Sana Fayaz

CIV 36/13
Roll no. 32
Section A

1. CHALLENGES BEFORE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES IN INDIA

The construction industry in India has to overcome various challenges in the coming
decades, they are summarized below

Lack of innovation and chronic resource shortages

Technocrats associated with the Indian construction industry need to employ
innovative technologies and skilled project handling strategies .One of the charges
leveled at the construction industry, as at the beginning of the 21st century, is that it
has a poor record on innovation, when compared with manufacturing industries such
as aerospace or electronics. The pervasive growth of technology and the associated
industries that have followed are attracting the youth away from traditional
industries. Consequently, there is a severe shortage of bright, talented people willing
to work in construction.
Poor Transportational facilities
There is poor transportation infrastructure to move equipment and materials.
Construction differs widely from manufacturing in that: the work is often seasonal,
each project is unique, often involves remote sites with various access problems.
Construction of roads in extreme hot and cold climates as well as in highly humid
weatherposes many problems. Standardized materials and design mixes become
necessary in the construction of these pavements, in stretches. In areas regions of
high temperatures, problems of bleeding and flowing of bitumen are common, which
thereby leads to the routing of the pavements. Hence, high grades of bitumen are
being used in this type of construction to minimize this problem. Construction of
roads in very cold climatic conditions requires large amounts of fuels for melting the
bitumen. A remedy for this is obtained through the use of emulsified bitumen,
consisting of fine globules of bitumen suspended in water. After the bitumen is laid
and settles down, the water evaporates. Humid climate causes reveling of pavements
due to the combination of moisture with bitumen, which exposes the aggregates on
the surface of pavements. Here, aggregates are being used in surface dry condition.
Presently, locally available aggregates that marginally fail in the test results also are
being used.
Natural Hazards
Natural Hazards like earthquakes, floods and cyclones always lead to immense
damage and widespread destruction of civil engineering structures. The financial
setback in such disasters is huge. Further, the rehabilitation work involved after any
such hazard, to bring life back to normalcy, is itself a great challenge for the
construction industry.
 India as a nation is quite susceptible to all forms of natural hazards. Of all these,
floods happen to be the most frequent form of natural disaster faced by the country

Challenges arising due to the Nature Of The Work

Construction is at best organized chaos. The very nature of construction introduces
challenges typically not encountered in other industries for example, the process is
not as predictable, difficulty in applying automation, there is high potential for
encountering unforeseen conditions, costs can vary according to conditions, difficult
to manage and supply utilities and other resources, technical innovations are
adopted slower, success is dependent upon the quality of its people, very custom-
oriented, product can be of mindboggling size, cost, and complexity, the work is not
performed in controlled conditions, therefore highly impacted by weather and other
environmental conditions . Weather and construction have been at odds since the
beginning. This fact is particularly troublesome to those engaged in heavy civil work,
site development, and activities that involve earthwork or other weather sensitive
operations. Those located in northern climates often have limited construction
seasons. Weather related delays and impact of weather must be recognized by the
CM(Construction Manager).
Work Force Considerations
People are a construction organizations greatest resource. Construction operations
depend on the knowledge and skills of people planning and executing the
work..Having talented management in place to guide and direct operations is crucial.
Obviously, having an adequate number of skilled and unskilled workers to perform
the work is a bare necessity and is becoming increasing difficult. There are several
factors contributing to this problem. Construction is typically viewed as being one of
the least desirable industries in which to work. Surveys among the nations youth
show construction at the bottom of the list of professions that they would enter.
Construction by nature is dangerous, dirty, hard work. Other industries or
professions offer preferred work environments that are cleaner, safer, and generally
more desirable
Safety
Safety remains an on going concern for the construction manager. Construction by
nature is inherently dangerous, with a high degree of hazard and risk. The toll of
construction accidents is high in terms of both costs and human suffering. Accidents
add a tremendous burden of needless and avoidable expense. Financial loses pale
when compared to bodily injury and death, and the resulting human, social impacts.
protects the contractor from certain direct expenses, but accidents also involve
substantial costs that are not insurable, referred to as hidden or indirect cost. Direct
costs include medical cost and compensation. Indirect or hidden costs include: time
lost from work by the injured party loss in earning power, economic loss to injured
workers family diminished quality of life for the injured party loss of efficiency by
breaking up crew cost to train new or replacement employees damage to
equipment and tools loss of production cost incurred by delays failure to meet
contract demands (completion, etc) overhead costs associated with disruption of
work cleanup and repair costs administrative costs of investigations and reports
increased insurance premiums loss of future projects due to adverse publicity cost
of fines
Time Constraints
Time is money to owners, builders, and users of the constructed facility. From the
owners perspective there is lost revenue by not receiving return on investment, cash
flow crunch, potential alienation and loss of clients/tenants, extended interest
payments, and negative marketing impacts. From the users perspective, there are
financial implications similar to owners. Delays in upgrading facilities translate into
operating at below optimum efficiency resulting in higher user cost. Delays in
constructing or rehabilitating infrastructure negatively affect businesses and the
public at-large. Time implications from the constructors perspective include
liquidated damages (negative) and incentive/disincentive payments. Delays result in
extended overhead costs and put a crunch on critical cash flow. Inefficient time
management results in higher labor and equipment costs. A reputation for late
completions is bad for business, especially in negotiated work. CMs must
comprehensively plan construction operations and closely monitor progress. CPM
schedules and linear schedules are valuable tools that provide several advantages in
managing construction operations.
Environmental Issues
Strict regulation, permitting requirements, and enforcement are designed to protect
human health and the natural environment. The preserving of environment is a great
challenge in a developing country like India, which has a fragile environment and
rapid urbanization alongside associated problems like pollution of air. Failure to
comply with environmental regulation can result in project delay or termination,
disqualification from future work opportunities, fines, civil action, and even criminal
prosecution. It is paramount that CMs have full knowledge and understanding of
environmental regulations and permit requirements. Environmental concerns that
impact construction include erosion and sedimentation control, wetlands and
parklands, leaking underground storage tanks and contaminated soil, lead paint
removal, asbestos, hazardous waste, dust control, and noise.
Legal Issues
Construction business is conducted through contractual arrangements that at times
results in disputes. The owner has a duty to provide adequate, accurate data to the
bidders, and is liable to the constructor when inaccurate data are given, extras
develop because of improper design, or the design is significantly changed after the
contract is signed (constructive change). Change in scope and differing or
unexpected site conditions are grounds for a claim. The various types of claims
include delay/disruption, extra work claims, acceleration, impossibility-of-
performance, defective design (error or omission), interference, and superior
knowledge claims. Claims in general are bad for the industry. All parties must work
to reduce the frequency and magnitude of claims. The CM plays a central role in
claims avoidance and resolution.
Governmental Regulation
The industry is coming under greater regulation through the construction codes and
licensing requirements. The Indian codes provide for public safety by establishing
minimum construction standards for structural integrity and fire safety. Local
building codes are based on one of the model codes, but often include modifications
that are unnecessarily restrictive. Timely resolution of issues is often entangled in
bureaucratic red tape.
Socio-Political Pressures
Pressures emanate from adjacent property owners and the public at-large, including
existing businesses, institutions, and residences adjacent to the constructed facility.
Civic organizations and community groups have more input into design and
construction of public works projects, and greater impact on private work through
the land use and planning process. The community has greater input through citizen
advisory boards that are engaged during project initiation, design, and construction.
Todays CM has substantially greater accountability to the public than previous
generations. Socio-political pressures also stem from the NIMBY syndrome (not in
my back yard). The NIMBY syndrome stymies growth and development, and
generally hampers construction. The obstacles caused by the NIMBY syndrome
typify the challenges facing todays CM.

Institutional weaknesses and a general inability to deal with the key

issues
Current economic situation may have an adverse impact on construction industry.
There is a poor penetration of construction equipment and a large dependence on
skilled labour.High cost of capital coupled with a lack of options for rental equipment
are other unfavourable conditions.

2.THE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS FACED BY A PROJECT MANAGER IN

CONTRUCTION WORK

There are a number of common obstacles to project completion that the project
manager is expected to work out in order to keep construction on track.
Improper Risk Management
PMs must take necessary steps for risk management in case of unforeseen
circumstances. includes what to do for a variety of scenarios when things arent going
to plan. These contingencies should be identified ahead of time for example, Weather
and construction have been at odds since the beginning. This fact is particularly
troublesome to those engaged in heavy civil work, site development, and activities
that involve earthwork or other weather sensitive operations. Those located in
northern climates often have limited construction seasons. Weather related delays
and impact of weather must be recognized by the PM.
Poor Communications
Poor communication is a morale killer and a project delay mechanism of the first
order. It is up to the PM to keep communications and feedback open between upper
management and team leaders, as well as other stakeholders.
Avoidable Delays and Impossible Deadlines
Time is money to owners, builders, and users of the constructed facility A reputation
for late completions is bad for business, especially in negotiated work. PMs must
comprehensively plan construction operations and closely monitor progress.
Schedules and linear schedules are valuable tools that provide several advantages in
managing construction operations. Another morale killer, impossible deadlines can
result in a loss of productivity. The project manager is there to respond unreasonable
requests and negotiate a more realistic deadline.
Undefined Goals
To prevent undefined goals, the project manager must be careful to ask the right
questions in order to establish and communication clear goals from the start.
Scope Changes
Also known as scope creep, this describes the extension of the scope beyond the
original objectives. Since the changes are not planned, they typically cause delays and
cost money that isnt in the budget. It is up to the PM to evaluate change requests
and decide whether or how to implement them. The PM then communicates to all
stakeholders the impact the change will have on the schedule and/or budget.
Inadequately Skilled Personnel
The PM determines the needed competencies and assesses the available employees.
If needed, training can be recommended, as can outsourcing the job and hiring
additional workers.
Lack of Accountability
If the team members arent taking responsibility for their goals and activities, the PM
should provide the leadership to direct (or herd) the team towards the goal laid out in
the plan.
Resource Deprivation
If resource needs are adequately defined by the PM and approved by management
from the beginning, this should not be an issue. The PM is responsible for assigning
and prioritizing resources for the duration of the project.
Mediation and Arbitration in case of a legal dispute
The project manager must strive to keep communications open and encourage
feedback from everyone at every step of the project. If the PM cannot come to an
agreement with both parties involved, it may be time to try mediation, a mini-trial, or
arbitration.
Environmental constraints
Failure to comply with environmental regulation can result in project delay or
termination, disqualification from future work opportunities, fines, civil action, and
even criminal prosecution. It is paramount that PMs have full knowledge and
understanding of environmental regulations and permit requirements.
Socio-Political Pressures
Many projects are stalled when they fail to get around the bureaucratic red-tape.
Pressures emanate from adjacent property owners and the public at-large, including
existing businesses, institutions, and residences adjacent to the constructed facility.
Civic organizations and community groups have more input into design and
construction of public works projects, and greater impact on private work through
the land use and planning process. The community has greater input through citizen
advisory boards that are engaged during project initiation, design, and construction.
Todays PM has substantially greater accountability to the public than previous
generations