The impacts of project complexity on cost estimation in Uganda

Abstract

Construction projects are often described as being complex, however, the factors which make a project complex and the impact that they have upon a project are not widely understood. As part of a global research project aimed at establishing the impact of project complexity at the preconstruction stage, research has been carried out to investigate these factors. Interviews with the construction industry experts were conducted to establish a current definition of project complexity in the context of the construction industry as well as to identify the factors of project complexity and other aspects of a project. Case studies were then analyzed to establish the frequency and impact of the project complexity factors. The research has identified factors of complexity; however, there is a need to develop a methodology to effectively measure the complexity of a project focusing specifically on the pre-construction stage. In this report were analyzed, based on a research methodology, relations between the factors that determine what types of cost estimates of construction projects and approaches used in making cost estimates. The analysis made led to the confirmation of a research hypotheses: a strong positive correlation on information about project complexity not being gathered in the cost estimates process of construction was obtained. The primary purpose of this research is to contribute to the understanding of the practices used by Cost Estimators to obtain information before the estimation process on projects of high complexity. The research questions explore the relationship between the cost estimation processes used and perceived project complexity; the prevalence of cost estimation processes considered to be general prescribed standards; and the factors herein called dimensions that make a project complex.