ABSTRACT
This paper describes the results of a two-year study in which various research methods were used including a state-of-the-art literature review, semistructured interviews and a postal questionnaire survey. As a result of these interviews, cost consultants, project managers and clients were found to be the most influential people. A postal questionnaire, aimed at these three disciplines, to address the influence of project team members upon choosing appropriate frame type for building projects. The results were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and through frequency analysis, confirmed that all project members, perceived by these
respondents to the survey, have a great deal of influence in the choice of frame type. The severity index has been further used to rank the project team members (decision makers) for the degree of influence they have in the structural frame selection process. Lastly, Spearman’s rho (ρ) analysis has been calculated to establish a measure of agreement between cost consultants, project managers and clients in the rankings of these decision makers at each stage of design process. The study presents findings of a questionnaire survey to establish a ranking of the decision makers (or project team members) at each stage of the design process and to investigate the degree of agreement among cost consultants, project managers, and clients with regards to the rankings. The aim is to provide a view of the different professions, decision makers involved in choosing the structural frame at each key step of the design process.
