Understanding construction projects schedule overruns in South Africa

Abstract: Construction schedule overruns are not uncommon on construction projects world over and the South African construction industry has not escaped the challenges of failing to deliver projects on time. In order to find mitigation measures of schedule overruns, the first step is to identify the causes of these overruns. Therefore, this paper assesses the causes of construction projects schedule overruns in the South African construction industry, a case of the Gauteng Province. The data used in this paper were derived from both primary and secondary sources. The secondary data was collected via a detailed review of related literature. The primary data was collected through a well-structured questionnaire which was distributed to construction professionals, who include: Architects, quantity surveyors, civil engineers, construction mangers and project managers. Out of the 200 questionnaires sent out, 146 were received back representing a 73% response rate. Data received from the questionnaires was analysed using descriptive statistics procedures. Findings from the study revealed that slowness in decision making process, reworks due to errors during construction, delay in approving major changes in the scope of work, delay in material delivery, shortage of skilled equipment operators, low productivity level of workers, delay in obtaining permits from municipalities and workers risky behaviour on sites were the major causes of construction projects schedule overruns in Gauteng, South Africa. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on the subject of the causes of construction project schedule overruns in Gauteng, South Africa