Abstract
Over time, organisations like XYZ Rail have employed project management techniques to create and deliver products, services, and innovative technologies as efficiently as possible. This has been driven by an increased awareness among consumers, advancements in technology, and the fast-evolving nature of the contemporary world. The organisation has however been faced with challenges to deliver projects within time, which has interrupted the train deployment to commuters who rely on rail as a means of transport and has also opened up potential penalties from the client due to late deliveries.
The current study aims to investigate the problem of failure to deliver rail manufacturing projects on time, by analysing factors contributing to schedule failures and find mitigation strategies that need to be implemented to manage and reduce the impact of project schedule failures and improve project performance.
A quantitative research approach was selected. A questionnaire was used as a means of data collection method from project management professionals working in the rail manufacturing industry. The literature reviewed was confirmed by the findings analysed from the data collected. The following critical factors were confirmed; late delivery of materials, late supplier payments, poor project planning, design issues, poor project communication and inadequate resource allocations. Mitigation strategies to manage and reduce the impact of these factors were highlighted in the study.
The findings of this study could be used as guidelines for the project management office, to avoid, reduce and manage these factors contributing to project schedule failures to improve productivity, profitability and safety during train manufacturing.