of longline fishing is found as around 12.5% of gillnet fishing. Further deep sea fishing sector demonstrates impressive improvement during last few years. Hence the results conclude that high return and high quality standard of longline fishing. This will make longline fishing more popular and attractive in deep sea fishery sector. Further Deep sea fishing will dominate Sri Lanka fishery sector as implied in trend analysis. Hence longline fishing will be very significant in Sri Lanka fishery sector. It is suggested that in order to improve the fisher sector in Sri Lanka, longline fishing should be promoted by placing right credit mechanism to the fishermen, easy and affordable access to modern technology and right infrastructures for longline vessels in fishery harbours.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Management model for maintenance of apartments in Sri Lanka : an application of ISO 9001 : 2000 quality management system
Ganegoda, KMTB; Ekanayake, LL
In the past few years a boom in the development of residential apartments or condominiums is experienced. Condominium Management Authority (CMA) being the government agency overlooks and controls the matters arising with apartments. Management Corporation (MC) of each apartment has to manage maintenance of apartment. The obvious fact in the condominiums in Sri Lanka is the prevailing management of maintenance does not meet the standards and it results poor maintenance of apartments. This research introduces a management model for maintenance of apartments which reasonably satisfies conditions in ISO 9001:2000, Quality Management System. The objective is to present this to CMA to implement and control upon MCs of apartments. Understanding the difficulty of introducing a new management system for maintenance of apartments, first a model to address conditions in Thai Foundation Quality System Standard (TFQSS) was developed. In the model four processes (Inspection, Rectification, Review and Corrective Action for nonconforming events) are included. Each of these processes contains inputs, outputs and mechanisms to convert the inputs into outputs. The out put of one process is a input of the next process. Those inputs, outputs and mechanism are defined to satisfy the ISO 9000: 2000 Quality Management System. To verify the applicability of new management system, quality manual has to be prepared. This document reveals whether, where and how ISO 9001:2000 conditions are satisfied. Furthermore to find out the practical difficulty of its implementation, discussions were carried out with expertise in four categories such as maintenance related, ISO related, apartment maintenance stakeholders and other. Based on the studies and verification on applicability, it recommends that this management system for maintenance of apartments is viable for CMA to implement and overlook upon the MCs of apartments in Sri Lanka.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Managing construction site material waste: web-based tool
(2009) Ekanayake, LL; Samarasinghe, DAS; Shamih, MSM; Jayakody, WHAJ
Sri Lanka is a developing country which has considerable expanding infrastructure development projects. Hence, I construction industry generates lots of waste which cause a significant environmental and social impact. It has been found that the construction waste management can be effectively addressed through a reliable waste database system. I Therefore, this study sought to develop an applicable measurement tool to record the level of wastage on construction I sites and to propose a construction waste management plan for the city of Colombo with "Nation Waste Database" concept.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Outsourcing -influences and outcomes from telecommunication industry in Sri Lanka
indrasiri, GHPM; Ekanayake, LL
Outsourcing is a concept, which is considered to be an emerging in this decade since all organizations required surviving and being competitive in the market where it plays. Telecommunications industry in Sri Lanka is one of the rapid growing industry, where it is considered to be having more and more competition among the operators. This competition is critical due to the prevailing economic environment, where all organizations will focus on reduced costs structure while improving their capabilities within the industry. Therefore, "Out sourcing" is regarded as a major strategy to achieve f1exibility, which keeps the organization in a competitive position in the industry.Since there were few studies on outcomes of out sourcing and to improve knowledge of the decision makers who involved in outsourcing decision, study on outsourcing was carried out. Main objectives of the research were to identify key inf1uences, how outsourcing is carried out and common characteristics of successful out sourcing programs.Based on the theoretical frame work, three organizations were selected from the telecom industry in Sri Lanka and carried out a case study on the out sourcing programs, which had been initiated by those organizations. Since the operating structure and business processes were the same in the industry, organizations were selected in three disciplines like mobile, fixed line and CDMA operators. Managerial positions, who involved in outsourcing of business processes of above organizations,were interviewed base on a structured interview guide.Case studies revealed the major influences of outsourcing and the common characteristics of outsourcing programs. Also, it revealed the way that out sourcing of business processes were carried out in telecommunication sector.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Preparation of guidelines to have sophisticated contractor's all risk [car] insurance policies
Senanayake, WPGDR; Ekanayake, LL
Risk is the measure of likelihood of specific unwanted event and its negative consequences that gear to drawbacks of the project. When analyzing the risk, the probability of occurrence and its impacts are reviewed. Commonly used risk responsive measures are the Facing, Taking, Mitigating, Avoiding, Transferring and Sharing. Construction industry is a sector wherein very poor attitude focused on risk management. The negative impacts of poor management of risks significantly affect time and cost overruns as well as the quality aspects also. Construction risk and construction insurance run together as the possession of Contractor's All Risk (CAR) Insurance Policy has become a mandatory requirement according to the ICTADand FIDIC CoC. The insurance companies admit huge risks to a lower premium and in the mean time Contractors try to bring down the insurance premium as much as possible to increase their profit margin. Hence CAR insurance policies are embedded with many of the strict conditions that relieve the insurers from their liabilities in many instances and the issued CAR insurance policies are not project specific. Neither Employers nor Contractors thoroughly go through such ambiguous terms stipulated in the CAR insurance policies, before an official agreement is made with insurance companies. The objective of this research is to establish the guidelines to have a sophisticated CAR insurance policy in Employer, Contractor and Project aspects in road projects based on the merits and demerits of the prevailing CAR insurance policies as well as the views of professionals, their knowledge and suggestions gathered through a questionnaire survey. Twenty two nos. of CAR insurance policies of different major road projects located In different zones [representative sample] in Sri Lanka, were collected and analyzed. And one Hundred and Eighty Nine numbers of Questionnaires were also analyzed. Based on the aforementioned analysis, guidelines were prepared and all achievements are depicted under the Clauses 5.2.1 and 5.2.2. Key Words: CAR, Contractor, Employer, Insured, Insurer, Loss or Damage, Risk
item: Conference-Full-text
Psychological contract with construction labour for sustainability in construction
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2013-06) Ekanayake, LL; Chandradasa, SAVN; Sandanayake, YG; Fernando, NG
The Construction Industry in general and its workforce in particular are the essential partners for rapid economic progress of a country. In the process of marching towards a developed nation, Sri Lankan construction industry has to play its due role. However, industry faces tremendous challenges to sustain the existing workforce and to attract additional skilled and unskilled workforce to the industry to deliver its promises. Effective Human Resource Management (HRM) practices to increase industry productivity standards and retention of construction labor through appropriate contracts with them were highlighted in this regard. Employment ‘contract’ is defined as the bond between the employer and employee for a given task. The emphasis of ‘psychological contract’ is to bring the importance of mutual trust and understanding between two parties where implied terms are vital than written contract. This paper introduces a framework for Psychological contract with labour based on literature review and pilot interviews. Psychological contract model for construction labor contracts was proposed by emphasizing the ‘remuneration and welfare’, ‘dignity’ and ‘motivation and performance of labour’ as three main pillars for building the proposed model. Preliminary findings suggest adopting innovative HRM practices embedded with psychological contract for construction industry to ensure its sustainability.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Public -private partnerships for infrastructure development in Sri Lanka
(2014-08-21) Perera, WSL; Ekanayake, LL
Public- Private Partnerships (PPPs) is becoming a popular investment model since late 1980s and 1990s in the world. PPPs in the delivery of public services have become a phenomenon which is spreading around the globe and generating great interest among governments, investors and other key project stakeholders. PPPs avoid the often negative effects of either exclusive public ownership or outright privatization. This is seen as a win-win situation for both public and private entities where they undertake large budget projects. This balanced approach is especially welcomed in public services which touch on every human being's basic needs & economical development of a country. Basically in this research, it is attempted to address three main objectives, which are to identify the current PPP coverage on infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka, to identify current deficiencies in PPP practices and areas which resist PPP being an attractive investment model in infrastructure developments in Sri Lankan context and to propose an improved PPP framework/model that can be use effectively and address the identified problems in infrastructure developments in Sri Lanka. (Based on Indian PPP framework) Based on theoretical framework in this research, a structured questionnaire was introduced for collecting data. Then, the data set has been evaluated using Likert Scale and giving weights for that and the total percentage of score. To get the maximum benefit from PPPs to a country, there are three main needs that motivate the governments to encourage into PPPs for develop infrastructures, Those are, first attract private capital investment, secondly increase efficiency and use available resources more effectively, thirdly reform sectors through a reallocation of roles, incentives, and accountability, better customers service, employee morale, transfer of technology and training for the people. In contrast, the Indian context/ framework of PPP practice has been compared against the deficiencies in the local PPP set up that is to suggest improvements to the Sri Lankan PPP framework
item: Thesis-Abstract
Risk management process for power generation projects in Sri Lanka
Wanniarachchi, TA; Ekanayake, LL
Risk management helps potential obstacles to be identified and contained early through proper response strategies, thereby minimizing negative impacts on positive aspects on project cost, schedule, scope and quality. Managing potential risks also helps identify opportunities that may enhance the project and have a positive impact on project objectives. The initial surveys carried out by the author revealed that neither the main power utility in Sri Lanka, the Ceylon Electricity Board nor any of the Independent Power Produces operating in the country either possess or practice any documented, structured Risk Management Process for power generation projects. Therefore, there is a great requirement to develop an appropriate Risk Management Process for Sri Lankan power generation projects. The main scope of this research is to formulate a Risk Management Process for Power Generation Projects (RMPPGP), taking in to account the current risk management context of the country. In the thesis, the author has proposed an RMPPGP consisting of six sub-process i.e Establishment of the risk management context of the Power Project, Risk identification, Risk analysis , Risk response planning, Risk monitoring & control and Communicate &consult. Comprehensive flow charts for each of these sub-processes and also the required supporting material of the RMPPGP have also been presented for convenient practice.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Safety performance of construction industry in Sri Lanka
(2014-08-22) De Alwis, LWJN; Ekanayake, LL
A safe and healthy work environment is the basic right of every worker. However, the global situation falls far short from this right. The ILO estimates that more than 125 million workers are victims of occupational accidents and disease in single year. Of these, approximately 220,000 workers die and about 10 million are seriously injured. Due to the ever changing environment and temporary nature of the construction industry, it contributes major component of aforementioned accidents. It is common in Sri Lanka, under privileged community has involved in construction industry. This leads to labour exploitation. Contractors always try to maximize the profit. Hence they always try to allocate lesser amount for health and safety resulting under resources and poor trained labour force at the site. Top management, middle management and even site personal are much aware of the benefits that can be gained through good health and safety practices. However it is sad to say that poor safety performance of the construction industry continues. This may be due to the poor safety culture, low education, lack of resources, poor commitment etc. Hence this research tries to find the reasons for poor health and safety conditions of construction sites and find the ways and means to mitigate the risk.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Solution for national water supply & drainage board customers' problems in Colombo city
(2014-08-20) Letchumanamohan, S; Ekanayake, LL
Clean and adequate water is a basic and fundamental requirement of human beings. Focusing on customer requirement is particularly important, where several alternative sources and service providers are available. Customer satisfaction and good customer relationships are important in any business, which is also applicable to the N WS&DB in spite of state monopoly. A satisfied customer would assist by informing any pipe leaks in the distribution system and house connection promptly. This research aims to access the customer satisfaction levels of the NWS&DB customers, identify problems faced by the customers and suggest solutions in order to improve the intuitional and operational system. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 36 householders in Colombo South area who had complained to the NWS&DB. The important problems identified in the customer's survey are insufficient pressure in the distribution system, inaccurate meter reading, delay to attend repair work and poor quality of repairs. The relevant NWS&DB Engineers were interviewed to collect reasons for the above mentioned problems and the following important human resources management problems were identified. • Lack of self interest in the repair gangs • Lack of authority/ funds, to procure sufficient number of equipment. The important reasons for the customers' problems include • Minimum accountability of repairs as large number of the site gangs carry out the repair works in the whole city rather than a small number attending a specified area. • Minimum proactive maintenance and repairs are carried out by the existing O&M section, due to lack of motivation • At present the numbers of repair gangs are insufficient. The problem is worsened due to police requirement to carry out night work. The important reasons for all customers' problems were analyzed in order to propose a feasible management option on par with the available industry practices. The solution for the problems is recommended as both long term and short term. As a long term solution, decentralization of repairs and O&M of distribution system, and an incentive scheme in order to motivate the workers have been recommended. In order to solve the immediate problem the recommended short term solution is outsourcing of development works and excess activities for which available staff are inadequate. Further
item: Thesis-Abstract
Status of socio-technical designs incorporation for road rehabilitation project
(2015-03-01) Jayatunga, GN; Ekanayake, LL
The growing transport needs within the country continuously demand the necessity of maintenance of the road network in a satisfactory level. Therefore, several development projects are always carried out within the country and the government has also given priority to the development of infrastructure. Evidence at hand shows that launched and completed road projects have developed certain difficulties to the communities on either side of the road, road end users and to the society. The facts revealed that designs of the road construction industry are always focused into technical aspects rather than considering its socio perspectives. It is necessary to carry out a survey to find out the extent to which the factors would have influenced. Arising out of the literature review of this research, thirteen (13) socio factors that affect the end users of the projects have been selected to study under this research. The collecting of data on thirteen numbers of socio factors, was carried out under two methods namely Road condition survey and Questionnaire survey for ten numbers of the selected sample roads. Under this research, analysis of the collected data reveal that past completed projects have not considered the socio aspects at any stage of the project such as planning, designing, and implementing stage. According to the analysis of data of sample projects they can be catogarised into good, fair and poor condition. Out of these ten projects nine projects are in poor condition and one is in fair condition. Therefore, the objective of this research is to establish an improvement method by the participation of road actors such as infrastructure owners, experts in road construction industry, designers and road users. Based on the literature review and analysis of data, the method for improvement of socio aspects has been deduced to be considered within the initial stage of the project by participating road actors.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Study on factors affecting rework in building construction
(2015-03-01) Nihal, PW; Ekanayake, LL
Rework which is often experienced in construction projects is primarily caused as a result of poor site management practices mainly contributed in presence of incompetent knowledge and supervision, poor workmanship, insufficient supervision, improper work protection. Recent research has shown that rework is the significant cause for schedule and cost overruns, quality deviations, poor safety, and client and contractor dissatisfaction in the building construction industry. Reducing rework is widely regarded as an effective way of improving construction performance in terms of productivity, cost, schedule, quality and safety. The research presented in this paper uses multiple completed building projects to identify the significant variables that contributed to rework. Rework factors’ identification and categorization are carried out on the basis of rework performing groups in the design and construction process and best practices are proposed in considering the stages of design and construction. This research develops generalized best practices and checklists, which are intended to reduce rework by managing construction building projects for the purpose of performance and productivity improvement. Also, they can enable project managers to better understand priority areas in the process of site management practices in construction projects. Keywords: Building Constructions, Rework, Causes, Best Practices.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Study on payment delays in small scale construction projects in Sri Lanka : (based on case studies)
Illangakoon, DHS; Ekanayake, LL
The construction industry plays a very important role in generating wealth and improving the quality of life of the people. It is evident from previous research that there is a close relationship between construction and the national economy of a country. Hence, it is vital to ensure that construction projects are effectively and efficiently implemented. Problems of cash flow due to issues on payment delays to contractors can severely affect the implementation of construction projects. This is critical within the small scale projects in the industry.There are several instances where small companies have been closed due to the payment delays in their projects. According to related literature and the past experience of the industry, it is clear that the Payment Delay to contractors could cause severe impact on the small scale construction projects in construction industry. The aim of this research work is to study about impacts of payment delays to small scale construction contractors under different scenarios in Sri Lankan context and based on the study,identifying of main causes affecting payment delays and ultimately propose relevent improvements to overcome those payment delays.Research was carried out based on case studies.Research reveals the payment delays to small scale contractors are significantly high from the side of Clients compared to the Contractors. Main causes are “Due to prevaling internal system of the Client (No of Layers /officers passing the bill) , Cash problems of the client (Non availability of Funds), Additional works requested by client after submission of Final Bill , Nonadherence of correct formats by Contractor, Improper submissions by Contractor(less documentation)”.There is a high impact on payment delays due to some improper practices of Client i.e. “Lack of inter relationship between internal units and officials, Lack of follow up and guidance by Top Level officials, No fear in contravening conditions of contract and Handling too much work at a time”. There is a high impact on payment delays due to some improper practices of Contractor too i.e. “Lack of Courage & Confidence to complain to relevant parties/Authorities about payment delays and Lack of Unity among contractors”. Clients and Contractors are recommended to follow the proposed improvements under this study to mitigate the payment delays to contractors in small scale level.