Thematic Analysis of Successful and Unsuccessful Project Delivery Teams in the Building Construction Industry

Abstract

Many critical success factors (CSFs) have been identified and tested over the years to aid resource-constrained project managers in delivering successful building construction projects. Human- or team-related success factors, in particular, have received more attention lately due to the benefits of effective collaboration among designers, contractors, and specialty trades. However, as a management tool, CSFs were never intended to be static. Recent technological and contracting advancements are changing the way that project delivery teams interact, and previously identified success factors may be less applicable to contemporary projects. The purpose of this research was to identify current team-related success factors through a thematic analysis of interviews conducted with project leaders on nine highly successful and seven highly unsuccessful projects, as defined by their cost and schedule performance. Specific examples from each interview were coded into 32 general statements. Commonalities in these statements were then developed using specific case contexts into nine subthemes and four overarching key themes. The key themes, which characterize success factors arising within the team, included: removing barriers to communication, developing a relational project culture, understanding the owner’s role, and promoting autonomy. When compared to prior research, these results provide insight into how team-related success factors in the construction industry have evolved over time and establish a direction for building effective project delivery teams in the future. Specifically, these themes are more strategic than tactical, and focus on enabling teams to best leverage the competencies of individual members.