Overcoming Failures in Construction Project Deliveries: A Study

This report investigates the failures in construction project deliveries and proposes strategies for overcoming them. The introduction outlines the research's background, rationale, aims, objectives, and research questions, setting the stage for an in-depth analysis. The literature review explores the concept of construction project deliveries, identifies the reasons for project failures (including inadequate planning, poor communication, and risk management issues), and discusses potential solutions. The research methodology section details the use of primary and secondary sources, a qualitative research method, and a questionnaire-based data collection approach involving 50 respondents. The data analysis and interpretation sections analyze the collected data to identify the key factors contributing to project failures and to evaluate the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies. The findings highlight the importance of proper planning, effective communication, and a proactive approach in ensuring project success. The conclusion summarizes the research findings and offers recommendations for project managers to improve project outcomes. The report emphasizes the need for clear project plans, risk management, and good relations among stakeholders to overcome challenges and achieve successful construction project deliveries. This report offers valuable insights for construction professionals aiming to improve project outcomes and ensure project success.

The failure in the
Construction Project
Delivery

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Overview of topic...................................................................................................................1
Background of the research....................................................................................................1
Rationale of research..............................................................................................................2
Research aim..........................................................................................................................2
Research objectives................................................................................................................2
Research questions.................................................................................................................2
Conceptual framework of research:........................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................5
Concept of construction project deliveries.............................................................................5
Reasons for failure of construction project deliveries............................................................8
Ways through which possibilities of failure in construction project deliveries can be reduced
................................................................................................................................................9
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................12
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION...........................................................................18
Data analysis.........................................................................................................................18
Data interpretation................................................................................................................21
FINDINDGS..................................................................................................................................23
CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION.....................................................................................32
Conclusion............................................................................................................................32
Recommendations................................................................................................................33
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................34
Appendices.....................................................................................................................................36

ABSTRACT
This research is conducted in order to understand reasons behind failure of construction
project and taking actions to manage it. There are some issues such as improper planning, lack of
experience to project manager, etc. which arise incompletion of construction project. In this
research, information is collected from primary and secondary sources and qualitative research
method is used. Number of respondents are 50 including employees at construction site and
project owners. Questionnaire is used to collect opinion and view of respondents. At last it is
analysed that with proper planning, communication technique, using pro- active approach it is
easy to complete project.

TITLE:
"The failures in construction project deliveries: how to overcome the failures and manage
them."
MAIN BODY OF DISSERTATION
INTRODUCTION
Overview of topic
Construction is a kind of work which is performed to build something such as building,
bridge, hall, etc. This is the way to transform land through clearing, excavating and grading to
build some structure or property, dam, road, etc. Construction requires different activities to get
positive outcome. It is important to understand relevance of each and every activity through
which construction can be best and effective (Ahiaga-Dagbui and Smith, 2014). In this research,
there is discussion about failures which are caused in construction projects and measures through
which it can be resolved. In addition, construction projects introduce as the organized effort to
build or construct a building or other organised structure in the area of architecture and civil
engineering, construction projects include the process or activity that belongs to tangibly
assembling a building or infrastructure. It incorporates different number of mini-projects because
it not an individual activity.
1

Background of the research
Construction projects in large scale require human multitasking and sufficient amount of
capital. This dissertation is based on the failures in construction project deliveries and identify
different ways through which failure can be managed effectively. There are different reasons for
failure of construction projects, including, inadequate planning, failure to communicate, scope
creep & change orders, productivity problems & delays, poor management, risk management
gone wrong, no accountability, lack of visibility, ignoring red flags and many other. All these are
considered biggest issues in delivering of construction project which will impact on construction
industry in negative manner (Alzahrani and Emsley, 2013). Therefore, in order to overcome all
these failures of construction project, different ways should be followed by project manager such
as; review time cards and labour productivity, complete daily reports for job site visibility and
effective document control procedures. Thus, with the help of above ways impact of failure in
constriction project can be overcome and managed by the project manager.
Rationale of research
By conducting this research, it is easy for researcher to understand reasons of failure of
construction project. This area is of researcher's interest so this makes research more innovative
and creative. These days, there are many construction projects which gets failed because of
improper planning regarding activities and resources, so with this research, researcher is able to
understand reasons of construction project failure and to avoid them in near future. Therefore,
main reason behind selecting this topic or research is to identify the failures in construction
project deliveries and ways through which failure can be overcome and managed effectively. It is
a biggest topic that help an investigator to enhance their literature review skills, data analysis
knowledge and data collection skills (Dadfar, Brege and Sarah Ebadzadeh Semnani, 2013). Thus,
it will help them in its personal as well as professional development and growth. Along with this,
through this research, an investigator can easily increase awareness about the failure in
construction project amongst construction project manager in all over the world.
Research aim
“To evaluate the failures caused in construction project deliveries and ways to
overcome the failures and manage them.”
2

Research objectives
 To understand the concept of construction project deliveries.
 To determine the reasons for failure of construction project deliveries.
 To ascertain the ways through which possibilities of failure in construction project
deliveries can be reduced.
Research questions
 Do you understand the concept of construction project deliveries?
 What are the reasons for failure of construction project deliveries?
 What are the ways through which possibilities of failure in construction project deliveries
can be reduced?
Conceptual framework of research:
It is most essential part of research which will help an investigator to identify structure or
framework of dissertation. In order to complete each activity of dissertation, different chapters
should be following by researcher. Important chapter for completion of dissertation are explain
as under:
Chapter 1: Introduction: It is a first chapter which includes accurate details about the
project. In this chapter, different number of sub-sections will be included such as; overview of
the research, background of the research, research aim, research questions and objectives,
rational of the research etc. Therefore, all these are considered main part of researcher, which
will help a researcher to do next chapter in effective and systematic manner (Forcada and et. al.,
2013).
Chapter 2: Literature Review: This is another main chapter for identifying accurate and
in-depth information about the failure in delivering of constriction project and also ways through
which failure can be reduced or managed effectively. In this chapter, different articles related to
the topic will be used by researcher with purpose to identifying gaps or conflict in previous
study.
Chapter 3: Methodology: For doing this section, various number of methods will be
needed by researcher such as primary and secondary research, qualitative and qualitative
research, sampling method, data collection tools etc. All these are considered essential methods
because with the help of this, they can easily collect reliable and valid data about the study
(Hwang and Ng, 2013).
3

Chapter 4: Data analysis and interpretation: In this chapter, questionnaire will be made
by researcher in order to identifying main reason behind failure in construction project. With the
help of data analysis, an investigator can easily know response of respondents about the impact
of failure in construction project. Along with this, interpretation will be done with the help of
questionnaire. Thus, it is important chapter for completing research activities in systematic and
proper manner.
Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendation: It is a last chapter of dissertation which
will help a researcher in identifying main issues in construction project and ways related to
overcoming failure easily. In this section, some recommendation will be provided to project
manager about how to overcome failure in construction project.
4

LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature review is the study of research objectives with the help of some author's point
of view and collect it in summarise form. It is a scholarly paper which covers the actual
understanding about substantive findings as well as methodological and theoretical contribution
to a specific area of research (Love, Lopez and Edwards, 2013).
Concept of construction project deliveries
Project delivery refers to the process of contracting and biding for construction. Project
delivery method is system used by individuals or owners for organising, financing and designing
construction and maintenance function of any structure. There are some terms and conditions
which is agreed by contractor and contracted under construction contract agreement.
Construction is long time process. There are different activities which has to be followed by
construction manager to get positive outcome. There are different types of construction project
delivery such as Design Bid Build, design build, build operate transfer, general contractor,
integrated project delivery, etc. These projects have their own plans and policies. So, in this case,
policies are required to be clear to parties of construction. It is important for project managers to
properly analyse factors and maintain some risk factor to get positive outcome. According to
Grace Elis, 2017, there are some factors such as budget, design, risk, schedule, owner expertise
which has to be considered by managers while planning for construction project. With
considering these points, possibilities of project failure are less and project is completed within
specified time and budget.
With managing projects in better and manner, it is easy to complete construction project
within specified time and budget. Construction work continues for longer period of time, so in
this case there are possibilities that resources gets affected. This affects working progress rate of
construction in negative manner so project might complete with imperfection. There are different
methods through which project can be planned. These are the ways in which some terms and
conditions on which project manager and contracted both agrees (Lock, 2016). Some methods of
project management are discussed as under-
Design- Bid- Build (DBB)- This is the oldest method which is used to create separation
between design and construction process. In this method, there is bidding of lowest construction
price. In this method initially, architect or engineer are hired for the purpose of making schedule
5

and develop cost estimation. Cost is finalised through bidding and this finalise contractor for the
project. Engineer is responsible to select best bid and then with contract among constructor and
opposite party is done. This is the legal document which contains all the terms and conditions
about construction project and establish legal relations among contractor and contractee. In this
project, there are possibilities of increase in cost because of difference in budget set by engineer
and constructability in field. While bidding, if lowest price is quoted, then there are possibilities
of decrease in quality of project. So, this budget is best for the projects which are simple and
have limited budget with no time boundation.
Design Build (DB)- This is the method which is beneficial for projects which has less
time to be completed. Hence in this case party hires an individual or group of individuals in order
to complete project within specified time. In this project start and end date of project are clear in
advance to contractor. Hence it is responsibility of constructor or group of people to design and
finish construction work within time. Contractee has to divide proper roles and responsibilities
among them.
Construction manager at Risk (CMAR)- This is the method in which construction
manager is hired by individual for the purpose of construction, planning and responsible for risk
associate with project such as quality, proven track record, etc. Hence contractor is liable in case
of any damage. Cost of this project is generally high because risk, construction work and design
work are charged separately. These projects are charged with cost plus fixed fee structure and
cost of labour is pass on to contactee (Harrison and Lock, 2017). This contract method is used by
individual with trusted contactors because it is tough to set price in this type of project.
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)- In this method, there is joint collaboration between
architecture, contractor and contractee. So, they jointly conduct operations after setting aims and
objectives. In this method, there are more possibilities of getting efficiency because of team work
and risk gets reduced. This project management method is best for complex project planned by
private entities within specified time.
With the help of these project plans it is easy to make clear roles and responsibilities
which is specific for achieving aims and objectives. In construction project it is important that
there are good relations among contractee. This is crucial and relevant for understanding changes
which are taking place in components of project.
6

According to Tyler Riddell, 2019 there are some steps which help to get correct and
positive outcome with construction project.
Project conception and initiation- This is the first step of construction project. In this
step, individual makes an overview of construction. They gather and analyse all the resources
such as expertise knowledge, designing, etc. It is important to collect information from the
trusted sources because construction project continues for longer time. There are two ways in
which evaluation of project can be done i.e. through feasibility study and business case
document. In feasibility study, analysis of goals, cost, time, etc. is done. While in business case
document, there is discussion about reason for starting project, financial advantage, etc. After
analysing all the factors, it is easy to understand clearly and in case project is impossible, then
idea gets cancel and proper planning has to be done.
Project Definition/ Planning- After approval of project, planning is done related to
resources required to conduct project. In this stage, there is legal contract which provide
information of type of project construction project, etc. This makes contract registered under
legal norms, so terms and policies are clear and understood by both the parties. Hence
possibilities of conflicts become nil. In this stage analysis is done regarding sources which are
required to complete project. In case of any issue, it has to be resolved in this stage such as time
to complete project, etc.
Project Launch/ execution- This is the one major step in construction project. In this
step, execution for conducting project activities has to be done. Contractor starts construction
work in this stage with consent of owner and joint efforts of team mates. In this stage it is
responsibility of project manager to make clear workers about their roles and responsibilities, so
duplication of activities is low and constructor has to regularly check growth rate of project and
quality of working.
Project Performance/ control- This is the stage in which evaluation of project is done.
There are possibilities of two outcome either positive or negative. In case of negative outcome,
reasons have to be identified and corrective actions has to be taken. There are possibilities of
change in external policies of society, so in this case it responsibility of project managers to
analyse its impact on research project and take corrective actions to avoid negative influence.
Project close- At last, after proper evaluation and control, projects gets complete within
specified time and budget. With following above all the steps, project manager can give
7

satisfaction to owner. There is proper meeting among parties of project in which evaluation
details are explored which provides clear information about issues which arise while conducting
construction project.
Reasons for failure of construction project deliveries
Project failure is one of the major issues which arise while conducting project in
construction sector. There are some issues which are the reasons of construction project failure.
Due to these reasons project fails and result in wastage of financial as well human resources.
There are possibilities that dissatisfaction of client arises possibilities of disputes. According to
Michelle Symonds, 2019 some reasons are discussed which affects performance of project such
as lack of effective communication, no formal tools and strategies, improper distribution of
work, ineffective leadership, lack of experience and training, improper planning for risk
management, etc. These are the reasons due to which construction project may get failed.
Project manager, contractor, engineer, owner, team, mates, etc. are parties which are
directly related with construction project, so in this case in case of lack of their participation,
project may get fail. Apart from this project conducts in society, so there are some external
sources as well which affects project completion stages. According to Rosanne Lim, 2018 there
are some issues which results in failure of research project.
Poor preparation- In case of improper preparation there are some uncertainties arise
while conducting construction project which results in failure of project. For instance: while
conducting project, supplier of raw material, increase their price. This affects progress rate of
construction and it may lead to stoppage of work or exceed time deadline.
Bad Leadership- Construction project can be completed with the help of group of people.
There is requirement of number of labourers who conduct activities for completion of
construction project. So, it is important that they are guided. Engineer makes design of the
structure. For instance: engineer makes design for building house and labour and contractor does
not have knowledge about direction of room, hall, etc. Then project may get delay or structure
may get diluted with results in wastage of resources.
Inexperienced project manager- If project manager is inexperienced, then project cannot
complete with specified time and with good quality services. This increases failure of project. If
project manager does not have knowledge about resources required to conduct project, then
8

individual is not able to set budget. Project manager does not have good relations with suppliers
which affects project completion rate.
Lack of communication- Communication is the key while conducting construction
project. In case of improper communication among Owner, engineer, project manager, etc. then
project might get fail. For instance: there is change in direction of room as per astrology and this
change does not communicated to project manager, building structure gets in wrong direction
and project might get fail.
Inappropriate documentation and tracking- Construction project runs for longer
duration of time, so documentation of terms and condition, resources, etc. affects completion of
project. If there is no clear documentation registered under legal norms, then project gets fail
because there is no legal enforcement in case of default.
Cultural and ethical misalignment- There are some cultural and ethical aspects which
has to be kept in mind by project manager. There is difference in cultural, ethical values of
individuals. So, it has to be valued. This makes everyone valuable for successful completion of
project. So, in case contractor does not give value to various cultural and ethical aspects, then
project may get fail.
While conducting risk, scope, cost, quality, resources, budget, schedule, etc. are
considered. If these factors are too considered, then project may get fail. Construction project
will be conducted for longer period of time, so in this case external changes takes place. If
constructor does analyse and accept those alterations, then this arises possibilities of failure of
project. There is requirement of good amount of finance to make building, house, dam, road,
bridge. In case there is lack of financial resources, then this might result in failure of project or it
gets delayed. There are possibilities that workers left work in between because of strike, lock out,
etc. Trade union are not ready to work, so this affects progress rate of construction project.
Quality of raw material which used to construct project so possibilities of project fail risk gets
lower.
Ways through which possibilities of failure in construction project deliveries can be reduced
In order to get positive impact on construction project. There are some techniques such as
proper planning which is important to get correct outcome. Construction project is time and cost
consuming, so project managers has to plan activities proper and communicate to workforce to
get positive outcome. According to Tyler Riddell, 2019 proper communication, planning,
9