FACTORS INFLUENCING VARIATIONS OF PRIVATE PROJECTS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Variations are often inevitable for construction projects such as cost and time overruns or disputes.

In this study, the author attempts to identify and evaluate the factors influencing their occurrence. Apart from that, practical recommendations on reducing variations are also proposed by gathering industry practitioners’ opinions on mitigation of variation cost. This will lead to better management and control of the items and finally mitigate the adverse effects arising from variations.

Firstly, three hypotheses are established to provide theoretical assumptions for this study. The author assumes that firstly, client characteristics, namely, profile of client; secondly, project characteristics, namely, type of facility, type of project, contract sum and construction duration; thirdly, project organization, namely, procurement method, contractor selection methods, the number of subcontractors involved and pre-contract design duration have significant influence on the total variations cost.

The evaluation was based on the correlational analysis of 42 completed buildings projects in Singapore. The findings suggest that project characteristics have significant influence on total variation cost.