DSpace Repository :: Browsing by Author "Olowa, Theophilus"

Browsing by Author "Olowa, Theophilus"

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Analysis of tendering strategies on the survival of contracting firms in Nigeria.
(Faculty of Environmental Studies University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria., 2015) Olowa, Theophilus; Soliu, Idris; Olorunoje, Lukman
In a competitive tendering situation, contractors constantly face the dilemma of submitting a high price to maximize profit with the possibility of failing to win the contract and thereby suffering a shortage of work. Alternatively, the contractor may submit low prices which wins contract, but show very little or no profit margin. A bidding strategy may be evolved for determining the optimum bid, which will be the relationship between maximum profit and the possibility of being the lowest tenderer (Ashworth, 2002). With the introduction of due process in the procurement of works in the country, especially the public contracts, and the multiplicity of contracting firms, it has become very expedient for contractors to find a way of surviving in the highly competitive environment construction market. The aim of the study is to examine the use of tendering strategies by construction firms in Nigeria as a survival strategy. This study uses cross sectional survey research design to examine the common subjective winning tendering strategies among construction contracting firms in Nigeria. Findings show that Client long term gain or losses which include other sub-factors like amount of work the client carries out regularly, the amount of repeat business level that the client has been following, the client's possible effect by giving recommendations in referral markets, the relationship between the company and the decision makers in the owner's institution and the possibility of solving problems that may occur during work and the client's general procedures to awarding the contracts was identified as the most important factors in tendering decision and percent mark-up to be added to base estimates; tendering strategies/models were rarely used in determining the appropriate mark-up to be allowed for in a tender by contracting firms. However, a few firms do use it with no observed marked difference from those that do not. Respondents identified the unsuitability of tendering models as survival strategies in the Nigerian construction industry as a major factor that negates the use of the different tendering models. A greater proportion of them believe that they were not designed for our kind of environment where reliable data are difficult to come by. It was recommended that when considering tenders for construction projects, contracting firms should give primary attention to client’s long-term gains or losses. This factor should also be weighed when deciding on the most suitable mark-up size for tenders.
APPRAISAL OF APPLICATION OF VALUE ENGINEERING METHODOLOGY IN MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SERVICES INSTALLATIONS
(Penerbit UTM Press, 2015) Amuda-Yusuf, Ganiyu; Sanni, Afeez; Olowa, Theophilus
Value engineering (VE) is a structured team-oriented problem solving approach that can be applied throughout the lifecycle of a building project. However, the methodology is rarely applied in mechanical and electrical services (M&E) installations in buildings because clients are not aware of the potential benefits of adopting VE and different members of design team lack the requisite knowledge about VE methodology. As a result, a great deal of unnecessary cost is created due to the increasingly complex nature of M&E services in buildings leading to cost overruns and unhappy clients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of adoption of VE methodology in the design and installations of M&E services in buildings in Malaysian construction industry. The research method adopted is questionnaire survey to industry practitioners and inferential statistics was adopted for data analysis. Findings from the study show that, VE is not well appreciated in the industry and there is no structured approach adopted for its adoption for the procurement of mechanical and electrical services. Practitioners are of the opinion that implementation of VE could lead to: significant capital and life cycle cost savings in buildings generally; alignment of stakeholders and construction process improvement; improved client satisfaction, and shared understanding among key participants. An implementation framework was developed which emphasised on the need for early involvement of consultants and collaboration between the downstream supply chain for effective implementation of VE methodology on mechanical and electrical services.
Appraisal of planning, monitoring, and controlling tools and techniques on time schedule performance of construction projects in Nigeria
(School Of The Built Environment And Civil Engineering, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, 2021) Olowa, Theophilus; Ibrahiim, Dauda
The need for Project Management tools in developing countries is ever increasing in the face of modern project complexities and clients’ expectations. This study investigates how professionals adapt the use of project management tools and techniques of planning, monitoring and control (PM&C) within the context of Nigerian construction industry to manage schedule performance for positive project outcome. A cross-sectional research design was adopted, and a survey was conducted among 122 construction professionals for this investigation. Analysis of the data collected was achieved by using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 26) predictive analytic software. Findings reveal four and three top contemporary tools/techniques used in engineering and building projects for both planning and monitoring respectively, and their impact on schedule performance of construction projects. While there was a significant positive correlation between tools and techniques used for planning and monitoring with schedule performance, the study did not find a correlation between the control tools/techniques with schedule performance. It was recommended that construction managers could use these findings as checklist for good practice and to improve schedule performance while mitigating construction time overrun.
Barriers to Building Information Modelling Adoption in Nigeria.
(Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria., 2017) Amuda-Yusuf, Ganiyu; Adebiyi, Ranti T.; Olowa, Theophilus; Oladapo, Babatunde I.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) adoption is still evolving in Nigeria and there are no many examples of its usage for project execution by industry practitioners. There is a dearth of studies on how barriers to BIM adoption can be overcome. Following the identification of barriers to BIM adoption from literature, an online survey approach was used to investigate the perception of Nigerian construction industry professionals on the significant barriers to BIM adoption based on a five point Likert scale from 1 “not at all a barrier” to 5 “extreme barriers”. Class means difference among professional group was used to identify barriers to BIM adoption and a discriminant analysis was used to established disagreement among the respondents. The result shows that, the various groups have equal mean discriminant function score on 16 barrier factors to BIM adoption, indicating agreement in the opinion of the groups on these factors. However, 5 items have the most significant predictive power in differentiating the professional groups from the standpoint of perceived barriers to BIM adoption. Implying that there is difference of opinion between the group on whether the 5 factors constitute barriers to BIM adoption or not. The factors in order of magnitude are: clients low level of awareness, lack of funding, poor power supply, legal uncertainty and lack of transparency. The barrier factors identified in this study will assist industry stakeholders in formulating appropriate strategies to overcome them in order to ensure successful BIM implementation. Findings from this study indicates the need for construction industry stakeholders to encourage practitioners to adopt BIM at various level for project execution.
BIM for Construction Education: Initial Findings from a Literature Review
(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2019) Olowa, Theophilus; Witt, Emlyn; Lill, Irene
Purpose – BIM education for construction professionals has tended to lag industry developments. This investigation initiates doctoral research into the use of BIM for construction education. The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of existing examples of BIM education, their characteristics, the challenges faced in their implementation and any clear trends to focus the doctoral research effort. Design/Methodology/Approach – A systematic search of peer-reviewed BIM education literature was carried out. From the articles captured, 51 specific cases of BIMeducation were identified and analysed. Findings – Most cases are from the USA with a more global spread from 2013. A tendency towards interdisciplinary collaboration was apparent though single discipline courses remain important. BIM software in education is dominated by Autodesk products. Most cases were found to be BIM-focused with few examples of BIM-enabled education. This was consistent with the most significant BIM education challenges that were found to relate to the skill levels of students, time and the availability of technical support. Research Limitations/Implications – This is an initial study. It is based on only 51 cases of BIM education, which were partially described in peer reviewed conference and journal papers available in international databases. Practical Implications – The investigation has shed some light on existing examples of BIM education and these are useful in designing BIM education initiatives as well as directing further research efforts. Originality/Value – The study offers an original perspective on global BIM education. It also represents the commencement of doctoral research.
CONCEPTUALISING BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING FOR CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION
(VGTU Press, 2020) Olowa, Theophilus; Witt, Emlyn; Lill, Irene
Digitalisation of the construction industry is both driving changes in construction education to meet emerging industry needs and providing opportunities for new delivery approaches. Universities are responding to these challenges in diverse ways including in their use of Building Information Modelling for construction education (BfCE). This research is aimed at understanding the existing approaches to BfCE. A systematic literature review of BfCE in universities was carried out which identified 305 relevant articles including 44 specific cases of BfCE. These were qualitatively analysed and a Straussian Theory Model (STM) was adopted to understand the different BfCE approaches reported in the literature, the contextual and intervening conditions which give rise to them and their consequences in order to develop a conceptual framework which sets out the relationships between these and the digitalisation of the construction industry. This study provides construction educators with a descriptive typology that depicts all possible BfCE approaches and which could assist them in determining suitable approaches and to conceptualise new approaches for teaching students to use Building Information Modelling (BIM) and also for leveraging BIM to enhance their teaching of other topics.
Defining a BIM-Enabled Learning Environment—An Adaptive Structuration Theory Perspective
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2022) Olowa, Theophilus; Witt, Emlyn; Morganti, Caterina; Teittinen, Toni; Lill, Irene
Digitalization of the AEC-FM industry has resulted in the reassessment of knowledge, knowledge management, teaching and learning, workflows and networks, roles, and relevance. Consequently, new approaches to teaching and learning to meet the demands of new jobs and abilities, new channels of communication, and a new awareness are required. Building Information Modelling (BIM) offers opportunities to address some of the current challenges through BIM-enabled education and training. This research defines the requisite characteristics of a BIM-enabled Learning Environment (BLE)—a web-based platform that facilitates BIM-enabled education and training— in order to develop a prototype version of the BLE. Using a mixed-methods research design and an Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) perspective for interpreting the findings, 33 features and 5 distinct intentions behind those features were identified. These findings are valuable in taking forward the development of the BLE as they suggest a BLE requires the integration of functions from three existing types of information technology application (virtual learning environments, virtual collaboration platforms, and BIM applications). This study will inform the design of a web-based BLE for enhanced AEC-FM education and training, and it also provides a starting point for researchers to apply AST to evaluate the use of a BLE in different educational and training contexts.
Evaluation of Immersive Project-Based Learning Experiences
(Reykjavik University, 2022) Rüütmann, Tiia; Witt, Emlyn; Olowa, Theophilus; Puolitaival, Taija; Marco, Bragadin
Digitalization is transforming the real estate and construction (REC) sector and a key feature of this transformation is Building Information Modelling (BIM) - the virtual representation of all building-related information. By enabling the creation of digital twins of real buildings, BIM generates opportunities to do many things in new and better ways including education and training. Specifically, BIM offers the possibility of data rich virtual environments in which project-based learning experiences can be designed. Researchers at Tallinn University of Technology, Tampere University and the University of Bologna are currently developing a prototype BIM-enabled Learning Environment (BLE) with the intention of providing more realistic, immersive and integrated learning experiences. In addition to the BLE platform itself, pilot learning modules are being created to demonstrate the potential for this approach and, to determine their effectiveness, evaluation tools are being designed. This research investigates existing, applicable evaluation models and derives an evaluation model and tools specifically adapted for the immersive project-based learning experiences provided through the BLE. A literature review was conducted to identify existing evaluation models. A comparative content analysis approach was employed to identify their specific use cases, implementation requirements, advantages and disadvantages for deployment within the BLE context. The BLE pilot learning modules were analysed in terms of their defining characteristics and the key features of evaluation models applicable to them were identified. The identified features were then integrated to derive a new evaluation model and a corresponding set of evaluation tools considering the contemporary principles of Engineering Pedagogy. The research results include: 1) Defining characteristics of the BLE pilot learning modules and the challenges these pose for evaluation. 2) Existing evaluation models and their applicability to the immersive project-based learning experiences of the BLE. 3) An outline of the evaluation model and appropriate evaluation tools for the BLE learning modules. An evaluation model together with supporting evaluation tools are proposed that will assist educators and trainers in evaluating the impact of their activities for effective engineering education. This research also serves as a guide for the development of future BLE learning modules and for evaluating their effectiveness.
Evaluation of Risk Factors Impacting Cost and Time Performance of Mechanical and Electrical Services Installations in North Central Nigeria.
(Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife., 2018) Amuda-Yusuf, Ganiyu; Adebiyi, Ranti T.; Olowa, Theophilus; Oladapo, Babatunde I.; Olorunoje, Lukman
Mechanical and Electrical (M:&E) services project are complex in nature and a number of risk arises at the design and installation stages resulting into poor cost and time performance. This paper identified and ranked the risk factors affecting cost and time performance of M&E services projects. Thirty risk factors identified from preliminary investigations were adopted as basis for a questionnaire survey to architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and project managers in North Central Nigeria. Initial statistical analysis produced 23 risks factors that would affect cost and time performance of M&E services projects and analysis of variance results show that no significant difference exists among the opinions of the professionals surveyed on the 7 risk factors. Factor analysis was adopted to classify the risk factors into five principal components namely, pre-contract risks, post contract risks, clients' related risks, procurement and external risks.The risk identification and ranking are good tools for assessment of risks related to M&E services projects. In addition, the classification of the risk factors can be used to establish important risk factors that require the attention of project participants. This will allow the client and contractor to understand the high-risk areas in M&E services projects and assign responsibility for those risks to the party or parties best situated to control them.
Perspectives on cost management roles of Quantity Surveyors in Mechanical and Electrical services projects.
(College of Engineering and Environmental Studies, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria., 2016) Amuda-Yusuf, Ganiyu; Adebiyi, Ranti T.; Olowa, Theophilus
Mechanical and Electrical Services (M&}:j is a complex system of buildings and their values constitute a significant component of construction costs. The procurement is commonly based on Iump sum and performance specification and there is lack of reliable cost information regarding elements of M&E services to guide project participants at the inception of building projects leading to inaccurate budget estimate, disputes, time and cost overruns. This study examined the cost management roles and functions performed by Quantity Surveyors (QS) on M&E services projects. The study was carried out using data from questionnaire survey to QS and services engineers in the North-Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Data analysis was carried out using t-test of the means to check the significance of the responses to the issues raised in the questionnaire. The results showed that the pre-contract cost management roles performed by QS is limited to the use of single purpose approximate estimating method, statistical method and historical cost information to advice clients' on M&E services project at this stage. At post-contract stage, QS prepare interim valuation, assessment of variations, claims and final account preparation. Quantity Surveyors missed the gap to effectively manage the cost of M&E services project, instead, single price approximate estimating methods based on historical cost information and statistical approach to establish indicative cost of M&E. services project. Making it difficult for QS to offer reliable cost advice for comparative design solutions of alternative M&E components and installation. With the increase in the value and complexity of Mechanical & Electrical Services projects, industry clients should engage quantity surveyors to perform the full spectrum of their cost management functions on element of M&E services project. Quantity surveyors should also collaborate effectively with services engineers from the inception of M&E services project to enable them gain full understanding of the technology of M&E services components.
Quantity Surveying Practice and Evolution of 5D Building Information Modelling.
(College of Engineering and Environmental Studies, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria., 2015) Amuda-Yusuf, Ganiyu; Adebiyi, Ranti T.; Olowa, Theophilus; Idris, Soliu
Manual quantification by Quantity Surveyors (QS) from two dimensional drawings is complex and prone to human error because of technological and organizational problems. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an emerging technology with potentials for automation of quantity take-off and estimating process. This study examines barriers to five dimensional (5D) BIM adoption, by Nigerian QS. Purposive sampling approach was used to administer questionnaire to practitioners in construction, consulting and clients' organizations. in Nigeria. A total of 53 validly completed questionnaires were returned and analyzed using Statistical Package for' Social Sciences . The five most important barrier factors to 5D BIM adoption by QS are: lack of collaborative initiatives from industry stakeholders; problems of communication and data sharing among firms; lack of government support and clear road map for BIM implementation; BlM model is not compatible with traditional take-off/estimating software tools; and non-alignment of current rules of Building and Engineering Standard Method of Measurement. The 5-dimensional BIM have tremendous potentials to increase the communication efficiency and interpretation ability of quantity surveyors. However, there is need for construction industry stakeholders to formulate strategies to develop and implement information exchange system that can support collaboration.
Risk Factors Impacting Cost and Time Performance of Mechanical and Electrical Services Projects
(Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife., 2017) Amuda-Yusuf, Ganiyu; Adebiyi, Ranti T.; Olowa, Theophilus; Olorunoje, Lukman; Idris, Soliu
Mechanical and electrical (M&E) services project is complex in nature and involves a large number of specialist organisations entering the project life cycle at different stages with different lines of relationships, responsibilities and riskmanagement capabilities. Hence, a number of risk arises at the design and installation stages which results into poor cost and time performance in M&E services projects. This paper identified and rank the risk factors affecting cost and time performance of M&E services project. A total of 30 risk factors identified from preliminary investigations was adopted as basis for a questionnaire survey to industry practitioners in Nigeria. Mean response analysis was used to determinedthe probability and severity of the risk factors and risk impact scores was used to rank the relative importance of the risk factors. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate differences of opinions between respondents'. The study identified 23 risk factors (risk impact >3.5) impacting M&E service projects. Out of these risk factors, 7 has significant impact while the rest havemoderate impact. The 7 risk factors in order of their significance are: high foreign materials content, poorly prepared tender documemt, late involvment of M&E engineers,noninvolvement of specialist designers, government policy change, poor specification and poor coodination of design imputs. In addition,ANOVAresults showthat no significant difference exists amongthe professionals on these 7 risk factors.This suggests that the risk level of M&E services project is high.The identification and ranking of the risk factors has practical implication inM&Eservices project. The risk identification and ranking table is a good tool for assessment of risks related toM&Eservices at project inception. This will allow the client and contractor to understand the high risk areas in M&E services project and, where applicable, assign responsibility for those risks to theparty orparties best situated to control them.
Strategies Adopted by Nigerian Construction Firms in a Recessive Economy.
(The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors., 2017) Olowa, Theophilus; Amuda-Yusuf, Ganiyu; Adebiyi, Ranti T.
Nigerian economy is currently in recession with extreme financial pressures on all sectors of the nation‘s economy. The construction industry is particularly affected with significant reduction in the number of construction projects available for various categories of construction organisations in the country. As a result, a number of construction organisations are downsizing, lack capacity to tender for new jobs, folding-up due to lack of strategies to adapt to economic downturn. The purpose of this paper is to examine the survival strategies of Nigerian contractors in the period of economic recession in the construction industry with a view to formulating strategies for survival in response to economic downturn. Structured questionnaires were administered to personnel in the construction organisations using snowball sampling technique and a total of 35 questionnaires returned were analysed using simple frequency, percentages and mean score with the aid of SPSS 20.0 and Excel 2010 packages. The result shows that most contractors opt for reduced tender pricing, stringent cost control measures, stricter site management procedures, effective relationship management with clients and diversification of business interest. In order to survive the period of economic down turn, contractors should exhibit prompt response to changes caused by external factors so as to remain in construction business. The findings provide guidelines for industry contractors on essential options to consider in the period of dwindling economic activities in the construction industry.

Browsing by Author "Olowa, Theophilus"

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