Assessing delay in construction projects in Jasikan District of Ghana

Abstract

Construction Industry in Ghana is facing a serious issue of construction delay causing a significant amount of time over run and cost overrun. Various studies have addressed the issue of construction delay, however, most of studies focused on identifying causes of delay. Less attention has been paid to addressing the issue of construction delay. Hence this study aimed to assess the strategies to minimize delays in construction projects in Jasikan District of Ghana. A comprehensive literature review from various sources through books, the internet, and civil engineering journals were made to carry out the study. Investigative approach for the study was qualitative research. Purposeful sampling technique was used in this study. Population sample of 115 was used in this study among experts in the construction industry. The population included project managers, foremen, and artisans. It is important to note that most Construction projects in Jasikan District of Ghana were experiencing delay (time overrun). Notably, the study showed that, there were six issues that affects delays in construction projects. These are time overrun, cost overrun, abandonment, litigation, arbitration and claims. The research also revealed that there were forty-seven (47) factors that cause construction projects delay. A total of seven groups of these factors were identified that contributed to the cause of construction delays. The research also showed seventeen strategies or methods of minimizing construction delays based on literature review and questionnaire survey and interview. Data collection for the study were in two broad areas. The primary sources such as structured interviews and visits and observations while the secondary source was questionnaires. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 16.0) with simple table analysis and descriptive statistics, calculation of mean score to rank the various causes, effects and methods of minimizing construction projects delays. The study concluded with eleven (11) recommendations that were made to address the findings of the study.