ASSESMENT of CAUSES, EFFECTS and METHODS of MINIMIZING DELAY DUE to MAIN CONTRACTORS ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: A CASE of ETHIOPIAN CONSTRUCTION WORKS CORPORATION

Abstract

The construction industry contributes significantly to many countries’ gross domestic products (GDP).Construction delays are occurring in every phase of a construction project and are common problems in construction projects in Ethiopia. Moreover, it is well known that the delays in construction projects are the major causes of project failure. Delays can be caused by owner, Engineer, contractor, subcontractors and other related reasons. The delay caused by Main contractors has an impact on all of the contracting parties. This research questions what the causes, Effects and methods of minimizing delay due to main contractor on mentioned study area. And has an objective of assessing what the causes of delay due to main contractors are, their effects and methods of minimizing the causes and effects of project delay due to main contractors. As this study is a case study, three (3) projects are chosen from ECWC. A questionnaire survey for the three projects contractors, consultants and clients was conducted. The perspectives of all the contractors, consultants and clients are ranked based on Relative Importance index (RII). And also, key informant interview for each of the 3 projects has been conducted. The study indicated that the top major causes of delay due to main contractors in ECWC on Megech Dam Construction project are Delay in subcontractor’s works, Ineffective resource utilization, Unavailability and poor supply of construction materials. On Ethio ICT are Difficulties in financing the project by the contractor, Unavailability and poor supply of construction materials, Delay in subcontractor’s works. On Begondi – Wenbera road construction project delay in site mobilization, Rework due to errors during construction, Poor and ineffective planning & scheduling. Whereas the main effects of delay on all of the three projects were time overrun and cost overrun. The study also indicated the minimization methods of the causes and effects of delay in ECWC on the three projects. On Megech Dam Construction Project, the minimization methods were use of experienced subcontractors and suppliers, Effective resource utilization, gather the right resource. On Ethio ICT Village construction project, adequate funding throughout the project, Effective planning and scheduling, Use of experienced subcontractor, And on Begondi Wenbera Road construction Project, quick site mobilization, Avoid rework, Effective planning & scheduling were indicated. The study also concluded that the main top cause of Megech Dam Construction project , Ethio ICT and Begondi – Wenbera Road Construction Projects are Delay in subcontractor’s works, Difficulties in financing the project by the contractor and Delay in site mobilization respectively and time overrun, cost overrun are the main effects of delay on all the three projects.