| Abstract: | Construction industry is one of the significant contributors to the economic growth and
development of Ethiopia. However problem of delays in the construction sector is a global
phenomenon and the construction sector in Ethiopia is no exception. Therefore, the aim of this
study was to assess the main causes of construction project delay in building construction of
grade one building contractors in Addis Ababa. A questionnaire survey was used for data
collection and fifty-six (56) questionnaires were completed and analyzed. Using a simple ordinal
scale, based on a 5-point Likert Scale, professionals, contractors and consultants expressed their
views on the relative importance of thirty-six (31) pre-selected factors on construction project
delays. Feedback from a survey administered to, contractors were analyzed using Relative
Importance Index (RII). According to the results, inadequate site management, contractor
financial difficulties, inefficient scheduling, and construction errors. From the top 10 delaying
factors, causes those are related to consultant and significantly affect the completion time of
building construction project are mistake in design document and poor communication with the
design engineer. Client related factors those are included in the most frequent factors are slow
decision making, improper feasibility study and interference during actual construction work. In
Addis Ababa, the primary cause of construction project delays for grade one building
contractors is the scarcity of materials, which is the only external issue listed in the top ten
delaying factors. Association result shows that Contractor related factors played the major role
in delaying construction; the second one is client related factor. Then consultant related factor
follows as third factor. The fourth and final factor is external factors. Construction frontline
players are recommended to put their efforts on the identified key factors in relation to their
magnitudes of influence. By doing so, the causes of project delays in Addis Ababa building
construction could be significantly reduced or controlled, which will ultimately lead to the on
time and within budget completion of projects. |
