Relationships between methods for constructability analysis during design and constructability failures in projects

Which constructability methods are effective in preventing which problems and to what degree? This research explored the relationships between 12 of the many "constructability methods" identified in the literature and a set of 17 basic constructability problem types that were isolated through rigorous investigation of the detailed histories of four large construction projects. The resulting relationship matrix represents the potential causal connections between the constructability problems and the constructability methods that can prevent them. Experts were interviewed to determine the values of the cells of the matrix, and their input was analyzed to draw conclusions dealing with the priority of implementation of constructability methods as well as the potential of the various basic problems to be prevented by the implementation of constructability methods. The most effective tool was found to be assigning a design manager as a "constructability champion," while the type of problem that could be prevented most easily was identified as technical coordination. Surprisingly, company procedures such as ISO 9000 were found to be one of the least effective methods.