Premature Project Closure: The Part Played by Clients

Abstract

All projects regardless of complexity, have a documented start and end date. However, some projects may close prematurely because predefined goals cannot be met within the defined schedule. Negligence by one a more project stakeholders can result in premature project closure. This study examines how clients contribute to premature project closure in construction projects within South Africa. The nature of the study is descriptive which was carried out through survey research. A Likert scale structured questionnaire was used to collect data from construction professionals within Gauteng Province of South Africa and retrieved data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that the major clients' actions that can lead to premature project closure include untimely allocation of resources and setting of unrealistic goals. It was therefore concluded that clients must ensure that projects are properly planned, and the predefined project design and timeline must be appropriately adhered to without much interference. This will reduce the risk of premature project closure.