INHERENT WEAKNESSES OF THE BUILDING INDUSTRY

1. The separation of design from the construction. It divides the design team from the construction team.
2. Conflicts between parties – Contracts are based on adversarial relationships, No co-operation, and the sharing of joint objectives. Therefore, the client’s needs are lost in inter-party and inter-disciplinary rivalry.
3. Inefficient and outdated practices- reduce the potential for productivity improvements.
4. A poor quality finished product.
5. Cost overruns – many become news items because they involve public money.
6. Inefficient organization of subcontractors.
7. Time delays.
8. Lack of attention to the public concerning noise, nuisance, and danger.
9. The estimating practices do not relate actual costs, productivity, and other factors during the bids being prepared.
10. Poor risk assessment and management.
11. The bad image of contractors based on illegal and collusive tendering practices and bribery.
12. Delays caused by factors that are within the control of the design and construction teams.

Remedial actions to be followed

1. Integrated approaches to design and construction services for clients.
2. Better education of construction managers and practitioners.
3. Partnering between clients, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.
4. Pre-qualification for consultants, contractors, and subcontractors.
5. Minimum standards for registration and operations.
6. Multi-skilling of the trades.