Attaining Successful Construction Project Execution Through Personnel and Communication

Abstract

Prior research has disagreed on the definition of construction project success and the best way to achieve it. Additionally, there is very little research that takes a practitioner’s viewpoint and provides findings useful to project managers in their day-to-day dealings. To fill this gap, the following research was conducted to determine the social mechanisms used by project managers and project teams to achieve success. The research includes an in-depth literature review, along with a two-part qualitative study consisting of thirty semistructured interviews with current or former construction project managers. Focusing on project personnel and communication as the key ingredients, a model of antecedents and causal social mechanisms is developed. The constructs, or antecedents, to personnel are planning, choosing, and retaining. The constructs, or antecedents, to communication are frequency, understanding, and inclusivity. The causal social mechanisms that lead from the antecedents to success are described in detail and benefit practitioners because they provide both the novice and the experienced construction project manager with insights into the “how” and not just the “what” of previously identified critical success factors.