Horizontal/Subsurface Infrastructure & Transportation

Greetings to all members, please i have a concern about VARIATIONS in projects and will like to know your opinion of the following question:
1. Is it wrong to have variations in project?
2. How many percentage of variation should be allow in a project?
3.What are the courses of the variation in projects?
4. Can the role of stakeholders involvement in the selection of projects help reduce variations?

Hoping to hear diverse views on this subject matter.


Thanks

------------------------------
John Baisie M.ASCE
Kumasi
233244857948
Ghana
------------------------------

Hi <g class="gr_ gr_75 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="75" data-gr-id="75">Dr</g> Baisie,
Generally speaking, "variation" in its broadest sense or "performance variation" is not unusual in construction projects. If you are referring to variation in design that is a different matter. I'd be happy to discuss further if you would share a few more details.  
Best,
Linda Thomas

------------------------------
Linda Thomas, JD, Ph.D., A.M.ASCE
Interim Director, CIvil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken NJ

------------------------------

Hello John,

It is not wrong to have variations in projects, in as much as they can be defended with invoices against prior bill of that project. As you don't hold monotony of the market, variations can be as many as needed. You have to be careful nonetheless that too frequent claims might be seen as not having outstanding knowledge of the works at hand as per percentage for variations, i doubt if there are rigid percentages set. You might what to contact a professional quantity surveyor for more clarification. In my opinion major causes for variations are material/labor price changes, project time increase, professional rate change, amongst other likely causes. I think stakeholders involvement during project setup and construction would give more clarity to the client/stakeholder in this regard. It is also worthy of note to know that variations could also mean a downward review on the project. Again please check with your Q.S.

------------------------------
Babatunde Faleye C.Eng, M.ASCE M.NSE
C.E.O./Works Director
Fibis Limited
Nigeria
234(0)8023012961
faleye.tunde@...
------------------------------

Greetings to our colleague in Ghana,
Your questions are indeed broad.
I think "Variation" in our provincial U.S. jargon = "Scope Changes".
You might want to survey the ASCE Journals, particularly Journal of Management in Engineering, Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, and Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution.
Search "Change Orders".
You'll find enough articles to cure insomnia for a few months.
Or, climb on a plane (next day airfare Ghana to Los Angeles - that's no problem) and join the ASCE Construction Institute in Anaheim CA for our annual gathering where we will have several sessions on those topics.
Looking at your degrees, you might also be interested in the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA).
Cheers,

------------------------------
Chip Ossman A.M.ASCE CCM
Ossman Project Management Consulting, Inc.
Pasadena CA
------------------------------

Hi John,

In general, Variations may refer to any change in materials, design, quantities, scope, timing, schedule etc. In most standard form of contracts the term Variations is defined.

Variations is quite difficult to avoid due to the fact that no construction contract is perfectly drafted and "claim proof". Events and circumstances may arise during construction and Parties to a project may need to adjust, thus may result to changes or variations.

Some contracts may limit variation percentage and may indicate some provisions to an adjustment of the contract price should the variation amount exceeds a particular percentage (this to adjust equitable profit and overhead).

In my opinion,  we can mitigate variations by the following (list is not exhaustive):

a) Clear and precise definition of the project scope (what should be executed and what should not).
b) Preparation of complete drawings and specifications. Including proper interfacing and coordination between different design consultants.
c) Preparation of a complete schedule (with correct logic and sequence and complete major activities).
d) Active involvement and prompt action and reply from any communications between parties involved in the project.
e) Proper management of the project.

Kind regards,




------------------------------
Jonathan Peralta C.Eng, M.ASCE
Valenzuela City
Philippines
------------------------------