Papers by Author: Towhid Pourrostam

Abstract: Change order is a frequent phenomenon in most construction projects. However, these changes can be controlled when their causes are known. This report is set to find out the various techniques through which this phenomenon can be controlled most especially in the roadway construction projects in south of Iran. In order to reduce this occurrence to the minimum, certain mechanisms have been identified as being very effective and these are clearly the project objectives and scope of change order of work, provision of complete documentation, finalize the design during the design phase. The outcomes of this study would provide necessary information that may be used by employers and contractors to minimize cases of change orders in construction projects. Moreover, it is anticipated that the results of this study will assist greatly in reducing the total cost of construction works and the time of completion of the project hence increase the efficiency of the work.

Abstract: Change orders are one of the main problems in construction projects. The objectives of this study are identification and evaluation of causes and effects of change orders as well as procedures of change orders control on building construction projects in Islamic Azad University (IAU) Shoushtar Branch in Iran. It is found that contractor's financial difficulties, previous construction delays by other contractors working on different contracts were important factors responsible for change orders in construction projects. However, there are five important factors that have been identified as having the greatest effects on change order. Finally, important methods in procedures of change orders control are recommended. Although, the research is restricted to IAU-Shoushtar Branch, the findings of construction management problems are common to other universities in their building construction projects.

Abstract: Delays in construction projects are usually inevitable, and most projects are not completed on time. The scope of this study was to find out the factors that are responsible for minimizing delays on construction projects in Islamic Azad University (IAU) Shoushtar Branch in Iran. The overall ranking of most vital factors causing delay and how they cause it, as well as effective methods of minimizing delay on construction projects was obtained by the mean rank score. It was found that the use of experienced contractors and subcontractors, financial difficulties by contractor and change orders by employer during constructionwere some of the factors responsible for delay. However, time and cost overrun were seen to be the major factors causing delay. The result showed that the use of experienced contractors and subcontractors, accurate initial cost estimates and clear objective and scope were effective methods of minimizing delay on construction projects. The results obtained here, though peculiar to a certain area can be adopted for other case studies in which similar problems are encountered.

Abstract: Delays are one of the biggest problems in construction projects in developing countries, as cause negative effects on the projects. Delays can be minimized only when their causes are identified. This paper aims to identify effective methods of minimizing delay in construction projects. The literature related the field of causes and effects of delay and methods for minimizing construction delay has been reviewed over the last decade. This paper highlighted methodology to reduce construction delays from consultant and contractor viewpoints. The perspective of contractors and consultants has been analysed to rank the methods of minimizing construction delays based on their Relative Importance Index (RII). The most effective methods of minimizing delay in construction projects were: adequate funding throughout the project, competent project manager, awarding bids to the right designer/contractor, complete and proper design at the right time, availability of resources, clear objective and scope, and the use of experienced subcontractors and suppliers. The result can be used as a guideline to successfully handling construction projects in Iran as well as other developing countries.