A Strategic Approach to Improving Decision-Making Framework for Integrating the Design Changes in Construction Projects
Devi Priyanka Y1, Kranti Kumar Myneni2
1Devi Priyanka Y, Department of Masters of Building and Engineering Management, School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), India.
2Dr. Kranti Kumar Myneni, Department of Masters of Building and Engineering Management, School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), India.
Manuscript Received on 20 February 2025 | First Revised Manuscript Received on 24 February 2025 | Second Revised Manuscript Received on 18 April 2025 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 May 2025 | Manuscript published on 30 May 2025 | PP: 30-36 | Volume-11 Issue-9 May 2025 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijmh.G180211070325 | DOI: 10.35940/ijmh.G1802.11090525
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Design changes in construction projects often lead to cost overruns, delays, and compromised quality, particularly in the complex and rapidly urbanizing Indian context. This dissertation aims to enhance decision-making processes for integrating these changes by analyzing their causes, evaluating current design management practices, and refining an existing decision-making framework. Key causes identified include client-driven scope additions, consultant errors, and regulatory updates, categorized by predictability, timing, and severity. Current practices like Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Agile Project Management are assessed for effectiveness, alongside challenges such as inconsistent documentation, delayed decision-making, and resistance to advanced tools. The refined framework emphasizes proactive planning, structured impact assessment, collaborative decisionmaking, and continuous improvement through postimplementation reviews, proposing a dedicated department for managing design changes to ensure accountability and efficiency. This study provides a strategic approach for integrating design changes, suggesting future research to validate the framework across different project types and explore advanced technologies like AI for further enhancement.
Keywords: Design Changes, Decision-Making, Design Change Management, Framework, Proactive Management.
Scope of the Article: Management