Suggestions on Efficient Cost Management for Public Construction Projects - Focused on Total Project Cost Management System-

PurposePrevious studies have highlighted that overheads form a critical part of the total project cost. However, despite this knowledge, the precise estimation of overheads is often neglected in construction projects. This paper aims to examine the reasons for the lack of effort in estimation of overheads.Design/methodology/approachThe study is carried out in three stages. In stage one, an introductory survey is carried to understand the importance of overheads in total project cost. In stage two, a detailed survey is carried out to understand the factors that affect the level of accuracy and compromise made in estimation of overheads using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). In the final stage, two cases are examined in form of interviews to validate the findings. The model is tested for its reliability, validity and goodness of fit.FindingsThe findings of the study suggest that the time and cost spent is a critical issue. Therefore, if the projects feel that the benefit cost ratio for time and cost spend in the process is positive, they estimate the overheads accurately, whereas if they feel that the cost benefit ratio for time and cost spend is negative, they compromise with accurate estimation. Further, there is a lot of subjectivity in defining and processing overheads that leads to a negative impact on the accuracy level in estimation of overheads. The contract type also influences the compromise in estimation.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, there is scant work that has been carried out on understanding the behavior of overheads and reasons for lack of effort in its accurate estimation in construction projects. Therefore, there are no recent citations in the study. Further, the study being exploratory in nature draws conclusions based on opinion expressed by respondents on survey and interview. Finally, the study is geographically limited as the entire respondent's work in India.Practical implicationsProjects should give due attention to accurate estimation of overheads. Accurate estimation of overheads can help in better control of project margins, thereby serving the profit-maximizing goals of organizations. A conscious effort by industry experts, academicians and researchers can bring some discipline in overhead estimation rather than leaving the critical domain only to thumb rules or experiential assumptions. The regulatory bodies and the project management bodies are advised to come up with some kind of ready reference that can quickly help estimators to arrive at accurate overhead costs.Originality/valueTo the best of knowledge, it is a rare study to exclusively focus on project overhead cost in construction industry and focus on its estimation efforts. The study also uses a robust research process, which improves the reliability and validity of its findings.

Download Full-text

Improving the Cost Management System at a Construction Enterprise

Business Inform ◽

10.32983/2222-4459-2021-3-225-231 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (518) ◽

pp. 225-231

Author(s):

M. V. Volkova ◽

◽

A. B. Shved ◽

Keyword(s):

Management System ◽

Financial Stability ◽

Construction Projects ◽

Cost Management ◽

General System ◽

Construction Enterprise ◽

Managerial Decisions ◽

Economic Entity ◽

Cost Management System ◽

The Cost

The article improves the cost management system of construction enterprise. It is specified that the process of managing costs at a construction enterprise depends on the efficiency of the existing general system of the organization management and the level of use of certain methods and instruments by which effective managerial decisions are made to ensure financial stability. A definition of a system of cost management of construction enterprise is provided, whereby the system of economic interests and management methods of directed influence on the interests of the economic entity in order to coordinate them with different groups of stakeholders to comply with the relevant proportions in the formation of costs is meant. It is noted that today, in the face of stiff competition in the construction industry of Ukraine and negative trends in the country’s economy related to the COVID-19 pandemic, solution to the issues of improving the cost management system should be based on the concept of strategic management, management in terms of special purpose self-cost, target-costing and kaizen-costing as means of achieving the specified construction enterprise costs. It is concluded that the improvement of the cost management system of construction enterprise is possible on the basis of making effective managerial decisions based on the use of scientifically based approaches to analyzing the cost structure, planning the level of costs, planning profits taking into account the amount of expenses made, along with implementation of an effective system of motivation of employees to control and reduce costs, etc. The proposed cost management system of construction enterprise will allow to organize and purposefully implement a policy of comprehensive reduction of the self-cost of construction products, rationally invest in modern construction projects, and implement the set strategic goals.

Download Full-text