Appraisal of Production Planning In Nigeria Construction Industry

Abstract

Control and effective delivery remains the backbone of the construction industry, production planning contributes immensely to the linking of several domains of activities during the life cycle of a project. The success however, relies on the ability to link such activities at the onset of the project and monitor till expiration and indeed facilities management. The challenges faced in Nigerian construction industry are related to literature on the misconception of planning as a task related rather than a managerial process. This paper seeks to appraise the various production planning techniques available in the industry and harnesses professional expert opinion on the viable and most militating factor against use of such planning techniques. The results revealed that on an average, the production planning experience for project manager fall within 6yrs and above, planning offices are located in company head office, few embark on production planning at the onset before tendering, CPD attendance is minimal, bar chart technique recorded the highest use. The factors that militating against good production planning include: duration allowed for preparation and submission of bid/ tender (Procurement procedure or method); inadequate information on project i.e. drawings and specification, site information and project delivery; government instabilities and policies; fluctuations’ in the cost of labour and materials; inadequate funding (cash flow); wrong application of planning techniques; lack of technical know – how/ professional skills, change in production personnel and environmental or climatic factors. The results pinpoint grey areas needing prompt attention by key stakeholders in the industry to address ineffectiveness in production planning techniques. For added sustainability future research will compare the results of various t-test differences for project duration and amount saved from effective production planning.