Feasibility study of four dimension (4D) virtual construction tool to mitigate delays during contruction

Abstract

The problem of delays in the construction industry is a global phenomenon and the construction industry in Malaysia is no exception. In the current day context, despite significant benefits in terms of time and cost savings gained through the systematic use of 4D technologies on construction projects, Malaysian construction industry has yet to embrace this 4D CAD technology. A feasibility study on the acceptability of 4D planning tool as a tool to mitigate delays during project control is explored among construction practitioners focussing on the construction phase of project life cycle. Surveys and semi-structured interviews were accomplished on 169 respondents comprising the clients (owners), Local Authorities or Regulatory Bodies (JKR), contractors and consultants (architects, C&S engineers, M&E engineers, quantity surveyors). The sampling method used in this study is stratified by convenience through referral networks and former project team members. Out of 164 valid samples, 50% were from C&S Engineers, 22.6% were from M&E Engineers, 17.7% were from Architects, 6.7% were from Quantity Surveyors and the remaining 3% were from others. The responses obtained from this survey indicates that about 96.3% of the overall samples acknowledges the application of this new 4D technology as a useful tool with good potential to mitigate delays in relation to visualization, analysis and communication. However, responses obtained from the semi-structured interviews indicates cost, skilled resources, mindset/ attitude and bureaucracy as factors that might hinder the application of this 4D planning tool at workplace. The top 5 common causes of project delays identified from this study are 50.3% by contractor’s poor site management, 45.6% by contractor’s financial problems, 45% by client’s slowness in making decision, 34.9% by consultant’s poor supervision and decision making and finally, 31.4% by contractor’s construction mistakes and defective works. Based on the outcome of the study, it is recommended that financial and technical support be made available before its actual implementation can be realized in our Malaysian industry.