Factors that influence success in large construction projects: the case of Kenya Urban Roads Authority projects

Abstract

Project management as a management discipline is relatively new, and more so complex and dynamic. The knowledge gap that exists within the profession has been the greatest undoing in managing projects. However, it is premised that the clear understanding of such critical missing information, will enable successful management of projects., Generally, past industry experiences show that, medium to large size projects have high failure rate. The consequences can be costly and lengthy, with the worst outcomes often leading to undesirable litigation engagements. Developing Countries have higher rate of low project performance than developed countries.

The broad task of this study was to identify and analyze the key factors that influence success in large construction projects with reference to Kenya Urban Roads Authority projects. This research adopted a descriptive survey. The target projects in this study consisted of all KURA construction projects with total budget greater than One million US dollars ($ 1 Million), which were assumed to be large projects in this research, undertaken from the year 2008 to 2012. The target population of the study was 125 senior managers of the construction companies, client representatives and the consultants. Purposive sampling was used to select 94 respondents. This study was carried out using structured questionnaire.

The researcher analyzed the quantitative data using descriptive statistics by applying the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS V.19.0). In addition, Spearman's rank correlation was used to calculate the average ranking of the factors. For a project to be successful there must be an improved appreciation of the role of project management within projects. Quality can be assured by identifying and eliminating the factors that cause poor project performance. Thus, project managers. need better understanding of critical success/failure factors and how to measure them.

The analysis of the information gathered from the questionnaire survey was discussed in chapter four and includes the identification of the critical success factors based on the factors checklist. The analysis and discussion about the questionnaire survey is organized in. seven factors' categories. The critical success factors are presented in Tables 4.6 - 4.13. Each Table organizes each category of factors (Business related, Project procedures factors, Project Management Factors, Client-Related-related Factors, Design Team-related Factors, Contractor-related factors and Project Manager-related factors).