Critical Success Factors of the Briefing Process for Construction Projects

Abstract

Although various factors have been identified as important for a successful briefing process, few studies appear to have undertaken a comprehensive analysis using factor analysis to systematically categorize the views of professionals on the relative importance of briefing process critical success factors (CSFs). This paper is intended to fill this research gap. A survey was conducted in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia to collect the opinions of construction professionals regarding CSFs for construction project briefing. Through factor analysis, reliability, and validity analyses, the following seven CSFs were established: (1) client’s business, organization, and project requirements; (2) requirements of stakeholders; (3) knowledge, experience, and cultural background of the stakeholders; (4) decision making and management skills of the senior project managers; (5) competence of the design team; (6) balanced interest of the stakeholders; and (7) the process of briefing. Although this research study involves a limited sample size, the survey findings and hands-on experience of the relevant industrial practitioners can be cross referenced to similar investigations in other parts of the world for international comparisons. The CSFs systematically identified and categorized enable practitioners in the construction industry to manage the briefing process successfully.