STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF CHANGES IN EDUCATIONAL BUILDING PROJECTS: A TIMELINE-BASED CHECKLIST APPROACH

Strategic management of changes is very significant for all types of construction projects. Project management teams must have the ability to respond to changes effectively in order to minimize their adverse impact on the project. The study focuses on the causes, their frequent effects and effective controls for changes in educational building projects. To achieve the study objectives, a questionnaire survey was carried out to collect relevant information. Through the literature review, 53 causes, 16 effects and 30 potential controls for change orders were identified. These provided the basis for the formulation of the questionnaire. Responses from 92 professionals who were involved in the educational projects in Singapore were analyzed. They included 28 developers, 33 consultants and 31 contractors. From the survey findings, the most important causes of changes were identified. The study revealed the most frequent effects and most effective controls for each cause of change order. Arising therefrom, a comprehensive tabulation of the 53 causes and their frequent effects and effective controls was also developed. A timeline for implementing the controls was developed through in-depth interviews with the professionals. The study would assist building professionals in taking proactive measures for reducing change orders for educational buildings; furthermore, the timeline would also be helpful for them to implement controlling strategies at the appropriate time. Recommendations were suggested based on the research findings.