A digitally-driven system for visualising the forensic delay analysis of construction projects

Boyacioglu, Serife Ece (2024) A digitally-driven system for visualising the forensic delay analysis of construction projects. Doctoral thesis, Northumbria University.

Text (Doctoral thesis) boyacioglu.serife.ece_phd(20041764).pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 25 April 2026. Download (8MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

In the construction industry, project delays are a common yet complex challenge, often resulting in significant financial implications and disputes between the parties. Forensic delay analysis (FDA) plays a crucial role in identifying the root causes of these delays, quantifying their extent, and attributing responsibility to the appropriate parties. While FDA aims to provide a comprehensive and objective assessment of the causes and effects of delays and to ultimately resolve disputes arising from these delays, current FDA practices often encounter limitations that hinder their effectiveness. These include the time-consuming and costly tasks of information retrieval, the confusing multiplicity of existing delay analysis methodologies, and the difficulty of presenting complex, technical findings to non-technical audiences. Furthermore, despite its widespread use, FDA has not fully exploited the potential of emerging technologies to enhance its effectiveness.

This research addresses these limitations by pursuing the following objectives: (1) conducting a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to thoroughly examine existing FDA processes, recommended FDA practices from guidance documents, and the opportunities presented by emerging technologies, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and game engines; (2) proposing an enhanced FDA process model that incorporates these technological advances to more effectively identify delay causes, support claims with evidence, and present findings clearly; (3) examining the impact of innovative interventions in the proposed process model and operationalising these innovations in a case study through the development of a tool, Forensic Information Modelling Visualizer (FIMViz), which streamlines FDA’s data collection, analysis, and presentation phases, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and user experience of FDA processes; and (4) validating the proposed model and the FIMViz tool through questionnaires and interviews.

The research deviates from conventional research methodologies commonly employed in natural and social sciences, opting for a research approach which adopts a Design Science Research (DSR) methodology. This approach offers a tailored framework to effectively accomplish the research objectives It utilises a variety of methods across various stages of the study. These methods include conducting a systematic literature review (SLR), gathering archival data from an FDA specialist consultancy firm, and conducting observation sessions with this firm during the design stage of the study. It then tests the proposed model in a case study during the testing stage and validates it through questionnaires and interviews during the validation stage.

Key findings reveal a variety of FDA methodologies, each tailored to different project types and delay scenarios. However, they commonly face challenges, such as difficulties in retrieving data, the lack of standard methodologies, and challenges in communicating complex findings. This research introduces a novel process model that addresses these issues by leveraging the analytical and presentational capabilities of emerging technologies. Validated by subject experts, this model demonstrates high accuracy, relevance, and reliability in representing an ideal FDA process. Additionally, the developed FIMViz tool offers a practical, interactive, and immersive experience for FDA professionals.

This research significantly advances both the theoretical and practical aspects of FDA, marking a substantial progression in the field. It effectively addresses critical deficiencies and knowledge gaps in existing FDA processes, thereby both deepening the understanding of these complex processes and shedding light on underexplored aspects of FDA. The outcome of this research is not merely a conceptual idea but a sophisticated, working instrument ready for adoption by FDA practitioners. It exemplifies a successful blend of in-depth research, innovative design, and practical utility, setting a new approach in the field of FDA. This work serves as a clear indication of the transformative potential within this domain, offering a path forward for future advancements in FDA.

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