ABSTRACT
Most construction work is very specific to the employer’s needs, the constraints of the site and the budget available. Therefore a large proportion of construction work can be subject to the pressures of variations as feedback is obtained from site, employer’s changing needs or simply the designers needing to finalize the design. On other occasions designers may realize that the designs are flawed or alternatively the contractor advises of a more advantageous solution to a problem. As long as variations are properly timed and administered they can lead to a better product. Unfortunately, with the pressures of the commercial environment, variations are not always properly controlled or incorporated, all too often exposing the parrtes to risk. Therefore an enlightened building team should realize that variations are probable and should have in place systems to accommodate them.
