How Changes in Building Design Affect Construction Project Management

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How Changes in Building Design Affect Construction Project Management

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The construction industry is inherently complex, involving the coordination of diverse professionals, processes, technologies, and stakeholders. At the center of this complexity lies the building design, which provides the conceptual and technical foundation for transforming client needs into a physical structure. Building design is not static; it evolves through stages of briefing, conceptualization, schematic design, detailed design, and construction documentation. However, changes or adjustments to design often occur during the project lifecycle due to client preferences, regulatory requirements, site conditions, technological innovations, or value engineering considerations (Love et al., 2017).

Building design adjustments refer to any modification made to the original approved design during the course of a construction project. These adjustments may involve changes to architectural layouts, structural systems, mechanical and electrical services, materials, or construction methods. While some adjustments are necessary to improve functionality, safety, sustainability, or cost efficiency, others arise from inadequate initial planning or incomplete information (Alnuaimi et al., 2018). Regardless of the cause, design changes have significant implications for construction project management.

Construction project management is concerned with planning, organizing, directing, and controlling resources to achieve project objectives within defined constraints of time, cost, scope, and quality (PMI, 2021). Design stability is critical to effective project management because the project schedule, budget, procurement plan, and risk management strategies are typically developed based on an approved design. When the design is adjusted during execution, project managers must respond by revising plans, reallocating resources, renegotiating contracts, and managing stakeholder expectations (Hwang & Low, 2014).

In many developing economies, including Nigeria, frequent building design adjustments have been identified as a major cause of project delays, cost overruns, disputes, and quality problems (Oladinrin & Ho, 2016). Factors such as inadequate feasibility studies, poor communication among project participants, evolving client demands, and weak regulatory enforcement contribute to unstable designs. As construction projects become more complex and capital-intensive, the ability to manage design changes effectively has become a key determinant of project success (Love et al., 2018).

This study therefore focuses on assessing building design adjustments and their impact on construction project management, with the aim of understanding how such adjustments influence project performance in terms of time, cost, quality, risk, and stakeholder satisfaction.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite advances in construction technologies and project management methodologies, many construction projects continue to experience significant challenges associated with design changes. Building design adjustments often disrupt the planned workflow, leading to rework, material waste, productivity loss, and contractual conflicts (Amoatey & Ankrah, 2017). These problems are more pronounced in environments where projects are initiated with incomplete designs or vague client requirements.

In Nigeria, it is common for construction projects to commence before final designs are fully developed. Clients frequently introduce changes during construction to reflect new preferences, financial constraints, or regulatory directives. Such adjustments can undermine the effectiveness of construction project management by distorting the original project baseline for time, cost, and scope (Olawale & Sun, 2015). Project managers are then forced to operate reactively rather than proactively, increasing the likelihood of project failure.

Furthermore, there is limited empirical evidence on how specific types of design adjustments affect different dimensions of project management practice. While previous studies acknowledge that design changes are problematic, fewer have systematically examined their impact on planning, scheduling, cost control, communication, and risk management in the Nigerian construction context (Oladinrin et al., 2019). This knowledge gap constrains the development of effective strategies for managing design adjustments.

The problem this study seeks to address is the persistent negative effect of building design adjustments on construction project management performance, and the lack of context-specific evidence to guide practitioners in minimizing these impacts.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to assess building design adjustments and their impact on construction project management.

The specific objectives are to:

Identify the common types and causes of building design adjustments in construction projects.

Examine the effects of design adjustments on project time, cost, quality, and risk.

Assess the impact of design changes on key project management functions such as planning, coordination, and control.

Evaluate the strategies used by project managers to manage design adjustments.

Propose measures for improving the management of design changes in construction projects.

1.4 Research Questions

The study seeks to answer the following research questions:

What are the major causes of building design adjustments in construction projects?

How do design adjustments affect project time, cost, and quality performance?

What is the impact of building design changes on construction project management practices?

What strategies are currently used to manage design adjustments?

How can the negative impacts of design changes be minimized?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to several stakeholders in the construction industry. For project managers, it provides insights into how design adjustments influence project performance and offers guidance on managing change effectively. For clients and consultants, the study highlights the importance of clear briefing, comprehensive design development, and timely decision-making (Hwang & Low, 2014).

For contractors, the findings can support better planning for contingencies and improved communication with design teams. Academically, the study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on design management and change control in construction projects, particularly within the Nigerian context. Policymakers and regulatory bodies may also benefit from the recommendations, which can inform guidelines aimed at improving design stability and project delivery outcomes (Oladinrin & Ho, 2016).

1.6 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study is limited to building construction projects and focuses on adjustments made to building designs during the project lifecycle. It examines how these adjustments affect construction project management functions such as planning, scheduling, cost control, coordination, and risk management. The study does not cover infrastructure projects such as roads or bridges, and it is geographically focused on selected construction projects within Nigeria.

1.7 Operational Definition of Key Terms

Building Design Adjustments: Modifications made to the original approved building design during the course of a construction project.

Construction Project Management: The application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements (PMI, 2021).

Project Performance: The extent to which a project achieves its objectives in terms of time, cost, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Design Change Management: The process of identifying, evaluating, approving, and implementing changes to the project design in a controlled manner.

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