An investigation into the causes of construction delays in capital projects in Namibia
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The majority of capital projects in Namibia do not get completed within the initially
set targets in terms of time. Project delays frustrate the process of development, have an immeasurable cost implication on the society and also lead to loss of reputation of the parties involved in the projects’ execution. There has been an increase in expenditure in recent years towards capital projects in the country, yet those that are to benefit from the projects are concerned with completion of these infrastructures.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes of construction delays in capital projects in Namibia. Forty (40) causes of capital project delays were identified through literature review. Questionnaires were administered across stakeholders that included project coordinators at the Ministry of Works and Transport (Department of Works)Architects, Quantity Surveyors and Engineers registered with the different professional bodies, to gather their views on causes of construction delays. A mixed method approach was applied for this research. The study grouped the causes of delay into four main groups of client/user – client related, consultant related, contractor related and external related. They were then assessed for their impacts on delay using the Relative Importance Index (RII) as a basis for analysis and ranking of the causes of delays. In addition to the identified causes of delays, the sampled experts were also request to provide expert opinions on what they deem to be factors causing delay on the construction of capital projects, as well as the mitigating measures thereof. The most important causes were slowness in decision making by the client due to bureaucracy, delayed payments for work done by the client to the contractor, stoppage
of work on-site due to cashflow constraints on the part of the client, financial
indiscipline on the part of the contractor, poor site management and supervision on the
part of the contractor and difficulties in financing the project by the contractor. The
study submits a number of recommendations in mitigating delays for the client/user
client, consultants, contractors and for external related delays which amongst others include hastening the decision-making process on the part of the client and timely settlement of interim payments to contractors. Also, improved communication amongst consultants, financial discipline for the contractors and the timely analysis of environmental and soil conditions ahead of actual construction.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration (Management Strategy)
Keywords
Construction delays, Capital projects, Clients, Consultants, Contractors