A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK USING IDEF0 FOR POST-CONTRACT COST CONTROL

Abstract

Advancements in construction project management have necessitated a comprehensive rethink of construction project processes. Gantt charts and critical path analysis have been produced to create a work breakdown structure which can identify challenges and crucial infrastructure development activities which can have an adverse impact on the project. However, they do not improve the construction process. Integration Definition Language 0 (IDEF0) models present an opportunity for construction project managers to identify essential workflows during construction and improve them. The improvement process is continuous. Hence, kaizen, which is part of lean construction, can be implemented. This study demonstrated the use of IDEF0 in a building construction project in Nigeria where the construction companies have issues with cost, overruns, low competitive advantage and unsatisfied clients. The build up to the challenges identified post-contract cost controlling techniques as an important variable in establishing the challenges above in the construction industry. With the aid of Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, the analysis was carried out to determine the techniques which are most important and effective in managing construction costs during the execution phase. Monitoring building material cost was identified to be the most important technique. The recognised significant and effective techniques were used to build a continuous improvement model with accompanied drivers such as the working budget and monitoring of overheads. The output of the findings was presented in an IDEF0 model with some written guidelines. The model designed in this study can be used on construction sites by cost and project managers to reduce and maintain current costs from the working budget through continuous improvement.