Finalyear

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study
For any project to be executed in the construction industry it is a safe assumption that certain sort of plan has to be provided. This enhances quick delivery of a project and within the finding limits (budgeting) for the project.
However, when a project is to be carried out according to a defined start and end dates, it is necessary to have at least some idea of the relationship between the variables, this project is written to solve the problems of improper project delivery and to improve the organization of projects activities in our construction industries through planning. Most projects seem to be unplanned due to inability of the project managers and supervisors to handle the activities of the project well. These may lead to abandoning the projects, as a result of bankruptcy of the project manager or inability to meet the time requirements, lack of monitoring the activities of the project etc.
The primary challenges of project planning is to achieve all goals of the project charter while adhering to the three classic project constraint, sometimes referred as “Triple constraints”, that is scope, time and cost.
According to Kerzner (2013), the project planning is a series of planning organizing, directly, and controlling the organization resources to achieve the specific goals and objectives. Furthermore, the planning approach required the vertical and hierarchy personnel in the organization.
Onusonye (2006), posits that project planning seeks to achieve a workable scheme of operations capable when practicalized. Some of the workable schemes are in the form of elemental time- consuming activities.
According to Hoboken, Wiley (2006), defined project planning in terms of producing project outcomes within the three objectives of cost, scheme and specifications, in which project managers are then expected to develop and execute a project plan that meets cost, schedule, and specification parameters.
A project according to Onwusonye (2006), derives its definitions from various perspective and view. A project usually contains costs and time schedule to produce a specified product. It is characterized by a definite life-span, defined objectives, unique and non-repetitive endeavor, and cost and time schedule and finally it cuts across organization and functional lines.
Melton, T. (2008.6), stresses that a project is construct to mean an independent undertaking with a unique purpose and conditions to be managed by artificial structures or technical systems.
Akpan and Chizea (2002), in their contribution stated that a project connotes and unique activity, situation, process, task, program, and scheme or any human endeavor in which human time, and other resources are utilized to satisfy a definable and definite once-off (single or multiple) objectives. The realization of the set objective generally signals the completion of this unique activity from this definition above, a project is accompanied with a set down objectives, which forms the basis in which planning is carried out. Planning for a constructional or engineering project must proceed in logical steps as suggested below.
1. Identification of the objective to be achieved.
2. Expression of that objective in terms of time.
3. Assessment of the resources both available and required.
4. Establishment of the most economic method by which the objective can be achieved by the time required, taking into account the resources available.
5. From the method selected the allocation responsibilities from the explanation given above concerning planning and project and relating the two together, it can be ascertained that the impact planning has on effective project delivery that cannot be emphasized. Planning enables management to establish realistic standards against which performance can be match during a contract. Planning procedures in a project enable overall control to be maintained by careful monitoring of the project position. Planning enables decisions taken at tender stage to be monitored throughout the pre-contract and post constrict period.
Within the construction industry companies both large and small follow a similar pretended process during the production of an estimate and its conversion into a tender. The extents to which procedures are formed and involved the production of a plan depend upon the size of the company the nature and complexity of work undertaken and the policy of the firm.
According to Heagney (2012:2), a project should have a definite starting and end point (time), a budget (cost), or a certain magnitude of work and specific performance. Before achieving the objectives, a project goes through several stages of a project cycle.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
A lot of project has failed in recent time and has led to crisis/controversy among the participants in the construction industry.
Harris and Cafter (2001), assert that a project is said to have failed when:
1. The completion period is exceeded i.e the time limit.
2. The actual cost experienced in executive such project does not conform to the budgeted amount for the project.
3. The product was not functional, according to the client desires (i.e value for money), aesthetic and standard.
4. Any of the party to the contract fails to comply with the terms agreement.
The failures that occur in delivering a project in the construction industry can be traced to lack of planning or the use of poor planning techniques. A lot of project team managers lack the basic planning tools/techniques for use in the project environment and hence finds it difficult in actualizing a well articulated, reliable and realistic projected time and cost frame work.
It should also be noted that problems that arises define the role of planning within the construction organization relative to company size and nature of work undertaking the planning functions required in the different sizes of firms-small, medium size, large firm should be used as guide carrying out planning activities in a firm.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is the impact of a project planning delivery with the view of bringing a minimal solution and suggesting proper planning schedules for timely completion.
The objectives of this study are as follows:
1. To carry-out a critical research analysis on the tools and techniques involved in project planning.