Developing a framework to enhance building handover practices in public sector construction projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Many public sector construction projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) aremarred by communication and coordination problems, with owners having to pay a highprice for schedule delays and cost overruns. The process by which building informationis conveyed to owners lacks standardisation, a holistic approach, and consistency. Thisoften results in KSA public sector owners receiving building information in a variety offormats, resulting in buildings operating at sub-optimal levels and relevant building databeing unavailable at required times to support decision-making and optimal operationsand maintenance. Existing systems of data management within KSA public sectorprojects cannot match the demand of operations and maintenance, as buildings arebecoming more complex, in terms of space management, energy demand management,and addressing environmental concerns, due to the functional requirements of moderninfrastructure. This research focuses on investigating key technology and processrelatedchallenges in order to ensure smoother transition of information from projectdesign and construction to maintenance and operation phases of a building’s lifecycle.This research aims to develop a framework to enhance data management in buildinghandover practices of public sector construction projects in the KSA. This frameworkhelps improve the operation and maintenance of buildings by establishing a relationshipbetween the project design and construction team, and the operations and projectmaintenance team. The research identifies key data requirements for effective buildinghandover from a Saudi client perspective.In order to achieve the research aim, an empirically based systems analysis of a singledetailed case study organization of Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, RegionalMunicipality in KSA was carried out. Substantial fieldwork was undertaken using bothqualitative and quantitative methods to match specific research questions. Thequestionnaire survey provides a wider view of building handover practices in the KSA,while the qualitative study provided an in-depth understanding of the state-of-the-art inpractice. Many tools were used to collect the data, including semi-structured interviewssupplemented by survey questionnaires together with documentation review. Theimplementation of more than one method to collect the data was used in order to achieve data triangulation, to explore implementation of data management in buildinghandover practices, and to provide a more an in-depth understanding.The finding of this research concludes some unique factors that affect theimplementation of actual building handover practices within the public sectorconstruction industry in KSA. These factors include: high manager turnover; lack ofknowledge and experience; lack of use of technology; lack of training; lack ofcommunication during project data at the Handover Stage; unclear responsibilities.However, the finding indicates that it is important for all managers in public sectorconstruction to understand that the handover is started already at the beginning of theproject. Furthermore, early handovers must be reviewed and strengthened during thefinal project handover.Also, the research findings confirmed that the lack of communication was possiblybecause of the fact that the project team is big and multi-cultural. Thus, the individualswere afraid to ask any questions as they assumed others would think that they were tooinexperienced to understand some technical specifications. Hence, it is highly critical todefine and use a clear communication procedure. Every manager is responsible forcommunicating internally and externally about status and issues. These findings willstrengthen the existing literature on effective data handover at project completion stageand will narrow the gap in knowledge in KSA studies in particular and to Arab studiesin general. Therefore, significant recommendations to the policy, practitioners, andresearchers, within both the public and private sector projects, are made to aid andimprove construction industry practices.This research provides specific original findings, which include an in depthunderstanding of factors that affect the facilitation of data management in buildinghandover practices of construction projects in the KSA via a case study conductedwithin the KSA public sector construction context. This research is the first study inKSA regarding issues that affect data management in building handover practices ofconstruction projects in the KSA. It is also the first academic study of the Al MadinahAl Munawwarah, Regional Municipality in KSA.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral (Level 8)

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Hijazi, S

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1399328

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1399328