Use of site meetings in the prevention of construction claims and disputes in the Swaziland construction industry

M.Tech. (Construction Management)Abstract: The construction industry is usually faced with claims and disputes that have surfaced from various aspects of project management that have been over-looked and under-estimated by the construction professional teams. The main aim of analysing the necessity of construction site meetings in the study was to identify the diverse ways in which site meetings assist in reducing claims that results in disputes. This study examined the use of construction site meetings in preventing construction claims and disputes in the Swaziland construction industry. The data used in this study were collected using secondary data via a literature review and through questionnaire survey in which questionnaires distributed to construction professionals. The findings revealed that the management of time using programme charts, site inspections and testing, cost checking during meetings and adequate specification documentation amongst others were among the measures assessed and analysed to prevent construction disputes and claims. Furthermore, the study indicated that the quality standards that site meetings enforce included; developing a project quality control plan, assessing workmanship during construction; increases communication in the construction team, assessing the specification used and appointing a competent construction manager contribute to the reduction of claims and disputes. In summary, the Swaziland construction industry must identify and discuss reasons why construction projects are completed late and with defects. Hence, the study recommends that construction professionals and clients must appoint competent project managers to assess and analyse all measures that causes construction claims and disputes using construction site meetings