Scope Definition of Air Force Design and Construction Projects

Industry practitioners and researchers recognize that project scope definition is a factor in project success in terms of cost and schedule. The Construction Industry Institute developed the project definition rating index (PDRI) as a tool to support the effectiveness of scope development. The U.S. Air Force has adopted this tool but has yet to validate its effectiveness empirically. This study was performed to provide that empirical validation by comparing the performance metrics of cost, schedule, and budget estimate of Air Force military construction (MILCON) projects that used the PDRI with those that did not. Project data for 263 (100 PDRI and 163 non-PDRI) MILCON projects were analyzed. Projects that used the PDRI performed better on all three metrics, with statistically significant results for both cost and schedule growth. The results of this study provide empirical evidence of how the use of formal scope-definition tools can improve performance for Air Force MILCON projects. It also contributes to a broader understanding of scope definition in the design and construction industry.