Abstract
Construction projects are well known to fail or delays beyond their intended contractual duration due to multiple of reasons that pertains to project management. The commonly used construction term for such project management deferrals is referred to as delays.
Delays of construction project in developing countries are disadvantageous for the economy’s progression. Therefore the research aims to determine the causes of delays in the South African construction industry, predominantly focused around Eskom capital expansion projects. It also seeks to identify potential project management activities to manage the causes of delays.
The motive for conducting this research is to improve and develop the project managers’ knowledge and skills regarding project delays and how to management them. And also contribute in developing the project management society about the delays identified both locally and in the internationals constructions industries.
Quantitative methodology outlining the research investigations was used to carry out the study. Snowballing sampling technique was applied to collect primary data, with the use of structured hand-outs, questionnaires and emails. Data was collected in three of Eskom construction sites.
In addressing question one of the research, an initial 38 common delays were researched from various literatures on the same topic. From the 38 delays found in literature, the top 20 common causes were derived. Thereafter the highest top 5 and the least rated 5 of the 20 common causes of delays were selected for discussion.
Subsequently the potential project management activities to manage the identified the causes of delays were researched and tabled. The top 5 rated causes of delays were matched with the ideal project management activities and further elaborated with supporting literature and survey results...
M.Phil. (Engineering Management)