Previous research on building pre-tender cost estimating stresses the importance of giving accurate estimates and minimizing estimating errors. Cost models, especially those mathematical models using mean square error or the like for model training and validation, often treat positive errors...

This note is a comment on Chinyio, E.A., Olomolaiye, P.O., Kometa, S.T. and Harris, F.C. (1998) A needs based methodology for classifying construction clients and selecting contractors, Construction Management and Economics, 16(1), 91-98, which describes research aimed at classifying clients by...

John Raftery (1993), in his Inaugural Lecture at the University of Greenwich, suggested that project cost estimates be presented in the form of cumulative probability functions (termed here 'Raftery curves') rather than the current practice of single-point estimates. This paper describes a...

A theoretical framework is proposed for determining the minimum number of bidders in competition for projects in the construction industry. This is based on the neo-classical micro-economic theory for price determination in construction and the assumption of random contractor-selection....

The construction industry is an industry of major strategic importance. Its level of productivity has a significant effect on national economic growth. Productivity indicators are examined. The indicators consist of labour productivity, capital productivity, labour competitiveness, capital...

Client owners usually need an estimate or forecast of their likely building costs in advance of detailed design in order to confirm the financial feasibility of their projects. Because of their timing in the project life cycle, these early stage forecasts are characterized by the minimal amount...

Performance in the construction industry is increasingly scrutinized as a result of the delays, cost overruns and poor quality of the industry's products and services. Increasingly, disputes, conflicts and mismatches of objectives among participants are contributory factors. Performance...

Mobile/tower cranes are the most essential forms of construction plant in use in the construction industry but are also the subject of several safety issues. Of these, blind lifting has been found to be one of the most hazardous of crane operations. To improve the situation, a real-time...

Construction projects can involve a diverse range of stakeholders and the success of the project depends very much on fulfilling their needs and expectations. It is important, therefore, to identify and recognize project stakeholders and develop a rigorous stakeholder management process....