An evaluation of clients' needs and responsibilities in the construction process

TLDR

The study assessed how clients and consultants perceive the importance of clients’ responsibilities in construction via a structured questionnaire. The authors used a relative index ranking technique to analyze and rank clients’ fundamental needs and responsibilities in construction. The survey revealed that clients prioritize building functionality, safety, quality, and completion time, and that they view planning/design, finance, implementation/management, and definition/formulation as key responsibilities both for themselves and for consultants; understanding these needs and active client participation were linked to higher project success.

Abstract

The importance of clients' responsibilities in the construction process, as perceived by both clients and consultants, was assessed through a structured questionnaire survey. Using the relative index ranking technique, clients' fundamental needs and responsibilities in the construction process were analysed and ranked. Results indicate that the four most important needs are: functionality of the building, safety of the building, quality of the building, and completion time. The four most important clients' responsibilities identified by clients themselves are: planning/design, project finance, project implementation/management, and project definition/formulation. The four most important clients' responsibilities to project consultants are: project finance, project definition/formulation, planning/design, and project implementation/management. If both consultants and clients understand the fundamental needs of construction clients and if clients themselves are prepared to take an active role in the construction process, the chances of producing more successful projects will improve.