INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM) IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM) IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

ABSTRACT

The complex nature of the construction project and the unstable nature of Nigerian economy result in cost escalation of construction materials and equipments and untimely completion of project make it necessary to employ the use of project management practices Nigeria. Investigations were carried out through administration of questionnaire and data were collected from professionals firms, such as quantity surveyor, architects and engineers. The statistical tools used in analyzing the data include tables and simple percentages. The findings obtained after analysis of the data from the questionnaire, shows that there is a standard practice of project management in Nigeria. Problems such as clients not stating their requirements to the project manager, late appointment of manager and denial of project manager proper authority to execute their function which causes most of the problems associated with project management services. And suggestions were made in an attempt to find solution to the problems which include advice offered to the client to employ project managers at the inception and state the requirement clearly to them, so that they can state the requirement clearly to them, so that they can execute their functions to achieve project objectives.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The management of construction projects requires knowledge of modem management as well as an understanding of the design and construction process (http://www.cecmu.ed). According to David (2006) a project is define as a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique project or services. Temporary means that every project has a definite beginning and a definite end. Unique means that the product or services is different in some distinguishing way from all similar product Or services. Dannis 2007 define project as capital investment to develop facilities to provide goods and services. From the above definitions of project, all projects require management and management has been given a number of definitions among which are: Martin defines management as “the planning, organizing, directing and controlling of activities of business enterprise”. Martin (2002) defined management as the coordination of all resources of an organization through the process of planning, organizing, budgeting and controlling in order to achieve organization objectives.

Martin (2002) defined management as the coordination of all resources of an organization through the process of planning, organizing, budgeting and controlling in order to achieve organization objectives.

The management of project adhesive known as project management according to (CIOB 2002) project management as the overall planning coordination and control of a project from inception to completion, aimed at meeting a clients requirement in order to produce a functionally and financially viable project that will be completed on time within authorized cost and to the required quality standards.

Adoptability is defines as the acceptance of a particular method or policy in order to achieve certain objectives (Oxford advance Dictionary, 6th edition).

Adoption of project management was often more accepted, placing the project manager functional manager and project professionals in indigenous roles trying to support project needs, Lock (2007).

1.2     STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

In Nigeria, the implementation of modern project management tools methods and techniques is still not well established in public sector, this result into failure of public institutions and their contractor in performing their duties concerning the budget, specification and deadlines in project delivery and lack of financial support as barriers to successful project planning and execution in Nigeria public sector, Idoro and Ajayi (2009). The difficult nature of construction project, resulting to cost overshoot of construction materials and equipment, also affect delay in project completion makes it pertinent in adopting the application of project management.

1.3     NEED OF THE STUDY

The growing need for a better understanding of the clients requirement in terms of functionality, financial control, time and a very much better clearer coordination of the work of consultants and contractors have all contributed to the need for project management. The complex nature of Nigeria economy, resulting in cost escalation of construction materials and equipments and untimely completion of projects making it necessary to employ the use of project management. Clients are becoming more certain in their requirement, they demand for timely completion of the project as well as keeping the project cost within budget so as to obtain good value for their money. David (2006).

1.4     AIM AND OBJECTIVES

1. To investigate the extent of adoption of project management practices in the Nigerian construction industry.

 1.5     OBJECTIVES

1. To identify the project management practice in the Nigerian construction industry.
2. To determine the extent of adoption of project management practice in the Nigerian construction industry.
3. To establish if there is a barrier in adoption of project management practice.

1.6     SCOPE

This research work is carried out in construction firms that practice project management within the period of 2010 to 2015. And the research will be centered to the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

1.7     LIMITATION

The researcher, no doubt undergoes some difficulties in carrying out this research work. difficulties of access to vital information which was treated by the staff of the organization as confidential.

Some documents containing informations which may be vital to the research work was withheld by the staff of the organization. Thereby making it difficult to access them.

Procedures for storing information in some organization, serves also as limiting factors due to increase in obtaining them.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1     HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Modern project management emerged between the yearly 30’s and 50’s. This was in an attempt to solve the three principle constraints of project development in the construction industry. These are cost, time and quality. The evaluation of project management has been closely related to:

1. The development of systems engineering in the United States of America Defence and Aerospace industry.
2. The engineering management in the process engineering industry in Europe and USA.
3. The development in modern management theory, particularly