Surreal illustration of a construction site symbolizing overcoming obstacles to achieve project efficiency.

Decoding Construction Chaos: How to Build a Smooth Project

Soraya Malik monogram
Soraya Malik in Tech & Innovation October 2026 • 3 min read.

"Uncover the hidden roadblocks that can derail your construction dreams and learn practical strategies to overcome them."


Construction projects are notorious for their complexity. Optimizing resources like workforce, time, cost, and quality is crucial. Constructability is the concept that aims to make projects easier to build, but it's often easier said than done.

In a world where construction projects are becoming increasingly complicated, and the number of failed and abandoned projects continues to rise, the need to integrate constructability principles is more critical than ever. Without it, projects can suffer from poor coordination, delays, and cost overruns.

This article dives into the hidden world of 'constructability obstacles' – the sneaky problems that get in the way of smooth construction. We'll break down a study that identifies and categorizes these obstacles, offering a practical guide to help construction professionals, project managers, and anyone involved in building projects understand and overcome these challenges.

AI Search Multiple angles on this topic

Construction's Global Footprint

Construction is the process involved in delivering buildings, infrastructure, industrial facilities, and associated activities through to the end of their life. It is an ancient human activity that began with the purely functional need for a controlled environment to moderate the effects of climate. The techniques and industry involved in the assembly and erection of structures, primarily those used to provide shelter, represent a fundamental sector of the global economy.

Integrated Project Delivery

Turner Construction exemplifies the integrated approach in modern construction, connecting planning, engineering, procurement, and construction to help clients deliver complex projects. This method aims to provide greater certainty, efficiency, and value through coordinated services. Preconstruction services are emphasized as a critical phase in this integrated model.

Evolution of Building Practices

Construction practices have evolved significantly over millennia, transitioning from purely functional shelter to complex engineered structures. While the fundamental need for controlled environments remains constant, the techniques employed have diversified considerably. This progression reflects broader technological and societal developments throughout human history.

What Are Constructability Obstacles?

Surreal illustration of a construction site symbolizing overcoming obstacles to achieve project efficiency.

Think of constructability as a project management philosophy focused on making the construction process as efficient and trouble-free as possible. It's all about considering how easy or difficult a design will be to build in the real world, and then making adjustments early on to avoid problems later.

Essentially, constructability aims to optimize the use of resources – workforce, time, money, and materials – while maintaining high quality and a safe working environment. When constructability is ignored, projects are more likely to suffer from:

  • Delays
  • Budget overruns
  • Safety hazards
  • Quality issues
  • Communication breakdowns
AI Search Multiple angles on this topic

Contemporary Industry Trends

Current construction research focuses on efficiency improvements and technological integration. Industry trends suggest ongoing developments in project management methodologies and material innovations. However, specific recent findings require verification through specialized academic or industry publications.

Challenges in Implementation

Construction projects frequently encounter challenges related to cost overruns, schedule delays, and coordination difficulties. While various solutions are proposed, their effectiveness varies depending on project context and implementation. The industry continues to grapple with balancing innovation against practical constraints.

Methodological Evaluations

Different construction approaches offer varying benefits depending on project requirements and constraints. Integrated methods like those employed by major firms aim to address traditional limitations in coordination. However, comparative effectiveness studies are needed to establish clear advantages across different project types.

A research study examined a comprehensive list of potential obstacles that can hinder the implementation of constructability on construction projects. The study, which used a questionnaire to gather data from experts in the field, identified 63 distinct obstacles. These obstacles were then categorized into five key macro-factors:

The Future of Constructability

By understanding these obstacles and taking proactive steps to address them, construction professionals can pave the way for more efficient, cost-effective, and successful projects. Ignoring constructability can lead to increased costs, delays, and reduced quality. Embracing this philosophy is a crucial step towards a more streamlined and effective construction industry.

AI Search Multiple angles on this topic

Industry Perspective

Construction professionals increasingly emphasize the importance of integrated planning and execution. Expert commentary suggests that coordinated approaches may improve project outcomes. However, broader consensus on best practices continues to evolve as the industry addresses new challenges.

Emerging Directions

The construction industry appears poised for continued evolution in methods and technologies. Future developments may focus on sustainability, efficiency, and digital integration. These trends suggest potential transformations in how projects are planned and executed.

Industry-Wide Considerations

Construction operates within broader economic and regulatory frameworks that influence project outcomes. Systemic challenges include workforce development, supply chain management, and technological adoption. Addressing these factors requires coordinated efforts across multiple stakeholders.

Practical Implications

Construction projects directly impact communities through infrastructure development and job creation. The human element remains central to project success despite technological advancements. Real-world outcomes depend on effectively balancing technical requirements with practical considerations.

How the obstacle categories compare across later studies

A later construction-risk paper describes Jadidoleslami et al.’s categories as contractual, environmental, project-management, technical, and organizational factors. This supports their use as a broad classification, not as a ranking of which obstacles matter most.[1]

Study at a glance
PopulationExperts active in the field of construction[2]
Sample size63 obstacles[2]
Times cited38[2]

What the categories tell us about constructability

The findings organize obstacles into broad areas of project conditions rather than demonstrating that one area is more consequential than another. The categories can help make a varied problem easier to discuss, but the excerpt does not supply a relative ranking.[2]

The study’s focus on contractors’ presence during planning and design links constructability to when construction knowledge enters project decisions. The evidence describes that aim; it does not show the effect of changing contractor involvement.[2]

What remains to be tested about constructability obstacles

  • How consistently would the obstacle categories apply across different project settings, given that the study’s questionnaire was presented to experts active in construction?[2]
  • Which proposed responses to the obstacles would help in practice, since the study’s stated contribution is a reference for developing solutions rather than an evaluation of them?[2]

Sources

  1. Identifying principal risk factors in Turkish construction sector according to their probability of occurrences: a relative importance index (RII) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) approach (2021)
  2. Constructability obstacles: an exploratory factor analysis approach (Informa UK Limited, 2018)

About this Article -

Written with AI assistance from published research, and reviewed by the Mystum team. See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1080/15623599.2018.1534044, Alternate LINK

Title: Constructability Obstacles: An Exploratory Factor Analysis Approach

Subject: Management of Technology and Innovation

Journal: International Journal of Construction Management

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Samereh Jadidoleslami, Ehsan Saghatforoush, Ahad Zare Ravasan

Published: 2018-12-03

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is the core focus of constructability in construction projects?

Constructability focuses on making the construction process as efficient and trouble-free as possible. It involves considering the ease or difficulty of building a design in the real world and making adjustments early on to avoid potential problems. The goal is to optimize the use of resources like workforce, time, money, and materials while maintaining high quality and a safe working environment. When Constructability is not considered it causes: Delays, Budget overruns, Safety hazards, Quality issues, and Communication breakdowns.

2

What are the potential negative consequences of ignoring constructability in a construction project?

Ignoring constructability can lead to several negative outcomes. Projects are more likely to experience delays, budget overruns, safety hazards, quality issues, and communication breakdowns. These issues can significantly impact the overall success and efficiency of a construction project, increasing costs and potentially damaging the reputation of those involved.

3

How does constructability relate to the optimization of project resources?

Constructability is directly linked to the optimization of project resources. It aims to ensure the most effective use of the workforce, time, money, and materials throughout the construction process. By considering constructability, project managers can make informed decisions that minimize waste, reduce delays, and improve overall project efficiency, ultimately leading to cost savings and higher-quality outcomes. This also includes the safety of the workforce.

4

What are some of the key macro-factors that were identified in the research study concerning constructability obstacles?

The article mentions that a research study examined numerous obstacles that can hinder constructability implementation, which were then categorized into five key macro-factors. However, the specific details of these macro-factors are not explicitly provided in the text. To understand the specifics of the obstacles, one would need to refer to the original study, but the article does emphasize the importance of understanding and addressing these obstacles to ensure project success.

5

Why is the integration of constructability principles becoming increasingly important in the construction industry today?

The integration of constructability principles is becoming increasingly crucial due to the growing complexity of construction projects and the rising number of failed or abandoned projects. Implementing constructability helps mitigate issues such as poor coordination, delays, and cost overruns. By proactively addressing potential constructability obstacles, construction professionals can pave the way for more efficient, cost-effective, and successful projects, thus ensuring project success in a challenging environment.

Newsletter Subscribe

Subscribe to get the latest articles and insights directly in your inbox.