Abstract
The construction industry is experiencing a high level of end user involvement in projects due to low economic activities and a high level of unemployment. Time and cost are increasingly being utilised as critical indicators to assess the performance of projects. There has been an increase in project interruptions by active end users that extend the project duration and increase project costs significantly, affecting construction projects negatively. One crucial aspect of project management that needs to be given extensive consideration is active and passive end user management. The objective of this study was to develop an approach to manage active and passive end users during a construction project to reduce impact and delays.
This study offers significant value to the construction industry by providing insights that can enhance project planning and promote the integration of effective active end user management strategies from the earliest stages of a project. By incorporating these approaches during the planning phase, stakeholders can ensure smoother project execution from inception to completion. Municipalities will also benefit, as the findings can contribute to more efficient project implementation, adherence to timelines and optimal budget usage, ultimately leading to improved service delivery for communities.
The goal was to create an approach that will describe tactics that can be applied from the beginning of construction projects as well as how active end users can be incorporated into projects to ensure their positive involvement in order to prevent discontent, the possibility of strikes and delays that could have a major impact on the overall cost of the projects. This essential study addresses important problems that have been negatively affecting construction projects in that deadlines are missed and, as a result, project costs increase.
This study highlights the critical importance of ensuring that project teams recognise the value of involving both active and passive end users in construction projects. Their engagement is essential for effective project planning and should be strategically considered and adequately budgeted for during the inception phase of any development initiative. This research aimed to guide project teams on how to minimise the risk of unplanned, over-budget expenditures and to show how all critical elements and approaches are systematically incorporated into project planning, thereby supporting the successful and efficient execution of construction projects.
The minor dissertation also outlines and demonstrates how involvement and incorporation of active and passive end users comes with challenges that will negatively impact construction projects if not managed. Several challenges are encountered when involving active end users and findings reveal how those challenges should be mitigated to ensure that projects run smoothly without delays and interruptions. A quantitative research approach was adopted, with a structured survey questionnaire as the primary tool for data collection. The survey was designed to capture relevant variables aligned with the research objectives.