W3_Agbato Busayo_Engineering Design Rework

Problem Recognition, definition and evaluation
In engineering design, deliverables (drawings and documents) are generated and approved for construction by the client. When such deliverables are accepted by client, it is often assumed that the project is completed. But in practice, this is not so, because during construction (which could be some years after designs were completed) there are usually issues that manifests, that will require re-engineering / correction. At this stage, there is always a problem between client and design contractor because client will want contractor to effect these corrections, which at times are substantial, at no cost and the contractor will want client to pay the service.

Development of feasible Alternatives / Solutions (Alternatives)
These alternatives were considered in solving the problem.

Alternative 1: Client should always ensure that deliverables are thoroughly corrected, before approving for construction and acceptance from design engineering contractor.

Alternative 2: Client should make contractor to sign an undertaking that any design rework during Construction will be borne by contractor.

Alternative 3: Client should make available fund provision for construction support by design engineering contractor.

Alternative 4: Client should include in their design engineering contracts rework incentives.

Development of outcomes and cost implication

Alternative 1: Client ensuring that deliverables are thoroughly correct is the right thing to do but in practice it is not always so. Some issues are still not detected until during construction, and this could be critical such that engineering design rework could be required and the construction contractor may not be able to resolve it or cost more for if the construction contractor should do it, and also may take time for him to do especially if it involves modeling, calculations etc. Also the design contractor may want to charge for this correction claiming that it is the responsibility of theirs and the client and there by passing bucks to the detriment of the project.

Alternative 2: Making design contractor to sign an agreement of liability may be difficult and if is done, the contractor will build into his estimates allowances for this liability unknown to the client, thus increasing the initial design cost of the project.

Alternative 3: Making fund available for design engineer’s construction support will make it easier for any correction to design during construction to be absorbed by client and design engineering contractor, with each taking up some responsibilities. And if there is no need for any post construction support apart from rework, there will be fund also for the client to handle such unknowns.


Alternative 4: Client can include in their engineering services contract agreement provision for low engineering design rework Index incentives. This could motivate engineering design contractor to ensure thorough design output, but will not properly cater for construction support by design engineering contractor which in practice are inevitable.

Selection Criteria
1) Reduction in cost of project
2) Ease of solution to problems in project
3) Cordiality of team work relationship in project
4) Project execution on schedule.

Analysis and Comparison of the Alternative
Alternative 1: may not lead to additional design engineering cost, but may lead to difficulty in proffering solution to problems of engineering during construction, it can strain business relationship, negatively impact schedule because of back passing between client and design contractor.

Alternative 2: will lead to increase in initial cost of engineering, negatively impact schedule, because design contractor may delay in effecting correction buy not making the rework an important thing to do and it also can lead to client - contractor skepticism.

Alternative 3: will lead to reduction in overall cost of project, brings about quick solution to design engineering problem, encourage cordial relationship and make project to be complete on schedule relatively.

Alternative 4: Though could ensure thorough design engineering deliverables, may not take into consideration provisions for design engineering contractor’s construction support.

Selection of Preferred Alternative
From these analyses and criteria above, alternative 3 will be the preferred alternative. It has adequate allowance to accommodated all engineering design rework risks and gives adequate support during construction.

Performance Monitoring / Post Evaluation
All challenges associated with design correction during construction will be mitigated by:
i. ensuring engineering design are thorough enough to eliminate rework
ii. Construction support fund should be budgeted, and used only when necessary.

References
1. Sullivan, W. G., Wick, E. M., & Koelling, C. P. (2009) Engineering Economy 14th Edition.
2. www.engr.orst.edu/~rogged