Development of a computerised job plan tool for the procurement planning of design and build projects

Abstract

Value engineering in procurement processes is a tool for improving cost-savings while meeting the end-user requirements. However, if the value engineering process is not improved, it leads to increased use of capital, which exceeds planned budget at the initial phase, cause time extensions for the project and inefficient projects delivered. Therefore, this study applied a value engineering approach to study and improve the procurement process of construction projects focusing on an automated baggage-handling system at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. The main research instruments were the questionnaires using 20 unstructured interviews and value engineering job plan. The performance evaluation framework for this study was conducted around seven quality dimension attributes including system reliability, capital cost effectiveness, user comfort, operations and maintenance, security/ safety, schedule and system availability. The study revealed that end-user’s participation is critical in value engineering processes. 53% strongly agree and 34% agree with a procurement process where the end user is involved, while 6% strongly disagree with this approach of being involved. Furthermore, the end-users can easily appreciate and implement value management methodologies when minimally trained. By introducing a computerized system, the value system of end users can be identified and accounted for. The study also revealed that the information phase is equally the responsibility of the end-users and consultant, functional phase as the responsibility of the end user and consultant, while the creation phase is primarily the responsibility of the end user and consultant, evaluation phase becomes the responsibility of the consultant and end user department (only technical personnel), while development phase entirely involves end user and consultant but predominantly the consultant. The computerised program based on the job plan process concluded that that the warehouse alternative met all the requirements of the quality matrix attributes and therefore, a better and cheaper alternative to replace the BHS. In summary, it was concluded that the warehouse option was more cost effective compared to the BHS and cost savings of 41.5% would be achieved. This implies that value engineering has significant benefits in terms of both project improvement areas and cost-savings. This study concludes that the government should enact policies / key amendments to the PPDA act such inclusion as value management practices in order to improve on the procurement performance.