Complexity Analysis of Design Deliverable Defects on Building Projects

Abstract

As building projects become increasingly complex, project teams find it ever more challenging to produce satisfactory design deliverables. This study examined in-depth the complexity embedded in design quality problems on building construction projects. The research had two objectives: (1) identifying the types of complexity within problematic design deliverables; and (2) identifying any associations between the complexity type and the contributing causal factors/impacts of their design defects. Specifically, the authors determined the type of complexity (i.e., technical or organizational) inherent in each of a set of leading indicators of these design defects, and then analyzed the data. This analysis revealed that the problematic deliverables entailed more technical than organizational complexity. Furthermore, whether a defective deliverable had technical or organizational complexity depended on which causal factors contributed to its defects. However, there was no significant difference between the two types of complexity in terms of the impacts of the design defects. By exploring the nature and dynamics of design defects in problematic deliverables, this study provides in-depth understanding of the interactions between complexity and design problems. Using these insights, industry practitioners can detect and mitigate the causes and effects of design defects for better quality management on building projects.