| Abstract: | Construction industry is one of the significant contributors to the economic growth and development of Ethiopia. However problem of delays in the construction sector is a global phenomenon and the construction sector in Ethiopia is no exception. Therefore, the aim of this study is to fill an important knowledge gap by identifying the various attributes for construction project delay and its effect. A questionnaire survey was used for data collection and one-hundred and thirty two (132) questionnaires were completed and analyzed. Using a simple ordinal scale, based on a 5-point Likert Scale, professionals, contractors and consultants expressed their views on the relative importance of thirty-six (36) pre-selected factors on construction project delays and six (6) effects of delay. Feedback from a survey administered to the clients, contractors and consultants was analyzed using Relative Importance Index (RII). Results showed that inadequate experience and skills of contractors, inappropriate construction method by contractors, insufficient funding by clients, poor site management by contractors and impractical allocation of resources are ranked by the clients, contractors and consultants as the main causes of project delays at Addis Ababa housing development project office. While, cost overrun, poor quality of completed work and time overrun are the top effects of project delay. Association result shows that client and contractors are significant causes for time & cost overrun while contractors are the only common cause for poor quality completed work. Construction frontline players are recommended to put their efforts on the identified key factors in relation to their magnitudes of influence. By doing so, the causes of project delays in Ethiopia construction and real estate sector could be significantly reduced or controlled, which will ultimately lead to the on time and within budget completion of projects. |
