ASSESMENT of DAM CONSTRUCTION PROJECT PERFORMANCE; A CASE STUDY on MEGECH DAM CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Abstract

Construction industry has complexity in its nature because it contains large number of parties as clients, contractors, consultants, stakeholders, shareholders, regulatory bodies and others. Current practice of the construction industry shows that it is a rare event that most construction projects are completed on the scheduled time, budgeted cost and desired quality. The poor performance in Dam construction projects started to receive a great deal of attention because of the complexity of the project from design and implementation. Dam construction projects different problems and challenges this has led to time and cost overrun on the projects. The main objective of the study is to focuses on Assessment of Dam Construction Project performance; Case Study on Megech dam construction project. This study identified the performance of dam construction projects using both qualitative and quantitative approach. The study was carried out based on literatures review, Interview and a questionnaire survey. The collected data using questionnaire used the relative importance index method (RII) and used Spearman Rank’s Correlation Coefficient method to evaluate relationships involving ordinal values. For data collected using interview of focused decision group and Key informant interview used categories to bring together and rearrange those themes the interpretation would be done based on the common points and conceptualizing and explaining issues interrelated to one another in the themes. The analysis is mainly descriptive. The findings revealed that in addition to external challenges slow speed in decision making for critical issues of the project, there is weakness in planning, leading and controlling the project activities and financial constraints are client related challenges. The second findings are underestimation of deadlines and costs for the project Poor management and difficulty in controlling contractors, time consuming in changes of drawing and specification during projects are consultant related challenges. Besides, Poor planning, scheduling and handling of the project by contractors, financial difficulties and delays in payments to subcontractors’ poor quality of workmanship of supply of labor and equipment and raw materials are contractor related challenges that affect the time and cost performance of the project. Megech dam construction project has more than 350% time overrun and the cost of the project varies 142% from the original contract amount. To alleviate these challenges and decrease the time overrun and cost overrun, Client should focus on right of way issues and awareness to the community before commence the construction, Contractor reform organizational structure, avoid interference of higher officials and giving attention for only project completion rather than political issue and Consultants should be design by considering economical and real-condition of feasibility study.