Causes of construction project management delays in public institutions in Ghana: the case of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA)
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Date
2021-06-29
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Abstract
The construction industry globally suffers from various incidences which results in
delay of construction projects with associated effect of increase in cost of project.
The impact of construction delays is felt by all stakeholders associated with project
and not the owners or beneficiaries of the project alone. Specifically, delays in
construction projects affect sponsor, clients, project team members and external
stakeholders and leads to such consequences as disagreement, suspicion, financial
problem and claims, lawsuit, and renegotiations. Studies have shown that even
though project delay is an issue that confront both private and public institutions
especially in developing nations, the problem is more visible in the public sector
than private sector, hence this study to investigate into delays of construction of
public projects under the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA). Aside
the issue indicated above, another issue considered is the fact that of all the
researches which have been conducted in Ghana on the subject of completion of
construction project on schedule without delays, there is gap in literature when it
comes to the case of construction project delivery in the Sekondi-Takoradi
Metropolis. Therefore this study seeks to examine the mechanisms that need to be
put in place to ensure that the issue of construction project delays is effectively
addressed with the objectives to identify the nature of delays confronting project
management in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), determine
the causes of construction project delays in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan
Assembly (STMA) and also probe into the critical success factors required for
effective project management in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly
(STMA). The study was based on the quantitative research method and focussed on
the stakeholders responsible for project management in STMA as the population.
The responses obtained were with the aid of questionnaires which were analysed
using SPSS and presented in descriptive statistics form. Therefore, one hundred and
thirty-nine (139), questionnaires were distributed whiles ninety-two (92) were
retrieved representing a response rate of 66.19. The findings indicated that the major
forms of delays in construction project management in STMA are concurrent delays.
This is followed by non-excusable delays then excusable delays in order of
decreasing importance. In terms of the causes of delays it the study found out that
external cause of delays is the major causes of construction delays in STMA. This
was followed by client related factors then contractor related factors in order of
decreasing importance. In relation to the findings on the effective measures required
for addressing construction delays, the study found out that in STMA has the
following measures in place: effective planning and control of construction project;
the use of detailed drawings for project management and also employment or
engagement of qualified and experienced personnel and contractors for project
execution and management. However, the organization is lagging behind when it
comes to effective communication, development and implementation of standards
for regulating projects, making funds available prior to the commencement of
projects and risk management. It was therefore recommended that STMA should
institute additional measures to improve communication among all the stakeholders
involved in the management of the project under its ambit and also review it
processes for decision making and implementation becomes more streamlined.
Description
College of Art and Built Environment
Department of Construction Technology Management Master of Science Project Management
Keywords
Causes of construction project, Management delays in public institutions in Ghana, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA)