MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS IN COMPLEX PROJECTS & THEIR IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Public sector development projects play a key in development of the country. Different stakeholders show interests in construction projects, every stakeholder has their own agenda and interest which creates a conflict. Implementation of a project is hindered by obstructive attitude of stakeholders. Effective communication and coordination among stakeholders is key to project successful. It is very difficult to manage coordination in complex projects as various interdependent members are required to reach the desired goal. Communication is a complex domain, encompassing multiple perspectives. Therefore, it is challenging to create an appropriate framework to evaluate its strength among key stakeholders during the project as stakeholder's attribute and position with impact and influence changes with the project life cycle. This research is particularly related to construction engineering and management practices in the industry from all key stakeholders' perspectives. It assesses the impact of current practices, and highlights the key stakeholders requiring more, moderate or less coordination and communication for successful completion of complex project. Key stakeholders are assessed for both planning and execution phases separately. Due to lack of available studies in the subject, this research engages a qualitative design to unfold the opinions of the respective key stakeholders' regarding their impact and influence. Their point of view is gathered in order to find their impact on project to know the management practices at present and their implication due to these practices. Stakeholders' impact index and probability impact matrix approach for assessment of current practice and their requirements vi for coordination and communication are used. Study also represents the class and position of stakeholders during both phases. As per results, land owner have high negative impact on complex projects throughout the project life cycle followed by local community/residents, media, institutional forces and politicians. The client has highest positive impact on complex projects followed by consultant, main contractor and government agencies. Efficient communication and coordination is required with negative impact stakeholders for minimizing their influence. The proposed study is first approach towards communication and coordination management in construction. In this context policy making is recommended.