ANALYZING THE PROJECT DELAY CAUSES IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Abstract

Construction projects have experienced major delays in the past decades. Project delay is a big burden in setting up projects. Professionals have established that delay in a project can only be controlled if its symptom is detected and acknowledged on time. A project has been described as a one-time undertaking that is established for a purpose. A questionnaire was designed and used to obtain the stakeholders’ perceptions regarding the causes of project setbacks. The aim of this study is to detect and analyze the causes of project delays and their mitigation strategies. Fifty-four (54) causes of project delays were established through the literature review. Mitigation strategies against project delays were identified. The established mitigation strategies will help construction professionals to improve the successful delivery of projects. The study has proved that every project delay has a remedy. The three major stakeholders collectively contribute to the factors causing project delays. The study revealed that delays in one country may be different from another country. This study discovered that all the stakeholders are experienced and knowledgeable in terms of recognition of the factors creating project delays.