A fees estimating model for consulting engineering firms in Gaza Strip

Other Title(s)

إدارة المكاتب الستشارية و طرق تسعير الخدمات الهندسية الاستشارية

Dissertant

Radwan, Ibrahim A. Rauf

Thesis advisor

Shaat, Kamalain M.

University

Islamic University

Faculty

Faculty of Engineering

Department

Department of Civil Engineering

University Country

Palestine (Gaza Strip)

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2004

English Abstract

The performance of the design process in a construction project has a great influence on the success and quality of the subsequent processes in the project life cycle.

Despite its importance, relatively little attention has been given to the management of the design process.

This research is conducted to investigate the perception and practice of the design consultants in Gaza Strip in the design process management.

Eventually, a computer based decision making tool, called "Fees Estimating Model" (FEM) is developed.

This tool is based on Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.

It is supposed to utilize the consultant's experience, available cost data, and historical data regarding the total score of the consulting bids winners, and Monte Carlo simulation in order to estimate rationally the consulting fees.

The research has been conducted through literature review of the topics related to management and costing of design process, followed by a field survey of the local consultant's perception and practice in the design management.

Twenty two top consulting firms / offices are asked to fill a questionnaire that covers topics related to design management perception and practice.

Archival data about the consulting tender's evaluation results of about forty consulting tenders are gathered as well.

The field survey indicated that local consultants have, in general, a good perception of the design process, but more efforts are to be addressed to enhance their practice model representing the local design process is proposed.

This model emphasizes planning and coordinating the design activities as well as the proactive involvement of the client in the design process.

These elements, together with design staff training, have been found as the main factors that lead to successful design process and consequently contribute to developing the local construction industry.

FEM is tailored for the commonly used two envelop tendering procedure for soliciting consulting services.

The model helps the user to decide his bidding strategy and prepare an estimate accordingly.

The local consultants who evaluated FEM stated that it is useful as a decision support tool suitable for the two envelop consulting bids in Gaza Strip.

This study concludes that all the construction industry stakeholders should aim at achieving successful design process.

Consultants are advised to use a computerized tool, such as FEM, in their fees estimating.

Professional associations and academic institutions are invited to participate in activities that disseminate the awareness of the good design management practices.

It is recommended that the Association of Engineers, together with governmental and academic institutions, contribute in design staff capacity building and enforce the compliance to the association scale of fees.

Main Subjects

Civil Engineering

Topics

• Management
• Construction engineering
• Palestine
• Gaza Strip
• Construction projects
• Consulting

No. of Pages

112

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-300898