AN ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCE PLANNING APPROACHES ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract (English)

Resource planning is fundamental to the success of construction projects, particularly in rapidly urbanising centres such as Abuja, Nigeria, where growing infrastructure demands continue to exacerbate challenges for the construction industry. This study examines the influence of various resource planning approaches on construction project performance in Abuja. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory, the research assesses how different resource allocation strategies impact project outcomes across four key dimensions: time, cost, quality, and waste reduction. The study employs a quantitative research approach, analysing data collected from 171 construction industry professionals through structured questionnaire surveys. Findings reveal that the Bottom-Up and Top-Down planning models, combined with Hybrid and Demand-Driven techniques, are central to enhancing resource management effectiveness. Specifically, the Bottom-Up approach recorded a Mean Importance Score (MIS) of 3.871, reflecting the value of grassroots-level decision-making, while the Hybrid approach, with an MIS of 3.788, demonstrated notable flexibility and responsiveness to project demands. Time-phased planning, with the highest MIS of 3.888, was further identified as particularly critical for ensuring timely and efficient resource allocation. Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of flexibility, responsiveness, and strategic resource prioritisation in navigating resource volatility and project complexity. The study concludes that the integration of flexible, adaptive, and priority-driven resource planning strategies significantly improves construction project outcomes in Abuja. It is therefore recommended that construction firms in Abuja adopt an integrated planning approach that combines both Bottom-Up and Top-Down methodologies, fostering collaboration across all levels of the workforce to achieve improved resource allocation and overall project performance.