Investigation of major success factors on building construction: the case of bole sub city, addis ababa

Abstract

The construction industry is one of the largest job creators in developing countries and is highly competitive. The high number of project failures suggests the existence of underlying major success factors which have not been identified. Major success factors (MSFs) are inputs to project management practice which can lead directly or indirectly to project success. Ethiopia is one of the developing countries which cannot accomplish its construction industry goals due to lack of identifying different major success factors. This is also true in Bole Sub City. The purpose of this study was to investigate and rank the major success factors in building construction projects of Bole Sub City. This study was conducted in Addis Ababa Bole Sub City on investigating of MSF based on selected respondents. The literature review was conducted and data collection about success factors on building projects was conducted by using questionnaire, desk review and interview. The collected data was analyzed up to end of December, 2015. The main sources of the information were, clients, contractors, consultants and others in building construction projects of Addis Ababa Bole Sub City. Respondents were purposively selected. 120 questionnaires were distributed to 7 contractors, 4 clients, 5 consultants and 2 others companies in order to identify types of success factors. From the identified major success factors; Leadership skills of project manager; project clear objective, adequacy of funding, decision making effectiveness and project monitoring are the highest significant success factors according to their rank order which are evaluated based on their relative importance index. Considering the obtained results of this research, in order to accomplish building construction projects successfully the contractor of the project should have an experienced leader of the project and effective decision maker project manager. Client should ensure adequate preparation for fund is made before projects are started and the objective of project should be clearly stated for constructing parties.