Identifying key performance indicators for use in control of pre‐project stage process in construction

Purpose - The need for measuring construction project performance has led to development and implementation of various key performance indicators (KPIs). This paper aims to present and discuss the results of a pilot study and interviews to identify process-based KPIs for use in control of the pre-project stage. Design/methodology/approach - Initially, the process of the pre-project stage was mapped to define its main generic sub-processes and outputs based on the literature review. The process map was then verified through a pilot study. Based on the verified sub-processes, a number of process-based KPIs were identified and later validated by experts during the interviews. Findings - As a consequence of the refinement process due to the results of the pilot study and the interviews, the process-based KPIs for the pre-project stage were identified and the main issues they have to encompass were discussed. Originality/value - The identified KPIs offer a significant step towards process control within the pre-project stage. They provide a basis for further development to improve process transparency and to explain the relationships between the various sub-processes.

[1]  R. Thomas,et al.  THE IMPORTANCE OF PROJECT CULTURE IN ACHIEVING QUALITY OUTCOMES IN CONSTRUCTION , 2002 .

[2]  G. Edward Gibson,et al.  What is preproject planning, anyway? , 2006 .

[3]  Walid Belassi,et al.  A new framework for determining critical success/failure factors in projects , 1996 .

[4]  Nabil Kartam,et al.  A project control process in pre‐construction phases , 2005 .

[5]  James S. Noble,et al.  The changing basis of performance measurement , 1996 .

[6]  A. Sivathanu Pillai,et al.  Performance measurement of R&D projects in a multi-project, concurrent engineering environment , 2002 .

[7]  Lauri Koskela,et al.  An exploration towards a production theory and its application to construction , 2000 .

[8]  Christine Pasquire,et al.  Drivers for dynamic brief development in construction , 2004 .

[9]  Lia Buarque de Macedo Guimarães,et al.  Safety and production: an integrated planning and control model , 2004 .

[10]  G. Edward Gibson,et al.  Scope Management Using Project Definition Rating Index , 1997 .

[11]  T. Thorpe,et al.  KPIs: a critical appraisal of their use in construction , 2004 .

[12]  Derek H.T. Walker,et al.  An investigation into construction time performance , 1995 .

[13]  Rainer Feurer,et al.  Strategy formulation: a learning methodology , 1995 .

[14]  R. A. Mohsini,et al.  Determinants of performance in the traditional building process , 1992 .

[15]  Jim Smith,et al.  Strategic needs analysis: its role in brief development , 2000 .

[16]  Steven Davis,et al.  Lessons Learnt in Developing Effective Performance Measures for Construction Safety Management , 2004 .

[17]  Tutu Wegelius-Lehtonen,et al.  Performance measurement in construction logistics , 2001 .

[18]  E. V. Van Teijlingen,et al.  The importance of pilot studies. , 2002, Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987).

[19]  R. M. Woodhead.  Investigation of the early stages of project formulation , 2000 .

[20]  S. Ward,et al.  Objectives and performance in construction projects , 1991 .