Browsing by Author "Harinarain, Nishani."

Now showing 1 - 11 of 11

Development of an assessment design model for inquiry based learning pedagogy in construction education in South Africa.
(2020) Jaiyeola, Adesoji Tunbosun.; Harinarain, Nishani.; Haupt, Theodore Conrad.
ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH Construction education in South Africa is in the main undertaken using positivist methodologies which are at the core of university education. Current construction curriculums present subjects and content in silos that have no connection to each other. Students therefore experience individual classes, sessions and content perceived to have no connection or relationship with each other. Also, in this positivist approach assessment tools generally take the form of tests, examinations, assignment and projects. Success in tests and examinations indicates to the lecturer that a student has learnt something. Conversely, failure in tests and examinations suggests that no learning has taken place at all. The student experience is therefore typically one of being a receptacle in which information is deposited. Construction programmes have responded to these criticisms by experimenting with various pedagogy approaches like inquiry based learning (IBL), to improve the quality and employability of their graduates while trying to narrow the gap between what academia produces and what industry needs. Consequently, engineering and science disciplines began shifting from the lecturebased classroom and assessment format to emphasise active, research-based, and problem-based student learning. It is within this context that several researchers have called for changes in the curriculum and assessment design. This study researched the problem that the current mode of assessments in construction education at undergraduate level does not adequately measure learning so does not prepare students for construction professional practice and therefore requires an alternative assessment design model which incorporates different contemporary theories of learning synergistically in an IBL pedagogical framework. The research followed a subjective ontological philosophy, a deductive research approach, a survey research strategy, a cross sectional time horizon and a data collection technique and procedure of a questionnaire using the non-probability sampling technique of convenient sampling. The research procedure included an extensive literature review of articles that fully discussed the use of inquiry for learning in an educational context. The search resulted in 49 articles. These articles were further reviewed to identify the common facets of Inquiry based learning pedagogy. Thirty-two facets were identified as the common and importance facets. The facets were reduced to 28 base on the frequency of appearance in the IBL articles. Delphi survey with 14 construction education experts was used to identify 18 facets as the most important and having the greatest impact on assessment design in Inquiry based learning pedagogy. These facets were used to develop a conceptual model. The developed conceptual model was refined and tested using student survey assessment questionnaire administered online to 563 undergraduate students studying construction programmes at six universities in South Africa. The data from the student survey were screened using the anomaly detection node in IBM SPSS Modeller v 27, excel and statistics before subjecting them to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using IBM SPSS v27. Subsequently, structural equation modelling (SEM) using IBM SPSS AMOS v27 was used to assess and validate the structural relationship among the research constructs. The results show that the 18 facets of IBL pedagogy directly and positively influence the development of effective assessment tools to measure learning and achieve effective learning in construction programmes in South Africa and the eight hypotheses between assessment design, facets of IBL and learning were also supported. Subsequently, an IBL assessment design framework for construction programmes was developed which integrate and relate theories of learning and IBL pedagogy to construction practice and learning. The assessment model provides a foundation for policy makers, lecturers, curriculum developers and other stake holders in the improvement of the quality of education in construction education by developing effective assessment tools. ABSTRACT IN ISIZULU Imfundo yezokwakha eNingizimu Afrika yiyona esemqoka eyenziwayo kusetshenziswa izindlela zokwenza okuhle okuyizinto ezisemqoka emfundweni ephakeme. Izifundo zamanje zokwakha ziveza izifundo nokuqukethwe kuma-silos angaxhumani. Ngakho-ke izitshudeni zithola amakilasi ngamanye, amaseshini nokuqukethwe okubonakala kungenakho ukuxhumana noma ubudlelwane komunye nomunye. Futhi, kulokhu amathuluzi wokuhlola indlela yokwenza okuhle ngokuvamile athatha uhlobo lwezivivinyo, izivivinyo, ukwabiwa kanye namaphrojekthi. Ukuphumelela ekuhlolweni nasezivivinyweni kukhombisa umfundisi ukuthi umfundi ufunde okuthile. Ngakolunye uhlangothi, ukwehluleka ekuhlolweni nasezivivinyweni kusikisela ukuthi akukho kufunda okwenzekile nhlobo. Okuhlangenwe nakho kwabafundi ngakho-ke ngokuvamile kungokwamukelwa lapho kufakwa khona imininingwane. Izinhlelo zokwakha ziphendulile kulokhu kugxeka ngokuzama izindlela ezahlukahlukene zokufundisa ezinjengokubuza okusekelwe ekufundeni (i-IBL), ukwenza ngcono izinga nokuqashwa kwabafundi babo ngenkathi bezama ukunciphisa igebe phakathi kwalokhu okwenziwa yizifundiswa nalokho okudingwa yimboni. Ngenxa yalokho, imikhakha yezobunjiniyela nesayensi yaqala ukusuka kufomethi esekwe ekilasini nasekuhloleni ukugcizelela ukufunda okusebenzayo, okususelwa ocwaningweni, nasekufundeni okususelwa ezinkingeni. Kungalesi simo lapho abacwaningi abaningana becele khona ushintsho kwikharikhulamu nakwindlela yokuhlola. Lo mqondo ucwaninge inkinga yokuthi indlela yamanje yokuhlola emfundweni yezokwakha ezingeni le-undergraduate ayilinganisi ngokwanele ukufunda ngakho-ke ayilungiseli abafundi ukwenza umsebenzi wobungcweti wokwakha ngakho-ke idinga enye indlela yokwakhiwa kokuhlola okubandakanya imicabango ehlukahlukene yesimanje yokufunda ngokuvumelana ku- IBL uhlaka lokufundisa. Ucwaningo lulandele ubuhlakani ye-epistemological positivist kanye nefilosofi ye-ontological, indlela yokucwaninga ehlukanisayo, isu lokucwaninga ngenhlolovo, ubude besikhathi sokuhlukaniswa kanye nenqubo yokuqoqa imininingwane nenqubo yohlu lwemibuzo kusetshenziswa inqubo engeyona engenzeka yesampula elula. Inqubo yocwaningo ibandakanya ukubuyekezwa okubanzi kwezindatshana ezikhuluma ngokugcwele ngokusetshenziswa kophenyo lokufunda kumongo wezemfundo. Ukusesha kuholele kuma-athikili angama-shumi amane nesishagplolunye. Lezi zihloko ziphinde zabuyekezwa ukuze kutholakale izici ezivamile zemfundo yokufunda esekwe kuphenyo. Izici ezingamashumi amathathu nambili zikhonjwe njengezici ezijwayelekile nokubaluleka. Ama-facets ancishisiwe abanga mashumi amabili nesishagalombili base kumvamisa wokuvela kuma-athikili e-IBL. Ucwaningo lweDelphi olunezazi eziyi-shumi nane zezemfundo yezokwakha lusetshenziselwe ukukhomba izici eziyishumi nesishagalombili njengezibaluleke kakhulu futhi ezinomthelela omkhulu ekwakhiweni kokuhlolwa ku-pedagogy yokufunda ngokusekelwe kuphenyo. Lezi zici zisetshenziselwe ukuthuthukisa imodeli yomqondo. Imodeli yomqondo esunguliwe yathuthukiswa futhi yahlolwa kusetshenziswa uhlu lwemibuzo lokuhlolwa kwabafundi olwenziwa nge-zobuchwepheshe kubafundi abangama-563 abafundela phansi abafunda izinhlelo zokwakha emanyuvesi ayisithupha eNingizimu Afrika. Imininingwane evela ocwaningweni lwabafundi ihlolwe kusetshenziswa i-anomaly detection node ku-IBM SPSS Modeller v 27, excel kanye nezibalo ngaphambi kokuzinikela ekuhlaziyweni kwezinto (EFA) kusetshenziswa i-IBM SPSS v27. Ngemuva kwalokho, imodeli yokulinganisa kwesakhiwo (i-SEM) isebenzisa i-IBM SPSS AMOS v27 isetshenziselwe ukuhlola nokuqinisekisa ubudlelwano besakhiwo phakathi kokwakhiwa kocwaningo. Imiphumela ikhombisa ukuthi izici eziyi-shumi nesishagalombili ze-IBL pedagogy ngqo futhi zinomthelela omuhle ekwakhiweni kwamathuluzi wokuhlola asebenzayo ukukala ukufunda nokufeza ukufunda okusebenzayo ezinhlelweni zokwakha eNingizimu Afrika kanye nemibono eyisishiyagalombili phakathi kokuklanywa kokuhlola, izici ze-IBL nokufunda nakho kwasekelwa. Ngemuva kwalokho, kwasungulwa uhlaka lokwakhiwa kokuhlolwa kwe-IBL lwezinhlelo zokwakha ezihlanganisa futhi zihlobanise imicabango yokufunda kanye ne-IBL pedagogy kumkhuba wokwakha nowokufunda. Imodeli yokuhlola inikeza isisekelo kubenzi benqubomgomo, abafundisi, abathuthukisi bekharikhulamu kanye nabanye ababambiqhaza ekuthuthukiseni izinga lemfundo kwezemfundo ngokwakha amathuluzi okuhlola asebenzayo.
Effective HIV and AIDS management : a South African construction sector model.
(2013) Harinarain, Nishani.; Haupt, Theodore Conrad.
Abstract available on PDF file.
Identification, quantification and classification of risks pertaining to building contractors in the JBBCC (Principal Building Agreement)
(2010-09-06) Harinarain, Nishani.
Risks are present in every aspect of business. As one of the biggest industries worldwide, the construction industry is plagued with risks. Being such a large industry, there are hundreds of contracts signed every day. These contracts range from new construction, refurbishment to maintenance. Some projects are simple and worth few thousands of dollars where others are complex and may cost hundreds of millions. Irrespective of how simple or complex the project is, all projects are exposed to risk and can go wrong (Edwards and Bowen, 2005). Construction is governed by complicated contracts and involves complex relationships in several tiers (Abdou, 1996). According to Sawczuk (1996) as soon as the employer and the contractor have signed a contract they have taken on board risks. Their awareness of the risk and the steps to be taken to manage their share of the risk, will determine the likelihood of problems occurring. Construction projects have an abundance of risk, contractors cope with it and owners pay for it. The construction industry is subject to more risk than any other industries. Taking a project from initial investment appraisal to completion and into use is a complex and time-consuming design and construction process. It requires a multitude of people with different skills and a great deal of effort to co-ordinate a wide ranges of disparate, yet interrelated, activities. Inevitably, this complex process is compounded by many unexpected events that may cause loss to the client and other involved parties (Shen, 1999; Flanagan and Norman, 1993). According to Carter et al. (1997) the construction industry is facing a more challenging environment than any time in the past. Client expectations have grown higher and they call for better quality and service. Smith (1998) highlighted that for years the South African building industry had a very poor reputation in managing construction risks. These risks could be prevented or reduced if management takes action at early stages ofthe project life cycle. In order to overcome these limitations and improve the image of the South African construction industry, this research aims to develop an innovative framework to enable construction contractors to identify, quantify and classify the risks associated with the Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC) Principal Building Agreement (PBA). This will help making decisions on informed bases. In addition, it will enable contractors develop particular course of actions to mitigate the effects ofthese risks. The research methodology designed to achieve this aim consisted of literature review, questionnaire and interview. Firstly, the literature review was used to review risk management in construction, construction contracts, Risks are present in every aspect of business. As one of the biggest industries worldwide, the construction industry is plagued with risks. Being such a large industry, there are hundreds of contracts signed every day. These contracts range from new construction, refurbishment to maintenance. Some projects are simple and worth few thousands of dollars where others are complex and may cost hundreds of millions. Irrespective of how simple or complex the project is, all projects are exposed to risk and can go wrong (Edwards and Bowen, 2005). Construction is governed by complicated contracts and involves complex relationships in several tiers (Abdou, 1996). According to Sawczuk (1996) as soon as the employer and the contractor have signed a contract they have taken on board risks. Their awareness of the risk and the steps to be taken to manage their share of the risk, will determine the likelihood of problems occurring. Construction projects have an abundance of risk, contractors cope with it and owners pay for it. The construction industry is subject to more risk than any other industries. Taking a project from initial investment appraisal to completion and into use is a complex and time-consuming design and construction process. It requires a multitude of people with different skills and a great deal of effort to co-ordinate a wide ranges of disparate, yet interrelated, activities. Inevitably, this complex process is compounded by many unexpected events that may cause loss to the client and other involved parties (Shen, 1999; Flanagan and Norman, 1993). According to Carter et al. (1997) the construction industry is facing a more challenging environment than any time in the past. Client expectations have grown higher and they call for better quality and service. Smith (1998) highlighted that for years the South African building industry had a very poor reputation in managing construction risks. These risks could be prevented or reduced if management takes action at early stages ofthe project life cycle. In order to overcome these limitations and improve the image of the South African construction industry, this research aims to develop an innovative framework to enable construction contractors to identify, quantify and classify the risks associated with the Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC) Principal Building Agreement (PBA). This will help making decisions on informed bases. In addition, it will enable contractors develop particular course of actions to mitigate the effects ofthese risks. The research methodology designed to achieve this aim consisted of literature review, questionnaire and interview. Firstly, the literature review was used to review risk management in construction, construction contracts,
An improved service delivery model through the implementation of the FIDPM in the South African public sector.
(2021) Sirbadhoo, Neil.; Harinarain, Nishani.
The most import issue in South Africa remains, improving the delivery of public services, as any democratic society needs to exhibit efficient, equitable and accountable public service. Public service delivery challenges still experienced in 2021 were the same raised in previous years regarding capacity and skills shortages with public servants. The main challenge which affects infrastructure management and delivery has been the unevenness in capacity that leads to uneven performance in local, provincial and national government. Although the infrastructure delivery management system (IDMS) has made relatively good progress when implemented through provincial treasuries and provincial departments, it has not been sufficiently institutionalised in most departments. The implementation and sustainability of the IDMS stills remains a challenge. Government through National Treasury has released the Framework for Infrastructure Delivery and Procurement Management (FIDPM) as an initiative towards ensuring a systematic and structured approach for infrastructure procurement and delivery management for the successful delivery of construction projects. The Framework for Infrastructure Delivery and Procurement Management recognises that project management plays a critical role in the delivery of public services in South Africa as all spheres of government structures implement and deliver services. While it is argued, the public sector is less innovative than the private sector, project management plays an important role towards innovative delivery approaches in public service. Arguably the main driver behind the application of project management in government is to improve state institution’s ability to deliver efficient, effective and high-quality services. In the third decade of the countries post-apartheid constitutional democracy, serious concern has been raised about the government and its ability to deliver public services that its citizens are entitled to. The research aimed to develop a model to improve service delivery in the public sector. The aim was achieved through an in-depth literature review to identify factors that drive service delivery on public sector projects. Three drivers (the public sector, government policies, frameworks and the FIDPM, and project management tools and techniques), with 19 unobserved variables and 192 indicators were identified. Through an iterative Delphi technique, a panel of experts was used to validate the factors identified in the literature review. The panel of experts reached consensus after three iterations on 160 items which were grouped under the three drivers. A conceptual model was developed based on the Delphi study. The proposed improved service delivery model was tested nationally using a self-administered survey questionnaire. Four hundred and ten responses were received. Thereafter the model was subjected to attentive multivariate analysis which included exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and path modelling using SPSS version 27 and Amos version 26. The exploratory factor analysis confirmed the drivers, namely, the public sector, government policies, frameworks and the FIDPM, and PM tools and techniques for improved service delivery were valid and reliable and further showed positive and strong relationships to the respective drivers. Thereafter, the confirmatory factor analysis validated the hypothesised factors on the three drivers. Structural equation modelling analysed and assessed the hypothesised path between the drivers and dependent variables in the model for practicality and significance. Out of a total of 22 tested hypotheses, eight (36.36%) were statistically supported. These were presented in a final path diagram which depicted the relationships between the hypothesised paths were practical and significant. The outcomes recorded in this study add to the body of knowledge on an important service delivery framework that is in its infancy of implementation in South Africa. The findings highlighted the role of the public sector and its efforts towards addressing service delivery in South Africa are alarming. However, through numerous policies and frameworks developed by government over the recent decades, service delivery challenges are still present. The implementation of the FIDPM has not yet seen any improvements to service delivery that previous policies and frameworks have failed to address. Project management has been identified as a key area of expertise that may assist government through the application of project management tools and techniques, enhance the implementation of the FIDPM towards improving service delivery on public sector projects.
An investigation into the poor image of the construction industry and its effect on the sustainability of the industry.
(2013) Human, Jurgen Johannes.; Haupt, Theodore Conrad.; Harinarain, Nishani.
The construction industry is an important role player in any country. Past research has shown that the industry suffers from a poor image which, inter alia, resulted in a lack of new entrants. A quarterly survey conducted by the Construction Industry Development board (CIDB) showed that over 50% of survey respondents recorded a severe shortage in skilled labour. The objective of this study was to determine how young people viewed the construction industry, how employers and employees within the industry viewed construction, whether companies were involved in promoting the industry, and if the industry was attractive as a career choice to high school students. The literature reviewed stated that the construction industry was globally suffering from a poor image and critical shortage of skills. The literature provided the researcher with a number of factors which contributed to the industry’s poor image. These factors were empirically tested against the opinions of high school students and employers and employees in construction via questionnaires. Interviews were conducted with industry professionals who had over 20 years of industry experience. The interviews allowed insight into the image and what has made it poor. It also indicated that there was little being done to promote careers in the industry. The industry did have a poor image from the perceptions of high school students, employers and employees. Very few students indicated a willingness to work in construction. The lack of new entrants, shortage of skilled labour and lack of promotion were not conducive to a sustainable industry. The dissertation ends with recommendations for addressing the issue of the image from the perspective of high school students and recommendations for further research.
A policy framework for the implementation of sustainable construction in Nigeria.
(2020) Babalola, Ayotunde Anthony.; Harinarain, Nishani.
The practice of sustainable construction improves the quality of life of the citizenry. Based on the need to realise the tripod of economic, environmental and sociological improvements, many countries have realised the need to develop individual policies and plans to attain sustainability especially within the construction industry. While patterns of improvements and adequate policies are noticed in some developed countries, a lot of developing economies still grapple with the policy development stage for improved and sustainable construction patterns. Policies constitute the backbone on which decisions are made, practice is predicated and regulated, and it was thus expedient to demonstrate the effects of policies on sustainable construction practice especially in the context of developing countries. This study developed a policy model for the implementation of sustainable construction practice in Nigeria. The model lays a foundation for policy development and industry transition towards sustainable construction. Based on in-depth literature reviews on sustainable construction practices in both developed and developing economies and policy development and practice in selected model countries, a conceptual model was developed. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted in addition to two separate focus group discussions with seasoned construction professionals in the capital cities of Abuja and Lagos in Nigeria to confirm the outcomes from the literature review, gain a deeper understanding in a qualitative nature and refine the draft quantitative study instrument. Data obtained at this stage was analysed using Nvivo 12. The data collection was based on probability sampling where 380 questionnaires were distributed, and 249 complete responses were received. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 using Maximum likelihood with promax rotation was used to determine the validity and reliability of the four constructs of the conceptual model. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using AMOS Version 27 software programme to further test validity and reliability of constructs. The CFA revealed acceptable model fit of the measurement model after re-specification of some of the measurement models. At the end, the second order model was tested to determine the relationship among the constructs. The findings revealed that the data was acceptable, and all the four hypotheses tested were found to be significant. The findings of this research which include identifying the clear roles of the government as both a regulator of the industry and as a client for public infrastructure, relevant stakeholders in the industry and implementation patterns for sustainable construction practice have practical, academic, and methodological contributions to the evolving current body of knowledge in the area of policy development for sustainable construction practice specifically in the context of developing countries.
A Proposed Strategic Framework for the Survival of the Quantity Surveying Profession.
(2018) Ramdav, Tashmika.; Harinarain, Nishani.
In response to the ever-increasing changes in the global business environment, professions must evolve. Quantity surveyors are not invulnerable to these changes as an array of challenges threatens the existence of the profession. The quantity surveying profession require urgent and far-reaching strategic transformation that will overcome their threats and weaknesses and embrace the strengths and opportunities of the profession to ensure they survive and remain relevant in the ever-changing construction industry. The purpose of this study is to analyse the survival of the quantity surveying profession using a SWOT analysis in an attempt to to define the key strengths and weaknesses of the quantity surveying profession based on professional consultants’ experience in the profession, determine the key opportunities and threats which are perceived to impact the quantity surveying profession significantly and to develop and apply a strategic framework that could be used by the quantity surveying profession. The positivist paradigm was used for this study. The researcher chose quantitative research in the form of questionnaires. The questionnaires were given to quantity surveyors who are members of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS). In addition, data was also collected from secondary sources such as literature reviews. A probability sampling method was chosen for this study. The desired method that will be used is the random sampling method. A total of 58 responses which were all usable (23.02%), were received specifically from members of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS). Central Limit theorm supported the response rate. The data will be analysed with SPSS using factor analysis and descriptive analysis. Reliability was ensured by using the Cronbach’s alpha while validity was tested by ensuring all questions on the questionnaire were identified by the comprehensive literature review which was then validated during the pilot study. Four catergories of strengths of the quantity surveying profession exist. The four catergories are the ability to plan and solve problems, core quantity surveying measuring skills, project viability and interpersonal skills. Three catergories of weaknesses of the quantity surveying profession exist. The three catergories are technical inadequacies of quantity surveyors, resistance to change and lack of knowledge of and about the profession. Three catergories of opportunities of the quantity surveying profession exist. The three catergories are alternate positions for quantity surveyors, the need for quantity surveyors and new and existing roles in and out of the profession. Three catergories of threats of the quantity surveying profession exist. The three catergories are lack of the quantity surveying profession to market itself where new roles require an advancement of core quantity surveying services, external factors that hinder the performance of the profession and the lack of quantity surveying skills in the new generation. This study categorised the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with rankings being made within each category. In addition, through a strategic framework, the strengths of the quantity surveying profession can be used to minimise the threats of the profession and the weaknesses of the profession can be improved by taking advantage of the opportunities of the profession. Once the profession eliminates the weaknesses, they can avoid potential threats. Therefore, the profession can achieve sustained growth and remain relevant.
Quality in South African construction: a construction manager’s perspective.
(2020) Zondo, Siyabonga Simon.; Harinarain, Nishani.
Construction projects are an extremely complex process, involving diversified construction activities and a heterogeneous mix of materials and components. There are many factors affecting the quality of construction, such as design, materials, machinery, topography, geology, hydrology, meteorology, construction technology, methods of operation, technical measures and management systems. Because of the fixed project location, large volume and different location of different projects, the poor control of these factors may produce quality problems. Clients will not be satisfied if the project fails to meet their price, quality, time frame, functionality and delivery performance standard. In view of this, the construction manager must be employed, having the skills and knowledge or make the effort to design and manage processes of project construction. Therefore, the contractors and suppliers may deliver good products and resources to accomplish a quality construction project. The construction manager applies flexible skills to attain the quality requirements of a project by working hand-in-hand with all different stakeholders to ensure they produce spectacular results. A mixed concurrent triangulation design which consists of both quantitative and qualitative approach was adopted for this study. For quantitative data, survey questionnaires were designed via Google forms and 119 responses were from construction managers around South Africa. A stratified sampling was used and the data collected was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS-v27). For qualitative data, a purposive sampling was used, and the semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 construction managers and the data obtained was analysed using NVivo analysis (v12). Ethical issues were taken into consideration. The findings of the study showed that the participants understood quality in general and when used in construction. The participants agreed that for construction projects, the goal and desire of all project stakeholders, construction managers in particular, is to ensure that projects are delivered according to acceptable and agreed standards. The construction managers focus on the skills and knowledge employed to the construction of the project. Namely, they look at the material, labour, equipment, tools and methods to producing the end-product of quality. Construction managers use their skills which are inclusive of effective communication, leadership and negotiation to construction projects which will be fit for its purpose, meet or exceed client’s expectations and conform to both project specifications and regulations. It is essential to mention that if all the other stakeholders play their roles on the project, it makes it easier for the construction managers to perform their responsibilities which indeed lead a project to success. Construction managers use quality management systems to ensure the projects are of quality and eliminating any factors affecting quality. They begin with quality planning, quality assurance and quality control. Construction managers ensure quality by working with the project team to define a practical approach to managing quality, including applicable standards and quality processes. These are driven by standards and quality processes contained in the project blueprint. They also perform quality assurance by executing quality management plans using the standards and processes defined in the project blueprint. Perform a quality audit to evaluate how well the team is following the plan and meeting customer’s expectations. Lastly, construction managers control the quality by ensuring the deliverables are correct and free of defects and focus on quality from the beginning to the end of the project. In conclusion, it is essential for construction managers to be open to learning on a daily basis to improve knowledge and have a variety of solutions to any quality-related issues. To avoid issues, it is essential to deal with any of the factors affecting quality as soon as it arises. It is very important also take into consideration ISO 9000, ISO 14000, SANS, NHBRC, CIDB and NEMA which are quality regulations. Regular site inspections are advised where a construction manager visits a site to check if materials and construction methods used conform with the quality standards. This information is useful for having a general understanding of quality and explore factors affecting quality of construction projects. It also assists construction managers on what skills to focus/improve in order to be competent and deliver quality projects. Lastly, it reminds construction managers to quickly attend to any factor that might jeopardise the project quality.
A study of construction plant and equipment health and safety (H & S) in the KwaZulu-Natal construction industry.
(2013) Kingu, Naomi Eliwaza.; Haupt, Theodore Conrad.; Harinarain, Nishani.
With the increasing rate of infrastructural development in South Africa the accident and fatality rate continues to increase. It then becomes paramount to ensure adherence to H&S regulations so as to mitigate and prevent accidents and fatalities from occurring. The study of Health and Safety associated with plant and equipment is important because the majority of accidents are plant and equipment related. The study analysed key risks involved in the use of plant and equipment, the nature and severity of accidents and hazards and health risks related to the KwaZulu-Natal road construction industry. Previous studies have focused on the use of an excavator and have not researched particularity the KwaZulu- Natal province road construction industry. This research consisted of an observation study on twelve road construction sites within KwaZulu-Natal. During visits to these, Health and Safety (H&S) aspects related to plant and equipment, site documentation such as plant maintenance log books, plant certifications as well as safe work procedures were examined. Structured interviews were conducted with construction road contractors, professional engineers and qualified persons in charge of H&S aspects in the twelve sites under the study. The research aimed to investigate how the construction road contractors perceive Health and Safety (H&S) risks associated with plant and equipment and how construction worker health can be improved in road construction. The study revealed that H&S procedures with regard to the operation of construction plant and equipment were in most cases not adhered to in road construction in KwaZulu-Natal. Furthermore, it was observed that plant operators were not sufficiently trained in H&S before handling plant and equipment. H&S training is paramount including the implementation of H&S procedures. This would improve project performance and the overall South African construction industry.
The effect of emotional intelligence in enhancing job satisfaction for quantity surveyors in South Africa.
(2023) Harinarain, Nishani.; Chummun, Bibi Zaheenah.
Abstract available in PDF.
Time Management in the KZN Department of Education Infrastructure Projects.
(2018) Mabaso, Siphesihle Ntokozo.; Harinarain, Nishani.
Social infrastructure has the capacity to escalate the growth of the economy and improves the lives of the residents in a social context and certifies that the fundamental infrastructure is well exploited. Growth in the economy and improvements in the social standing of the community may be pivotal in dealing with the factors in the South African economy that pose a great challenge, which may include among others, unemployment and human capital shortages in infrastructure delivery. Literature has shown that governments around the world as well as locally invest in infrastructure delivery and this helps to provide the people with access to all the tools to meet their needs and to promote social welfare. The challenges faced by South Africa with regards to infrastructure delivery are not mainly because there is no funding available, at times it is because the sector departments do not have adequately skilled personnel and other resources to deliver infrastructure. The main provincial infrastructure departments include health, education, public works, and roads and transport. In accordance with the medium-term strategic framework and the National Development Plan, the South African government has prioritised expenditure on social and economic infrastructure. There is also a continuing drive to fund programmes and policies aimed at improving the standard at which the money allocated for infrastructure is spent and the capability of government to design and deliver major infrastructure developments. It is therefore imperative to research ways in which existing social infrastructure can be developed without wasting financial resources, because substantial financial investment has gone into the development of social infrastructure, hence the focus on project time management. This study purposes to examine the effectiveness of time management tools and techniques used by the KZN Department of Education on school construction projects and to make recommendations of how these can be enhanced to support projects towards completing on time. Explanatory sequential mixed method was used, and it involved collecting quantitative data from the Infrastructure Reporting Model (IRM) as well as the project and programme management team so that an in-depth analysis of the data can be done. A desktop study of 20 projects completed in 2016 and 2017, which are new schools and upgrades and additions projects were utilised to determine the effectiveness of time management tools and techniques. A questionnaire was also compiled, circulated to the project and programme management team, and analysed using quantitative methods. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed and 69 were received back and could be used for the study. Therefore the response rate is at 69% This was followed by 5 qualitative interviews directed at programme managers and project managers within the KZN Department of Education and the Implementing Agents. The time frames of completed projects were analysed and possible improvements to the existing tools and technique highlighted. It is important to investigate the effectiveness of time management tools because the construction of schools is social infrastructure and the South African Government has invested substantial financial resources in order to provide quality education facilities. Data was obtained from the KZN Department of Education, because it is one of the departments that reports project information on the IRM and it is one of the departments with the largest infrastructure budget allocations in the province. The study found that there are a number of time management tools and techniques that are available in the construction industry, which the department could make use of in the implementation of their construction projects. These tools and techniques are detailed in the literature review. The study further found that 95% of the projects in the desk top study sample suffer from time delays and do not complete on time. The findings of the questionnaire analysis further confirmed that a majority of projects suffered from time delays by way of a 100% agreement by the respondents to the fact. It was further found that there are time management tools and techniques implemented in the department however there is room for improvement in the implementation in order to ensure that the projects complete on time. This is substantiated by 72 % of respondents who agreed that time management tools and techniques were implemented in the department. Interviews with members of the professional team also found evidence that time management tools and techniques although they were in place, they were not adequately implemented. Other findings from the interviews were that there were no incentives in place for contractors or implementing agents when they completed projects early or on time. KEYWORDS: Time management, Social infrastructure,Infrastructure spending, Time overruns