EFFECTIVE USE OF INTEGRATION MECHANISMS FOR COMPLEX PROJECTS: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF BUILDING PROJECTS By

This research was pursued to study the relationship between construction project complexity and project team integration. Construction projects exhibit several dimensions of complexity, including building system complexity, site complexity, and project complexity. It was shown that project teams could work more effectively if these complexities are identified and an appropriate mechanism for integration is implemented. The study began with the identification of the specific dimensions of complexity that are relevant to design and construction, and the definition of integration mechanisms that can be used by project teams. It was expected that high complexity requires high levels of integration, except when familiarity and high levels of trust exist within the project team. Low levels of complexity do not require integration. Using the dimensions of complexity and the measures of integration, this theory was tested through the in-depth study of seventeen building projects. This empirical study was conducted through the use of detailed personal interviews of critical participant