AMBO UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTION OF TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMET OF CIVIL ENGIEERIG
ASSESSMENT OF THE MAGNITUDE OF BUILDINGCONSTRUCTION PROJECT DELAY
AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN AMBO
TOWN, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA
A PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO AMBO UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
ENGINEERING.
By:Haregewoin Olansa (BSc in Civil Eng.)
Advisor:Emer T. Quezon (Prof.)
May 2019
Ambo, Ethiopia
DECLARATION
I,
theundersigned,
declare
that
this
thesis
proposal
entitled;
“ASSESSMENT
OF
CONSTRUCTIONPROJECTSDELAY AND ASSOCAITED FACTORS IN AMBO TOWN,
ETHIOPIA” is my original work, and hasbeen not presented by other person for an award of
degree in this or any other university, and all sources of material used for this thesis proposal
have to be duly acknowledged
Candidate:
Haregewoin Olansa
________________________
__________________
Signature
Date
As mastersResearch advisor, I hereby certified that I have read and evaluated this MSc Thesis
proposal prepared under my guidance by Haregewoin Olansa entitled :ASSESSMENT OF
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS DELAY AND ITS ASSOCAITED FACTORS IN AMBO
TOWN, ETHIOPIA
Dr. Girmay Kasay
Main advisor
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____________________
Signature
_________________
Date
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Ambo University to give us this significant
chance to develop the proposal.
My special thanks also gotomy advisor Prof. Emer T. Quezon, Ambo University for his
unreserved constructive guidance through proposal development.
At last but not least I want to thank all my families and friends who are assistingme to develop
this proposal
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EXCUTIVE SUMMARY
Background:Construction delay is considered as one of the most frequent and major problem in
the construction industry. Delay has an opposing impact on project achievement in terms of time,
cost and quality and safety. The effects of construction delays are not confined to the
construction industry only, but influence the overall economy of a country like UAE, where
construction plays a major role in its development and contributes alot to the GDP. Thus, this
study aimed to assess the magnitude of this problem and identify the most significant causes of
delay in order to avoid or minimise their impact on construction projects
Objective:The objective of this study is to assess the magnitude of construction project delay and
its associated factors among construction projects in Ambo town, Ethiopia 2019
Methods and materials: Institution based cross sectional study design will be used on a total
sample of 288. Study area was selected through convenient method. Having delay projects and
related factors outcomes as outcomes variables I will develop data collection tools from different
literaturesand willadapt to local context. Study subject will be selected using systematic random
sampling method, and adopted data collection tools is used. The data will be analyzed using
SPSS (statistical package for social science) to analze frequency and factors assoctiated to our
study (95% CI COR and AOR)through bivariate and multivariate analysis. Variables will be
considered as statistically saignificant at a p-value of 0.05 in 95% confidence interval. Then
study findings will be presented in text, tables, charts and figures.
Result:This study is expected to assess the magnitude of construction delay and factors
determining the delay of construction projects at Ambo town.
Work plan: The study will be conducted from Fubruary 2019 to December 2019 G.C
Budget breakdown: About 1172 Ethiopian birr will be needed to carry out this study
Key words: Project Delay, Overrun Cost, Ambo Town
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
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Page
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Acrnomys
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CHAPTER ONE
1. Introduction
1.1.Background
In the construction industry, the aim of project control is to ensure that projects finish on time,
within budget and achieve other project objectives. It is a complex task undertaken by project
managers in practice, which involves constantly measuring progress, evaluating plans and taking
corrective actions when required (Kerzner, 2003 Kerzner, H. 2003. Project Management: A
Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and
Sons. [Google Scholar]). During the last few decades, numerous project control methods, such as
Gantt Bar Chart, Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) and Critical Path Method
(CPM) have been developed (Lester, 2000 Lester, A. 2000. Project Planning and Control,
Oxford: Butterworth‐Heinemann. [Google Scholar]; Nicholas, 2001 Nicholas, J. 2001. Project
Management for Business and Technology, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. [Google
Scholar]). A variety of software packages have become available to support the application of
these project control methods, for example Microsoft Project, Asta Power Project, Primavera,
etc. Despite the wide use of these methods and software packages in practice, many construction
projects still suffer time and cost overruns.
In construction, delay could be defined as the time overrun either beyond completion date
specified in a contract, or beyond the date that the parties agreed upon for delivery of a project. It
is a project slipping over its planned schedule and is considered as common problem in
construction projects. To the owner, delay means loss of revenue through lack of production
facilities and rent-able space or a dependence on present facilities. In some cases, to the
contractor, delay means higher overhead costs because of longer work period, higher material
costs through inflation, and due to labor cost increases.
Completing projects on time is an indicator of efficiency, but the construction process is subject
to many variables and unpredictable factors, which result from many sources. These sources
include the performance of parties, resources availability, environmental conditions, involvement
of other parties, and contractual relations. However, it is rarely happen that a project is
completed within the specified time.
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1.2. Statement of problem
A construction project is commonly acknowledged as successful, when it is completed on
schedule and within the agreed budget, with the highest quality and in the safest manner, in
accordance with the specifications and to stakeholders’ satisfaction.Delays occur in every
construction project and the significant of these delays varies considerably from project to
project. Construction delays are disruptive and expensive. The six significant factors found to be
contributing to delays in building and civil engineering works are unforeseen ground conditions,
poor site supervisions, low speed of decision making involving all project teams, client initiated
variations, necessary variations of work, and inadequate contractor. (Takim, R., & Akintoye, A.
(2012), Mansfield, N. R., Ugwu, O. O. and Doran, T. (2004))
Construction delay defined as “time over run either beyond completion date specified in a
contract or beyond the date that parties agree upon for delivery of a project.” It is slipping over
its planned schedule and is considered as common problem in construction projects. Delay in
construction project completion is a global phenomenon that occurs in the construction industry
and considered as one of the most common problems causing a multitude of negative effects on
the project and its participating parties especially where the government projects are concerned
and in the construction industry of Ethiopia is no exception(Tilahun Sh. 2016)
In Ethiopia, the construction industry is the highest recipient of government budget in terms of
government development program. Consequently, public construction projects consume an
average annual rate of nearly 60% of the government’s capital budget. Construction delays are
occurring
in
every
phase
of
a
construction
project and
are
common
problems
in constructionprojects in Ethiopia. This study shows that in Ethiopia only 8.25% projects have
been finished to the original targeted completion date. The remaining 91.75% delayed 352% of
its contractual time(Worku H et al 2016)
1.3.Objectives
1.3.1. General Objectives

To assess the magnitude of building construction project delay and its associated factors
among construction projects in Ambo Town, Oromia, Ethiopia,2019
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1.3.2. Specific Objectives


To assess the magnitude of construction delay of projects at Ambo town, 2019
To identify factors associated with construction projects delay in Ambo town, 2019
1.4. Scope of the study
This research focus on the assessment delay of construction projects and associated factors in
Ambo town.Byusing a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. It was conducted in
two stages. The first stage was conducted using a quantitative method through a questionnaire
survey in a bid to generate information from a large sample population. The second stage of the
study was conducted using the qualitative method using semi-structured interviews. The reasons
for using the interview in addition to the questionnaire survey were: to triangulate data obtained
from the questionnaire survey; to enhance, expand and create depth to the results of the
questionnaire survey by investigating and elaborating on some of the issues highlighted; and to
explore the experiences of the sample population in relation to the topical issues revealed after
analysis of the data obtained from the questionnaire survey.
1.5. Limitation of research
The study will be limited in some case conflict, unexpected rain in Ambo town.
1.6. Significant of the research
The significant of this study is to understand the delays and factors of building social and
economic. Affording to save overrun cost, saving time, easy to accessibility on social life.
This research will be to provide how to minimize the delay of projects, overrun cost. Generally,
the result of this study will be provide to achieved the project by own budget and time without
overrun cost or additional time and cost.
1.7 Research Questions
While, this research will be mainly focused on responding to the following questions:
 What is the magnitude of construction project delay in Ambo town?
 What are the major causes of construction project delay?
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 How much construction projects are affected by overrun cost from delay?
 What are the impacts of delayed projects?
 What measurements the have used to prevent delay?
 What are the most critical delay factors in construction?
 What are the causes of delay before starting the projects and after starting?
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CHAPTER TWO
LITRATURE REVIEW
According to this research in Sudia Arabia American Journal of Civil Engineering and
Architecture journal indicates in Sudia Arabia found that the percentage of delayed projects in
Saudi Arabia varied from 35% to 84%. This project delay was not recorded in the traditional
projects, it is also recorded in green buildings projects. Percentage of 32.29% of the green
construction projects completed behind schedule (
In total, 78 causes of delay were identified through research. The identified causes are combined
into seven groups. The field survey included 58 contractors, 55 consultants, and 62 clients. Data
collected were analyzed by RII and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The authors
identified main causes of delay and ten most important causes, according to Table AII, from the
perspective of three major groups of participants (clients, consultants and contractors) (emeland
journal)
Chan and Kumaraswamyhas established that poor performance of projects in terms of time
overruns over the last three decades is a common place in the construction industry. For
example, as per statical data 50-80% delays in 1627 World Bank sponsored projects (19741988), together with an average of 23.2% time overruns on UK Government constitutional
projects from 1993 to 1994, further average time overruns on sample public building projects
studied during 1994 in Hong Kong, were assumed to be 9 %..Alkass et al, delays are the most
common problem and are costly also in construction projects. Its expansive for both owners and
contractors. The owner loses the potential revenues from the use of the project and by increasing
the overhead costs
along with lost opportunities for new projects because of diminished
financial capabilities. (A.W. Shaikh, M. R. Muree, and A. S. Soomro)(3)
Delays in construction projects,cost overruns, and low quality have long been common problems
in the construction and engineering sector. In particular, time and cost increases in large public
construction projects seem to be a global phenomenon, with no reduction in the last 70 years and
an average cost overrun of 28% (Flyvbjerg et al. 2002, 2003). Optimistic expectations of time
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and budget have, as a consequence, been found to decrease quality and productivity during
construction and in the final product (Park et al. 2010).
Studies the delays in building projects in Thailand evaluate the progress of reports of 164
building and 28 highway projects constructed during the period of 1996-1999 in Jordan. The
results indicate that delay is extensive: the average ratio of actual completion time to the planed
contract duration is 160.5% for road projects and 120.3% for building projects. (4)
The contribution of the Indian construction sector to the growth of the Indian economy and rapid
socioeconomic development of As evident from numerous publications on the Indian
construction sector, projects are reportedly failing across all the key performance measures
including cost, time and quality performances. Based on an investigation report by Ernst &
Young in February 2011, out of a total of 559 ongoing infrastructure projects in India, 293 were
delayed (Ernst & Young, 2011). Out of the delayed projects, 69 were a month to a year behind
schedule, while 67 projects were delayed by 13–24 months, 107 by 25–60 months and 37 by
over 60 months. With inflationary pressures in the current Indian economy, such time delays in
293 projects potentially added an incremental cost of INR682.7 billion (approx. US $105 billion)
amounting to a 22.3% effective cost escalation (Ernst & Young, 2011). In a study comparing the
performance of international development projects in India, China, Bangladesh and Thailand, it
was reported that construction projects in India showed the worst schedule performance (Ahsan
and Gunawan, 2010). The study found that in India average schedule overrun of 55% over
planned schedule is the highest compared to the other nations included in the stud the entire
country over the past few decades is highly phenomenal (Gupta et al., 2009). (5)
Kuwait is one of the Arabic gulf areas. Kuwaiti GPD is about $174.810 billion in 2014. The
construction contribution to GPD is about 7%. There are 177,696 persons working directly with
this industry in Kuwait, [1]. Kuwaiti state is one of the gulf area, which characterized by highly
economical changes and multi-cultural labor workforce. The majority of technical personnel are
coming from many countries all-over the world. Many of international consulting and
contracting firms are working in many of major Kuwaiti construction projects.
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World Bank report found that, during the implementation phase of infrastructure projects, cost
overruns occurred in 20% of cases, while time overruns were estimated at more than 110%. For
example, Jaber 254 American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture
Hospital, which is one of the largest central hospitals in Kuwait was delayed more than 90%
from its original duration, and a delay fine of 18 million KD were applied (KD = 3.35 $) and
Governmental center for applying construction tests project is delayed more than 100% from its
original duration. Minister of planning stated that 70% of governmental projects.(6)
This study has also established an allocation of responsibility for each group of factors that result
in delays in construction projects. Overall responsibility allocation shows that contractor has
40% responsibility, consultant has 21%, and owner has 9% whereas stakeholders share 30%
responsibility because of contingencies. This study helps foreign and indigenous stakeholders
monitor and control delay risk by understanding pivotal causes in context of Lahor(7)
The survey illustrated that construction projects suffered more delays in Libya than the UK. The
survey results indicated that critical delay factors are quite different in both countries. The case
study found that a building project might be delayed by 41 to 46 days in Libya, or 34 to 38 days
in the UK, when considering the most critical delay factors.(8)
A construction project is commonly admitted as successful when it completes on time, with
budget, according the specifications, and stakeholder satisfaction. However, most of the
projects did not finish as the expected timetable. Instead, they completed before or after the
schedule due to uncertainties of events and its uniqueness [1]. Construction projects experienced
70%of time overruns and 76% of contractors and 56% of consultants have indicated that they
have been facing average time overrun of 10 to 30% from the original duration that
causes 50% cost overrun [2]. Elsewhere, 50% of the construction projects in the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) encountered construction delay [3]. Therefore, delay considered as one of the
most common problems causing a multitude negative effect on projects, and its participating
parties [5]. Ethiopia one of the fastest growing, developing country; uses construction industry as
the main input for growth, employment, and infrastructure expansion. Yet, not contributed
to the development of the country as desired due to it faces various problems,
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limitations, and drawbacks. Among those, impact of delay in construction project is a
common, and a predominant. Various researchers had been studying the causes and effects of
delays in construction projects all over the world and in domestic in numerous manners
for decades. The problem studied in different countries with different scholars; due to the
reason that, it differs from one country to another; in time variation or even one project to
another. (9)
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CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODS, PROCEDURES AND MATERIALS
3.1 Study Area
This study will be conducted in Ambo town. Ambo is the oldest town found in Oromia and it is
the capital city of West Shewa zone. The town is located at a distance of 114km to west of Addis
Ababa on Nekemte-Asosoa highway. The climatic condition of the town is “woinadega” with
annual environmental temperature ranges of 14- 260c. The total population of Ambo town is
about a million.
Currently in this town different construction activities are carried out both building and road
construction.…
Fig 1. Figure of Ambo town
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3.2 Study Period
The study will be conducted for an estimated 5 months from June 1st 2019- October 30 2019
3.3 Study Design
Cross sectional study design will be implemented to obtain adequate information from
respondents using self-administered and interview with concomitant observation of sites.
Diagram showing General research procedures
Stage 1
1
2
Review of literature
Data collection and
extraction
1. Journals, books, manuals and other related
documents will be reviewed
2. Data collection will be conducted by selfadministering, interview, observation of site
3. Data extraction will be through observation of site
and
filled
documents/questionnaires,
calculation/optional
1. Using SPSS COR and AOR will be
calculated through linear regression
model
Stage 2
3. Statistical analysis of data
Stage 3
4. Validation of result
5. Interpretation of result
1
2
The developed model will be checked if its
valid
Result obtained will be interpreted and will
discussed
Fig 2: general research procedure
3.4 Software
In this study I will use Microsoft office I’e Excel to process figures and tables specifically for the
first objective. To identify determinant factors, the second specific objective, for construction
project delay SPSS will be processed to identify degree of association of those factors.
3.5 Sample size determination
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Using Montgomery and Runger 2014 formula where N is required sample size, while p is a
proportion of previous study, d is margin error with 95% of confidence interval the estimated
sample size will be;
N=Z2p(1-p) = 1.962x0.5x(1-0.5)
d2
0.052
= 385
using 50% proportion
Since study area has minimal construction projects using correction formula I minimize study
participants to 288.
3.6 Sampling Method
Simple random sampling will be conducted to elicit information for my questionnaire
3.7 Methods of data collection
The study will be conducted using a semi- structured questionnaire interview andobservation of
their plan with their current status.The questionnaires will be a self administeredtype and will be
interviwed at site.
3.8 Data analysis
The raw data will be entered, cleaned and analyzed using statistical software such as SPSS
Descriptive statistics, crude and adjusted odds ratio will be used to measure association between
variables.
3.9 Description of variables
3.9.1 Dependent Variables
-
Delay of construction project
Variables related to contractor
3.9.2 Independent variables
-
Variables related owner/consultant
-
-
Delay to deliver the site
Late in revising and approving designdocuments
Poor communication and coordination
Slowness in decision making process
Suspension of work, Inflexibility of consultant
Conflicts between consultant anddesign engineer
Inadequate experience of consultant
Financial problems, Contract modifications (replace
andadd new works to the project; change
inspecifications), Lack of working knowledge
Supervision too late and slowness inmaking
decisions, Slow to give instructions
Lack of consultant’s experience, Incomplete
documents, Lack of consultant’s site staffexperience
(managerial and supervisorypersonnel), Absence of
consultant’s site staff
-
-
-
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Difficulties in financing projectby
contractor, Conflicts in sub-contractors,
poor schedule in execution of project,
Rework due to errors duringconstruction
Conflicts b/w contractor andother parties
(consultant andowner)
Poor site management andsupervision by
contractor, Poor communication ,
Improper construction methods,
implemented by contractor, Delays in
sub-contractors work, Frequent change
of subcontractorsbecause of their
inefficient work, Poor qualification of
thecontractors technical staff
Inadequate Planning &Scheduling
Staffing Problems, Lack of coordination
On-site, Scheduling Mismanagement,
Inadequate Review
Lack of High-Technology, Poor
Managerial Skills,Inspections
- Material/Fabrication Delays, Material
Procurement
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Other environmental/natural factors such as conflict etc
3.10 Data quality assurance
To maximize reliability and validity of the variables in the study, special attention will be given
to the construction of the questionnaire that is the wording of the questions and flow of
alternatives and related issues will be carefully examined during the designing of the
questionnaire. Appropriate design and sampling procedures will also considered carefully to
maintain the quality of the study. Two data collectors will be also involved after one day training
on how to collect and maintain completeness and validity of the data. If the respondents will
absent the repeated visit will be made.
3.10 Ethical consideration
Letter of permission will be obtained fromEthical Review committee of Ambo University
Institute of Technology to each organization who are on construction. Similarly; the respondents
will informed about purpose of the study, all information gained during data collection will be
kept confidential; to keep privacy of the respondents there is no any personal identification
which is on the questionnaire and interviewees rather than coded.
Informed consent will be gained from each respondent and they will informed that the right to
give up the interview at any time they wishes.
3.10 Expected outcome
Up on coplition of this study the following outcomes will be expected
 The study will identify the degree of construction projects delay in Ambo town
 The most common problems associated with construction projects delay in Ambo town
will be identified
 Finally, the study findings will be dissiminated to concerned bodies; I’e ORC, WSRCA,
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WORK PLAN
1
Developing proposal
2
Proposal defense
3
Training for data collectors
4
Data collection
5
Data entry
6
Data analysis
7
Writing up
8
Final defense and submission
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Dec.
Nov
Oct.
August
July.
June.
May.
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
S/No.
Activities
Septem.
Table 4.1 work plan
BUDGET BREAK DOWN
Human Power
Persons involved
Trainer
Data collectors
Data collectors
Total
No
1
2
2
Perdaim
179
150
20 birr/sample
No of days
1 (training)
1 (training)
288x20
Total cost
179
300
5760
6239
For stationarie
S/N Item
Unit
Amount
1
2
3
4
5
4
5
Pen
Pencil
Stepler
Sharper
Flash driver
Notebook
Photo copy
Total
Number
Number
Number
Number
Number
Number
Number
5
5
1
2
1
3
288 x4
Category
Human power
Stationarie
Total cost
6239
1487
Price per
unit
10
5
40
5
150
20
1birr
Total
50.00
25.00
40.00
10.00
150.0
60.00
1152.00
1487.00
Summary
s/no
1
2
7726.00
Total
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Reference
1. ArshiShakeelFaridi&SamehMonir El‐Sayegh (2006) Significant factors causing delay in the
UAE construction industry, Construction Management and Economics, 24:11,1167-1176, DOI:
10.1080/01446190600827033
2. Ehab SOLIMAN, “Recommendations to Mitigate Delay Causes in Kuwait Construction
Projects.” American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, vol. 5, no. 6 (2017): 253262. doi: 10.12691/ajcea-5-6-5.
3. A.W. Shaikh, M. R. Muree, and A. S. Soomro
4. Abdela M. Odhea*, Hussien T. Battahinebcauses of construction delay: traditional contracts
Jordan university of science and technology international journal of construction project
management 20(2002)67-73
5. HemantaDoloi, Anil Sawhney& K.C. Iyer (2012) Structural equation model for investigating
factors affecting delay in Indian construction projects, Construction Management and Economic,
30:10, 869-884, DOI: 10.1080/01446193.2012.717705
6. Ehab SOLIMAN* American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 2017, Vol. 5, No. 6,
253262Available
online
at
http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajcea/5/6/5©Science
and
Education
Publishing
7.
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