Impact of Building Materials Management on Project Delivery in Nigeria
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of the study is to investigate the impact of building materials management on project delivery in Nigeria. But for the successful completion of the study, the researcher intends to achieve the following sub-objectives:
- To investigate the impact of building material management on project delivery
- To ascertain the role of material management in project delivery
- To investigate the relationship between material management and project completion
- To ascertain the effect of material management on the quality of the building
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
The Webster’s dictionary defines materials as ‘the elements, constituents or substances of which something is composed or can be made’. Ballot (2006) defines materials as the physical materials that are purchased and used to produce the final product and does not suggest that materials are the final product. In other words, materials are the parts used to produce the final product. Bailey et al (2009) define materials as the goods purchased from sources out of the organisation that are used to produce finished products. Stukhart (2007) defines materials as the items that are used to produce a product and which include raw materials, parts, suppliers and equipment items. Dobler and Burt (2009) classify materials into five categories. These categories are:
Raw materials these are materials that the company converts into processed parts. This might include parts significantly produced for the company and parts bought directly from the shelf. For example bolts and nuts.
Purchased parts These are parts that the company buys from outsiders. For example rubber and plastic parts
Manufactured parts These are parts built by the company. For example tower case for a computer
Work in progress these are semi-finished products found in the various stages in the production process.
MRO Supplies These are maintenance, repairing and operating supplies used in the manufacturing process but are part of the final products. For example soap and lubricating oil. Chandler (2001) states that the construction materials can be classified into different categories depending on their fabrication and in the way that they can handled on site. The categories are
Bulk materials these are materials that are delivered in mass and are deposited in a container
THEORETICAL REVIEW
In the theoretical framework the theory about materials management and codification will be explained. Materials management will be analyzed and every component of importance will be explained. The different systems for codification will be discussed and explained how these are applicable into an organization. The used theory is dated from the period when materials management was in development in the current developed countries. The developing countries are in the same situation right now, so that is why this theory is applicable. The most recent theory about materials management is to optimize the computer systems where developing countries still need to start implementing them.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter deals with the method used in collecting data required in carrying out this research work it explains the procedures that were followed and the instrument used in collecting data.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment, the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as by products of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information for the study impact of building material management on project delivery in Nigeria, in the course of the study 200 staff of Gito construction company was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the impact of building materials management on project delivery in Nigeria.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of material management on project delivery on building sites in Nigeria.
Summary
Building material management problems are usually the result of using poor processes and practices or no use of support systems. The materials management process is much more complex than the uninitiated understand. Only a sophisticated tracking system does not improve the bottom line, important is how to use the information that the system provides. It can be summarized that the issue of materials management is quite a complex problem because of the interweaved process into the organization. Gito itself is very well organized concerning the materials procurement but internal not the same ‘language’ is spoken. This language is about the used information but also about the used programs what means that the management tools are used on an incorrect and/or inefficient manner. The different functions concerning materials management described in the theory are also part of Gito’s organization. The different functions are accommodated in different departments. The main departments involved in the materials procurement are: Design, Engineering, Budget, Purchase, Accounting and Administration. The departments are having their own responsibilities and every department has its responsible person for that responsibility. So the functions of materials management are divided into departments but there is no single manager responsibility and authority for all functions concerning with the flow of materials. This single manager responsibility and authority is however an important detail of materials management. This missing detail of materials management is one of the most important causes why the different departments do not speak the same ‘language’. All the departments are using different programs for their own responsibility but also different information. By having specific goals per department, sub‐ optimization is being operative. The main thrust of the materials management concept is to avoid sub‐ optimization; to look for system efficiency and effectiveness; and to help ensure the achievement of common objectives rather than those which apply to elements within the system, which may be competing one with another.
Conclusion
Haven successfully completed the study, the researcher therefore concludes that the use of security measures on site, recording of use and inventory of materials during construction and the preparation and monitoring of material schedule were the major material management approaches used on site in Lagos state. The causes of time overrun were the combination of owner finance-related problems, material management, labour-related problem, contractor-related problems, variation order and weather.
The more the number of material management approach employed on site, the more the reduction in the time overrun, which points out that material management has effect on project completion time.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the existing material management approach in use should be improved so as to prevent shortage of materials on site or the non-availability of material as and when required on site and this can be achieved if:
The site manager or project manger prepare and monitor material schedule on all projects.
The site manger makes it compulsory for the store keeper to record the use and inventory of material on daily basis during the construction process, to enable him or her alert or inform the necessary authority if there is shortage of any material, for prompt ordering.
Most sites should employ personnel to secure the material on site during the day and at night to ensure that all materials are protected from theft or pilfering.
Construction companies should make use of more than one material management technique on construction projects so as to reduce the variation in scheduled completion time.
Reference
- Abdul-Rahman,. H. and Alidrisyi, M. N. (1994) “A Perspective of Material Management Practices in a Fast Developing Economy; the case of Malaysia”. Construction Management and Economics, 12, 412-422.
- A.K. Chitale, R. G. (2007). Materials Management. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd
- Aibinu A.A and Jagboro G.O (2002): “The Effects of Construction Delays on Projects Delivery in Nigeria Construction Industry”. International Journal of Project Management, 20, 593-599
- Al-Jibouri, S. (2002): “Effects of Resource Management Techniques on Projects Schedules”. International Journal of Project Management, 20, 627-632
- Assaf, S.A., Al-Khalil, M. and Al-Hazmi M. (1995): “Causes of Delay in Large Building Construction Projects”. Journal of Management in Engineering March/April.
- Choudhury, I. and Phatak, O. (2004): “Correlates of time Overrun in Commercial Construction”. ASC Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, April 8-10.
