EARLY CONTRACTOR INVOLVEMENT (ECI) AND PRODUCTIVITY BASED ON LEAN CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

Formalised designer-contractor collaboration sanctioned from the inception of a project is able to deliver a holistic project development scheme that maximises buildability and productivity. Used extensively in Australia and the United States, Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) procurement methods are however rarely seen in Singapore. The focus of this research is to assess the productivity of the ECI procurement method with respect to lean construction principles in Singapore. Such a study is important in order to understand the opportunities and reservations Singapore based firms have for this new procurement method. The research approach adopted in this dissertation includes reviewing literature regarding the formulation of ECI contracts, its risks, benefits and how it relates to Lean construction principles; conducting a survey to assess the industry’s perceptions of these relationships and interviewing industry experts who weigh in their opinions on ECI’s application in Singapore. The findings from this research suggest that half of the proposed relationships between lean construction and ECI are deemed to be significant. Accordingly, the main conclusion drawn from this study is that ECI has the potential to increase productivity and buildability within Singapore construction projects. However as a new procurement method, ECI will have to overcome a certain amount of scepticism regarding its application from designers, contractors and the public sector. This dissertation recommends that further research be performed for the application of ECI in Singapore, especially measuring its productivity through other benchmarks as well as its risk and cost implications. It further recommends that the government leads the way in its adoption to demonstrate ECI’s productivity benefits, fair employment scheme and collaborative nature.