Identify Building Contract Administration Knowledge for Graduate Architects to Enhance Work Performance

The fundamental roles and functions of graduate architects are witnessing a gradual shift in focus from designing buildings to supporting building contract administration. Construction project stakeholders are recognizing a growing need for graduate architects to improve their professional development within the industry for smooth project delivery. The purpose of this study is to identify the types of knowledge required by graduate architects to be competent when supporting the building contract administration work and to enable them to move a step closer to acquiring their professional qualifications. The study design follows a mixed methodology of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. First, a literature review was conducted to form questions for the survey. After the questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews were conducted with practitioners in the industry. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) questionnaires were distributed and one hundred and twenty-seven (127) questionnaires were returned. Data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution analysis and relative importance index (RII). Results from the questionnaire survey were triangulated with semi-structured interviews formed by twenty (20) practicing architects. Data collected from semi-structured interviews have been analyzed using thematic analysis. The result of the questionnaire survey and semi-structure interview both agreed that the most significant knowledge require is legal study knowledge. However, both methods have a different conclusion for least significant knowledge where the survey’s result showed communication and relationship management knowledge while semi-structured interviews’ result showed quality and assessment management less significant. The contribution of this study is perceived as essential for developing graduate architects’ competency in work performance and covers the limitations of the existing studies. Academics can use the outcome of this study as a reference in their teaching modules.