SAMPLE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Different studies were done about delays due to cost overrun and many studies were done about its causes
and effects. Construction delay is considered one of the most recurring problems in the construction
industry. Construction projects can be delayed as a result of a large number of factors as well as the cost
overrun. These causes and effects are from delays and these delays roots the cost overrun of the
construction projects.

Different theories were developed about the causes and effects of delays.

The purpose of this study was to examine the major causes of project delays and costs/risks that arise from
project delays when implementing public construction projects in Gasabo district, Kigali City. The objectives
were; to assess the relationship between project expected time and real time, determine project expected
cost and real cost, to calculate both project delay and cost overruns and finally to identify the relationship
between public construction project delay and their respective cost overruns. The study adopted a
descriptive survey research design. Data were collected using open-ended questionnaire. Research
samples were randomly selected from a total of 42 public construction project managers, consultants/
implementers for projects that had been ongoing for the period 2009 until 2012. A sample of 38
respondents was taken to assure a 95% significant result. To examine the nature of project delays and cost
overruns, project delays and cost overruns were calculated, compared and regressed. The study revealed
that 65.7% of public construction projects which were implemented between 2009-2012 were delayed,
whereas only 5.2% of these projects faced cost overruns. From the results, the study recommends the use
efficient mitigation techniques for planning efficiency rather formalities.
(Musirikare Mihigo Amandin and Julius Warren Kule, 2016)

Construction delay has become endemic in Nigeria. It is imperative to create awareness of the extent to
which delays can adversely aect project delivery. This paper identies, by questionnaire evaluates and
through empirical method assesses the eects of construction delays. The ndings showed that time and
cost overruns were frequent eects of delay. Delay had signicant eect on completion cost and time of 61
building projects studied. Client-related delay is signicant in Nigeria. Acceleration of site activities coupled
with improved clients project management procedure and inclusion of appropriate contingency allowance
in precontract estimate should assuage the adverse eect of construction delays.
(A.A. Aibinu and G.O. Jagboro, 2002)

Construction delays can be defined as the late completion of work compared to the planned schedule or
contract schedule. Construction delays can be minimized only when their causes are identified. The
objective of this study was to identify the major causes of construction delays, effects of delays and
methods of minimizing construction delays. This study was carried out based on literature review and a

questionnaire survey. The objectives of the study were successfully achieved. The top three most important
factors that contributed to the causes of delays were late in revising and approving design documents,
delays in sub-contractors work, and poor communication and coordination change orders by owner during
construction. Contractor-related delays was ranked the most significant groups that cause delays, followed
by client-related delays, and consultant-related delays. Time and cost overrun were the common effects of
delays in construction projects. To minimize delays in construction projects it has been identified that the
top three effective methods of minimizing construction delays includes: site management and supervision,
effective strategic planning, and clear information and communication channel.
(Prakash, Rao B. and Joseph Camron Culas, 2014)

Delays and disruptions are among the challenges faced in the course of executing construction projects.
Delays as well as disruptions are sources of potential risks that current studies are looking into ways to
manage such as technical, social, economic, legal, financial, resource, construction and commercial. The
purpose of this research is to assess causes and effects and disruptions in construction projects. This
study is descriptive, designed to obtain views from clients, consulting firms, regulatory boards and
construction firms in regard to causes and effects of delays in construction projects. Two sampling
techniques were used to select respondents namely: purposive and random sampling. Literature review,
questionnaires and interviews techniques were used to collect data for the study. Findings reveal that the
main causes of delays and disruptions are: design changes, delays in payment to contractors, information
delays, funding problems, poor project management, compensation issues and disagreement on the
valuation of work done. On the other hand, time overrun, cost overrun, negative social impact, idling
resources and disputes are the main effects of delays and disruptions. The study concludes that there still
exist a number of causes of delays and disruptions and their effects put construction projects at great risk
that have an effect on their performance. It is therefore recommended that adequate construction budget,
timely issuing of information, finalization of design and project management skills should be the main focus
of the parties in project procurement process.
(Geraldine John Kikwasi, 2013)

The problem of project delays is a fact that occurs mostly in construction industry of Pakistan. Delays are
always measured as expensive to all parties concerned in the projects and very often it will result in clash,
claims, total desertion and much difficult for the feasibility and it slows the growth of construction sector. For
analyzing the causes of delay, an appraisal on construction projects time performance was conducted. The
main objective of this study is the identification of factors of delay and their effects on the success and
completion of project. The most common factor of delay are natural disaster in Pakistan like flood and
earthquake and some others like financial and payment problems, improper planning, poor site
management, insufficient experience, shortage of materials and equipment etc. This paper covers the delay
factors and causes of delay and some suggestion for reducing these delays in large construction projects in
Pakistan.
(M. Haseeb, Xinhai-Lu, Aneesa Bibi, Maloof-ud-Dyian, and Wahab Rabbani, 2011)

Delay is one of the biggest problems often experienced on construction project sites. Delays can instigates
negative effects such as increased costs, loss of productivity and revenue many lawsuits between owners
and contractors and contract termination. The aim of this project is to investigate the causes and effects of
delay on building construction project delivery time. Random sampling technique was used in this study.
Population sample of 150 was used in this work. A total sample of ninety three (93) was deployed. A
structured questionnaire in Likert scale was used in data collection. There are many factors that induce
delay on construction projects, however in some of identified factors includes: lack of funds to finance the
project to completion, changes in drawings, lack of effective communication among the parties involved ,
lack of adequate information from consultants, slow decision making and contractors insolvency,
variations among others. Also, project management problem, mistake and discrepancies in contract
document, equipment availability and failure, mistakes during construction, bad weather, fluctuation in
prices of building materials, inappropriate overall organizational structure linking to the project and labor.
The factors above could be observed and could be a clue to preventing delay on construction sites.
(Owolabi James D., Amusan Lekan M., Oloke C. O., Olusanya O., Tunji- Olayeni P., Owolabi Dele,
PeterJoy, and Omuh Ignatious, 2014)

Based on these different related literatures from different countries, delay is indeed a big problem in a
construction projects and it has different causes and effects and somehow connected to cost overrun. The
researchers focused on both cost overrun, delays, causes and effects in selected construction projects,
somehow delays are interconnected to cost overrun yet it has its own causes and effects like the delays.
These related literatures showed both causes and effects of cost overrun and delays relatively and also
separately, these studies and researches will help the researchers to understand more on how to
elaborately discuss and form a theory on how to solve the delays and the cost overrun and find the root of
its causes and effects that will be helpful and useful to the construction management. These related
literatures will also give a hand to the researchers to conduct the research study appropriately.