Assessing Cost Management Strategies in Public Housing Construction Projects

Thesis Abstract

Public housing construction projects are vital for addressing urban housing deficits but frequently encounter significant cost overruns, delays, and budgetary constraints, which undermine project sustainability and stakeholder confidence. Despite the critical importance of cost management in ensuring the successful delivery of public housing, there remains a limited understanding of the specific strategies that effectively control costs within this sector, especially in developing country contexts where financial constraints, governance challenges, and resource misallocations are prevalent. This study aims to comprehensively assess and evaluate the effectiveness of various cost management strategies employed in public housing construction projects, with the objective of identifying best practices and areas requiring improvement. The study seeks to address the following specific objectives (i) to identify prevalent cost management strategies used in public housing projects, (ii) to evaluate the influence of these strategies on project cost performance, (iii) to examine the factors influencing the effectiveness of cost control measures, and (iv) to develop a framework of optimized cost management practices tailored for public housing initiatives. Using a mixed-method research design, the study combines quantitative and qualitative approaches for a robust examination of the research problem. The population comprises project managers, quantity surveyors, and contractors involved in public housing construction within the metropolitan region, totaling approximately 150 professionals. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 90 respondents, ensuring representation across different organizational roles and project scales. Data collection instruments include structured questionnaires administered to the respondents, complemented by semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders to capture detailed insights into strategy implementation and challenges. Validity of the instruments was ensured through expert reviews and pilot testing, while reliability was established using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceeding 0.75. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression techniques to determine relationships between cost management strategies and project cost performance. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret qualitative interview data, providing contextual understanding of the factors influencing strategic effectiveness. The study further employs the Theory of Constraints and the principles of Value Management as theoretical frameworks to interpret the findings, emphasizing how strategic interventions can optimize resource utilization and project flow. It is anticipated that the study will reveal that proactive and integrated cost management strategies—such as early cost planning, comprehensive risk management, and rigorous change control—significantly contribute to reducing cost overruns and enhancing project delivery efficiency. Moreover, the findings are expected to identify key organizational and environmental factors, including stakeholder engagement and regulatory compliance, that influence the success of cost control measures. The developed framework for cost management practices aims to serve as a practical guide for policymakers, project managers, and practitioners involved in public housing development. The contribution to knowledge lies in empirically establishing the linkages between specific strategies and project performance, as well as providing a context-specific model adaptable to similar developing country settings. The main conclusions underscore the necessity of adopting an integrated, stakeholder-inclusive, and proactive approach to cost management in public housing projects. Based on these insights, the study recommends the adoption of standardized cost management protocols, enhanced training for project personnel, and improved institutional coordination. Further research is suggested to evaluate the implementation of the proposed framework across different regions and project types, and to incorporate technological innovations such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) to further refine cost control techniques in public housing construction.