Limitations of the conventional project delivery (CPD) approach in producing quality design documentation: insights from the Ghanaian construction industry

Abstract

The selection of a project delivery method significantly impacts design documentation quality. Among various methods globally, the Conventional Project Delivery (CPD) is the most common but criticized for limitations. While previous studies criticize the CPD for causing project delays, compromised quality, and increased costs, there is a paucity of research on the specific limitations of this approach, particularly during the design phase. This study focuses on Ghana's construction sector, aiming to identify CPD's specific limitations particularly during design documentation. Using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, data was collected. IBM SPSS analysed questionnaire responses, while QSR Nvivo 12 Pro dissects interview data. Findings uncover CPD's limitations: lack of designer coordination, insufficient commitment to objectives, prioritizing individual gains, and disregarding quality standards. Exposing these issues will drive a fundamental shift in the construction industry, fostering greater efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall success. This will significantly impact projects execution, leading to better outcomes.