Factors influencing completion of construction projects; a case of construction projects in Nairobi Kenya

Abstract

This research study sought to identify factors influencing completion of construction projects. The research objectives were; to determine how contract duration influences completion of construction projects, to investigate whether project financing influences completion of construction projects in Nairobi, to examine how planning influences completion of small construction projects in Nairobi, to find out how supervision/inspection of work influences completion of construction projects in Nairobi, to assess how the type of project delivery chosen influences completion of construction projects in Nairobi. The research questions were; how does the construction contract duration influence completion of construction projects in Nairobi? How does project financing influence completion of construction projects in Nairobi? How does planning influence completion of construction projects in Nairobi? How does supervision/inspection of work influence completion of construction projects in Nairobi? How does the type of project delivery method chosen influence completion of construction projects in Nairobi? The research design was a descriptive and explorative or correlative. This is because it sought to discover the relationship between aspects of a problem. A survey questionnaire was applied in the study. The sample population includes architects, quantity surveyors, structural engineers, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, land surveyors construction project managers and private developers. The sample size is 77 respondents, and the non-probability sampling technique used in the study is purposive/judgmental and snow-balling. The questionnaire was the data collection instrument used in the study. The validity test methods employed were expert review, face, content, sampling and construct validity tests while the tools used to verify the reliability of the tool is cronbach’s alpha. Data analysis techniques used were descriptive statistics, inferential statistics used is Karl Pearson’s as well as Spearman’s correlation factors while regression analysis was applied to identify a mathematical relationship between variables. A likert scale was also used. The findings showed that project cost increased with an average of 13.5% while project duration increased by 33.6%. 98% of respondents believe project financing and inspection/supervision influence completion of construction projects. 73% and 71% respectively gave the information that construction contract duration and project delivery type chosen respectively influence completion of construction projects. 100% of the respondents believe project planning at all stages influences completion of construction projects. The majority respondents said EPC/Turnkey projects are the most successful in ensuring project completion though the type of project delivery chosen may vary for various reasons. The recommendations include project managers need to engage project stakeholders all through project lifetime. Competent project managers should be involved in projects while clients should provide adequate project financing. Contractors should not have cash flow problems and project teams should be trained on project success factors. A quality culture in construction industry should be encouraged. Every stakeholder in construction projects implementation should be sensitized on the reality that projects will most likely suffer delay in contract duration and definitely increase in project costs. Efforts should be collectively made to manage this in a way that clients don’t suffer consequences of projects not being completed in time, budget and to meet the design scope and quality