Postconstruction Evaluation

Abstract

The Construction Industry Institute in Australia, modeled on the U.S. group of the same title, published a “Constructability Principles File” in November 1992. These principles include precepts used in conducting a postconstruction analysis by a project team drawn from the staff of Prince-Bisley Pty. Ltd., Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, and the University of Southern Queensland. There may be a danger in conducting such an evaluation if participants wrongly believe that managers will seek to apportion blame for disappointing outcomes. A protocol was therefore established and is presented in this paper; the protocol clearly sets out guidelines and states that the aim is not to seek scapegoats but to improve company performance. Case-study material is presented for a feed mill project, that was designed and fabricated in Australia for erection in China, which ran over budget and was late in shipment. Feedback from participants in the review is summarized, together with recommendations for action by management to improve the organization's performance on similar future projects. Experience has shown that postconstruction evaluation is a valuable exercise.