Assessment of the challenges for project closure practices in Ghana: a case study of the shopping malls in Ghana
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Date
2019-11
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KNUST
Abstract
The study sought to investigate the effectiveness of the project closure practices used in the
Ghanaian construction industry. To achieve the aim, the study set out three objectives: to
examine construction project closure practices in the Ghanaian construction industry; to
evaluate challenges associated with project closure practices in the Ghanaian construction
industry; and to establish strategies to mitigate the outlined challenges of project closure
practices in the Ghanaian construction industry. The study employed the quantitative method
of research. Questionnaires were developed and distributed among fifty-nine (59)
respondents comprising of construction project professionals from the construction of four
of shopping malls in Ghana namely the Accra Mall, the West Hills Mall, the Kumasi City
Mall and the Takoradi Mall. Fourteen (14) belonged to the employee of owner/client, twenty
(20) were employees of contractor while the remaining twenty-five (25) belonged to
employee of consultant of construction projects. Data collected were analyzed by means of
Relative Importance Index (RII) and the mean-score. The study revealed that the general
practice of closing the project consisted of contractual and administrative closure practices.
Majority of eighty percent (80%) practiced the contractual closure practices. Further, the
study identified eleven (11) factors of challenges related to the construction project closure
practices which “contractor related activities” was ranked as the highest challenge
hampering the effectiveness of construction project closure practice. It was also revealed by
the study that, effective communication and co-ordination should be exercised during
construction by all stakeholders as that was ranked as the highest strategy to foster effective
construction project closure practice. The study recommends that administrative closure
practices should also be practiced frequently by the construction project managers just as
they practice the contractual closure practice. Also, provision of “certificate of beneficial
occupancy to the owner to use the facility” must be encouraged to be done for all
construction project closures. Lastly, the study recommends the importance of a close out
schedule, that, it is agreed to by all stakeholders so that everyone’s requirements can be met.
There is the need to circulate this early (efficient communication) so each one can work
towards this and ease the handing over process at the end.
Description
A thesis submitted to the department of Construction Technology and Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award degree of Master of Science in Construction Management