Number Of Variations And The Impact Of Variations

Number Of revolutions And The Impact Of VariationsControls for Variations and Variation Orders gravel been suggested by some researchers(Mokhtar et al., 2000 Ibbs et al., 2001). Below are 30 fire identified from a literature review to squinch number and the opposition of Variations. These approach were categorized into three categories aim stage, Construction stage and Design-Construction interface stage.Design Stage Approach to Control VariationsItemVariation Reduction approachDescriptions theme1 round of contract documents world-wide and balanced Variation cla utilizations would be back upful in improving coordination and communication quality .Conflicts surrounded by contract documents tooshie result in misinterpretation of the actual requirement of a project.(CII, 1994a)2Freezing goalVariations in project can affect a project adversely depending on the timingof the occurrence of the channelizes. Therefore, freezing the design is a strong control method.Many owners fr eeze the design and close the door for variations after the completion of the drawings.(CII, 1990a)3Value engineering at conceptual phaseDuring the design phase, value engineering can be a cost saving exercise, as at this stage, Variation in any design element would not require rework or demolition at the construction site. Value engineering at the conceptual stage can instigate in clarifying project objectives and minify design discrepancies.(DellIsola, 1982).4 interest group of professionals at initial stages of projectInvolvement of professionals in design may assist in developing better designs by accommodating their creative and practical ideas. This practices would assist in developing a comprehensive design with minimum discrepancies .Practical ideas that are not accommodated during the design phase may affect the project adversely. Variation during the construction phase is a expensive activity as it may initiate numerous changes to construction activities.(Arain et al., 2004)(OBrien, 1998).5Employers involvement at planning and design phaseInvolvement of the Employer at thedesign phase would assist in clarifying the project objectives and identifying disobedience with their requirements at the early stage .Hence, this may help in eliminating Variations during the construction stage where the impact of the Variations can be severe(Fisk, 1997)6Involvement of contractor at planning and scheduling processInvolvement of the Employer at the design phase would assist in clarifying the project objectives and identifying noncompliance with their requirements at the early stage .Hence, this may help in eliminating Variations during the construction stage where the impact of the variations can be severe.(Fisk, 1997).7Thorough detailing of designA clearer design tends to be comprehended more readily. This would in like manner assist in identifying the errors and omissions in design at an early stage. Eventually, ingrained detailing of design can eliminate Va riations arising from ambiguities and errors in design.(OBrien, 1998)8Clear and thorough project briefA clear and thorough project brief is an important control for Variations in construction projects as it helps in clarifying the project objectives to all the participants. Eventually, this may reduce the design errors and noncompliance with the Employers requirements.(OBrien, 1998)9Reducing contingency sumThe provision of a large contingency sum may affect the construction team working approaches. This is be case the fountain may not develop a comprehensive design and would consequently carry out the rectifications in design as Variations during the by and by stages of the construction project. Therefore, reducing the contingency sum would be reformatory in ensuring that the professionals carry out their jobs with lotion.Construction Stage Approach to Control VariationsItemVariation Reduction approachDescriptionsSource1Clarity of Variation Order proceduresClarity of Variation O rder procedures is an integral part of effective worry of Variation Orders. Early in the project construction stage, the procedures should be identified and made clear to all parties. Clarity of Variation Order procedures would help in reducing the processing clock and other mishandling issues.(Mokhtar et al., 2000)(Ibbs et al., 2001).2Written approvalsAny Variation in the work that involves a change in the original price must be approve in writing by the Employer before a Variation can be executed. Any party signing of behalf of the Employer must have written countenance from the Employer. It is difficult to prove the right for compensation if there is no such authorization from the Employer. In the hectic environment of construction, many verbal agreements can be forgotten, leaving the Contractor without any legal proof to get compensation for the Variations works.(CII,1990a Hester et al., 1991 Cox, 1997).3Variation Order stretchA tumefy defined scope can assist the professi onal team in recognizing and planning appropriately to minimize the negative impact of the Variation. The original scope should be clear and well defined to distinguish between a Variation of scope and a Variation due to design development. It is common that there are disagreement between parties in a project was about defining the Variation scope. Thus, the effective definition of the scope of work helps us to identify and manage Variations.(Ibbs et al. 2001).(CII ,1994b)4Variation logic and apologyVariation logic and justification for implementation was one of the principles of effective change management. This principle required a change to be sort as required or elective. Required changes were required to meet original objectives of the project while elective changes were additional features that enhanced the project. Knowing the logic and justification behind the proposedVariations assist the professionals in promoting beneficial Variations and eliminating non-beneficial Varia tions.Proposed by (Ibbs et al. 2001).5Appointment Project manager from an independent firm to manage the projectInvolvement of a project manager from an independent firm would assist in eliminating Variations that arise due to the lack of coordination among professionals. This practice may assist in reducing design discrepancies done early reviews of the contract documents and drawings.(Arain et al., 2004)6Restricted pre-qualification system for awarding projectsA restricted pre-qualification system for awarding projects would act as a sift to select only the capable Contractors for project bids.(Chan and Yeong, 1995 Fisk, 1997)7Employers involvement during construction phaseInvolvement of the Employer during the construction phase would assist in identifying noncompliance with the requirements and in approving the Variations promptly .The involvement of the Employer during the construction phase allows to keep him aware of ongoing activities and assist in prompt decision making.(I bbs et al., 2001).8Avoid use of open tenderingCompetitive open tendering usually encourages the Contractor to price very low to win the contract, especially in bad times when they are in need of jobs. This practice would give rise to the Contractor trying to claim more to compensate for the low price award. Avoiding the use of open tender would help in eliminating the risks of unfair bids. This may also help in reduces Variations that may arise due to the contractors bidding strategy.(Chan and Yeong, 1995)9 role of project scheduling/management techniquesTo manage a Variation means beingable to anticipate its effects and to control, or at least monitor, the associated cost and time impact. The most know scheduling techniques in the construction industry are CPM, PERT and Gantt chart Microsoft Project These techniques are facilitatory in identifying the critical path of any Variations on subsequent construction activities. Well planned and close monitoring on the schedule plan will helps to reduce the Variations effects on the project.(Hester et al., 1991)(Clough and Sears, 1994).(Mokhtar et al., 2000).10Comprehensive documentation of variation orderThrough timely notification anddocumentation of Variation Orders, participants will have kept their rights and thereby their option to pursue a subsequent claim or to defend against a claim. One of the most aggravating conditions is the length of time that elapses between the time when a proposed contract limiting is first denote and when the matter is finally rejected or approved as a Variation Order. Documentation of Variation and claims had assisted in introduce the effects of the Variation and claim events on time and cost. A documented source of knowledge about previous Variation instructions would be helpful in making decisions concerning the appropriate handling of Variation instructions.(Cox, 1997 OBrien, 1998).(Fisk, 1997)Cox (1997)Design-Construction Interface Stage Approach to Control VariationsItemVa riation Reduction approachDescriptionsSource1Prompt approval proceduresOne of the most aggravating conditions is the length of time that elapses between the time when a proposed contract modification is first announced and when the matter is finally rejected or approved as a Variation .However, the longer the period between recognition and implementation, the more costly the change will be.(Fisk, 1997).2Ability to negotiate VariationAbility to negotiate Variation is an important factor for the effective control of Variations. Effective negotiation can assist the professional team in minimizing the negative impacts of the Variation. There are certain skills required for effective negotiation of Variations, i.e., the knowledge of contract terms, project details, technology, wear rates, equipment, methods and communication skills.(Clough and Sears, 1994)(Cushmanand Butler, 1994)3Valuation of indirect effectsConsequential effects can occur later in the downstream phases of a project. T herefore, it is essential to grant this possibility and establish the mechanism to evaluate its consequences.Professionals should thus evaluate the total overall effects a change may have on the later phases of a project, in order to manage the Variations effectively.(Ibbs et al., 2001).4Team effort by Employer, consultant and Contractor to control VariationCoordination is important in a multi-participant environment as in most construction projects Detrimental Variations, which affect the projects negatively, can usually be managed at an early stage with due diligence in coordination.(CII, 1994a Assaf et al., 1995).5Utilize work breakdown structureA work breakdown structure (WBS) is a management tool for identifying and defining work. A Contractor should consider using the this as an evaluation tool, especially on large projects. If a Variation involves work not previously included in the WBS, it can be logically added to the WBS and its relationship with the other WBS element can be easily checked. Domino effects can also be traced by the use of WBS.(Hester et al., 1991 Mokhtar et al., 2000).(Hester et al., 1991)6Continuous coordination and direct communicationcoordination, and frequent communicationare essential to reduce miscommunication among team members, hence reduce the chances of occurring Variations(Assaf et al.,1995).7Control the potential for Variations to arise through contractual clausesSelection of the appropriate standard contract form (JKR, PAM2006 etc) with the necessary and unambiguous Variation clauses would be helpful in the management of Variations.Clear procedures presented in the contract and fair allocation of risks can help in resolving disputes through negotiation sort of than litigation.(Cox, 1997)8Comprehensive site investigationComprehensive site investigations assist in proper planning for construction activities. Differing site conditions are an important cause of delays in large building projects.Therefore, a comprehensive si te investigation would help in reducing potential Variations in a project.(Fisk, 1997).9Use of collected and organized project data compiled by Employer, consultant and ContractorThe Variations works should always be documented for future references. Hence, better controls for Variations were achievable by sharing a database compiled by all the team members(Fisk,1997).10Knowledge-base of previous similar projectsFrom the outset, project strategies and philosophies should take advantage of lessons learned from past similar projects. If professionals have a knowledge-base established on past similar projects, it would assist the professional team to plan more effectively before starting a project, both during the design phase as well as during the construction phase, minimize and control Variations and their effects.(CII, 1994b).11Comprehensive analysis and prompt decision making through computerizedknowledge-based decision support systemA Decision Support System (DSS) approach for ma nagement decisions seems to be the ideal approach to follow. The system would be helpful in presenting an example scenario of the causes of Variations, their relevant effects and potential controls that would assist in decision making at the early stage of the Variations occurring.(Miresco andPomerol, 1995).