Impact of the quality of technical specifications of the tender documentation on the construction projects' success

Abstract

Before selecting a contractor and commencing construction work, creating documentation that describes the facility to be built is needed. Often, this documentation contains a large number of errors and deficiencies of significance. This study analyses a model comprising four latent variables and explores how three specific constructs - communication and change management (COM), project documentation supervision (PRS), and quality of technical specifications in the tender documentation (QTS) - contribute to construction project success (SPR).Design/methodology/approachThe original data were collected from experienced Czech construction implementation professionals. A survey was conducted using an online questionnaire. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used for analysis.FindingsBoth advanced COM and effective and thorough PRS positively affect SPR in the context of the time-, cost-, and quality-related concepts of the Iron Triangle. The quality of the technical specifications of tender documentation serves as an important mediating variable suggesting an independent review of this documentation before it is used for contractor selection.Originality/valueIn contrast to prior research, this study aims to elucidate the significance of documentation quality in relation to project success during the initial phase. The delivery and subsequent approval of documentation are posited as critical milestones that influence the performance dimensions of the iron triangle, namely, scope, time, and cost. Therefore, we argue that communication and change management should be central, primarily in the pre-investment phase, to ensure ideal error-free documentation.Before selecting a contractor and commencing construction work, creating documentation that describes the facility to be built is needed. Often, this documentation contains a large number of errors and deficiencies of significance. This study analyses a model comprising four latent variables and explores how three specific constructs - communication and change management (COM), project documentation supervision (PRS), and quality of technical specifications in the tender documentation (QTS) - contribute to construction project success (SPR).Design/methodology/approachThe original data were collected from experienced Czech construction implementation professionals. A survey was conducted using an online questionnaire. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used for analysis.FindingsBoth advanced COM and effective and thorough PRS positively affect SPR in the context of the time-, cost-, and quality-related concepts of the Iron Triangle. The quality of the technical specifications of tender documentation serves as an important mediating variable suggesting an independent review of this documentation before it is used for contractor selection.Originality/valueIn contrast to prior research, this study aims to elucidate the significance of documentation quality in relation to project success during the initial phase. The delivery and subsequent approval of documentation are posited as critical milestones that influence the performance dimensions of the iron triangle, namely, scope, time, and cost. Therefore, we argue that communication and change management should be central, primarily in the pre-investment phase, to ensure ideal error-free documentation.