Cost Overrun on Selected Government Construction Projects between the years 2006 to 2011; Causes and Avoidance

QUESTIONNAIRE

Introduction and Instruction: We are currently students at the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of Technology Jamaica, pursuing our Bachelors of Science Degree in Construction Management. We are carrying out our group final research project on Cost Overrun on selected Government Projects between the years 2006 to 2011; causes and avoidance. Therefore, we kindly request your participation in this study by filling out and/or answering the questionnaire below. We assure you that the information collected will be kept confidential. Thanks for your corporation.

1. To which sector are you employed? (a) Private (b) Public 2. Please state your position in the organization which you work. (a) Manager/CEO (b) Engineer (c) Project Manager (d) Consultant

3. How many years of experience do you have in the construction field? (a) Less than 1 year (b) 1-5 Year (c) 6-10 Years (d) 11-15 Years (e) 16 years and Over

Cost Overrun on Selected Government Construction Projects between the years 2006 to 2011; Causes and Avoidance

4. What type of projects (construction and/or related) are undertaken by your organization? (a) Building construction (b) Building maintenance (c) Road work (d) Water and Sewage (e) Others (specify) ______________________________________________________

5. Have any of your organizations projects experience cost overrun at any point in time? (a) Yes (b) No (move to question 9)

6. If yes, what is the approximate cost of the most significant overrun experienced? (a) Less than 5 million (b) 5 to 10 Million (c) 11 to 20 Million (d) 21 to 30 Million (e) Over 30 million

7. What is the average frequency of cost overruns on projects within your organization? (a) Less than 5 times/year (b) 5 to 5 times/year (c) 5 to 10 times/ year (d) 10 to 15 times/ year (e) 15 times and beyond

Cost Overrun on Selected Government Construction Projects between the years 2006 to 2011; Causes and Avoidance

8. Indicate the reasons why your organizations projects incur cost overruns? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

9. Rank in terms of priority the most influential factors which contribute to cost overruns in your perspective. Please tick [ ] in the appropriate box {on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the highest)}.

Factors Causing Cost Overrun No feasibility study Inadequate preparation, planning and implementation of project Changes in design Poor contract management Poor site Management and supervision Mistake in design Mistakes and omissions in the bills of quantities incorrect estimates Additional work Unpredictable weather conditions/ unforeseen circumstances (acts of God) Fluctuation in the cost of materials Mistakes during construction Technical incompetence, poor organization and failure of the contractor Budget not in line with cash flow

Cost Overrun on Selected Government Construction Projects between the years 2006 to 2011; Causes and Avoidance

Financial difficulties Delay in payment for competed works Delay in the supply of raw materials and equipment Slow inspection of work completed Poor communication between parties Low Bid Shortage of skilled workers Political inferences Inflation Non-compliance with the Government Procurement Procedures Others (Specify)

10. In your view, what steps can be taken to mitigate the phenomenon of cost overrun? _______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Cost Overrun on Selected Government Construction Projects between the years 2006 to 2011; Causes and Avoidance

11. What is the allowable percentage threshold of cost overruns permitted by your organization for construction projects? (a) Less than 5% (b) 6-10% (c) 11-20% (d) Over 20% 12. Do government policies contribute to cost overruns on projects in your organization? Yes No 13. If yes, what are these government policies that contribute to cost overruns? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 14. What measures does your organization have in place and/ or plan to implement to curtail incidence of cost overruns? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

The End of Questionnaire.

Thank you for your participation