Enhancing building maintainability through early supplier involvement in the design process

Abstract The post-construction phase represents a critical milestone in the project lifecycle. This is because design errors and omissions as well construction defects are examined during this phase. traditional procurement approaches that commonly adopted projects separate from construction, which inhibits contractors, suppliers other parties providing team with constructive comments feedback to improve design. Consequently, lack of considering maintainability aspects process results increasing maintenance operation costs reducing building performance. research aims investigate role early supplier involvement (ESI) an approach for enhancing maintainability. To achieve aim, methodology consisted literature review, case studies survey questionnaire was designed accomplish four objectives. Firstly, review used examine concepts maintenance, maintainability, ESI. Secondly, three were presented analysed ESI towards process. Thirdly, conducted representative sample architectural firms (ADFs) Egypt their perception application Finally, developed framework facilitate ADFs Egypt. Data analysis showed ‘Difficulty trusting external sharing information transparency’ ranked highest challenge