Analyzing the Quality Problems and Defects of Design Deliverables on Building Projects

Abstract

Since poor design deliverables can generate significant project cost overruns and schedule delays, producing high-quality design deliverables is critical. To improve design quality on building projects, this study focuses on identifying quality-problematic design deliverables and their associated design defects. The authors surveyed 51 industry professionals, asking them to assess the frequency of quality problems on 84 common building design deliverables. From this survey, 14 design deliverables were identified as problematic. Then, the survey results were analyzed in two different ways: according to the area of expertise of the respondents and organization type. The results showed significant differences between the two groups in each case in assessing the frequency of the 14 problematic design deliverables. In addition, the authors identified a total of 47 high-priority design defects associated with the problematic design deliverables through conducting phone interviews with 66 professionals. The results of these research activities offer comprehensive insight into design deliverable quality problems to enable practitioners to enhance overall design quality on building projects.