CAUSES OF TIME OVERRUN IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Time overrun is a situation in which construction project exceeds the specified completion date or the period agreed upon by the parties for handover. The concept is also known as overtime and has become a major problem for most construction projects worldwide due to significant waste and missed opportunities for several relevant stakeholders. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the causes of time overrun and mitigate time overrun in road construction projects. The method used includes interviews and questionnaires, which were subjected to focus group discussions (FGDs) with several experts before distribution to competent parties in construction sector. The data collected were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis to ensure accuracy and for optimization. A total of 132 questionnaires were answered correctly and returned. The results identified 7 factors affecting time overrun, which included (1) politics and government, (2) finance and planning, (3) management, (4) resources, (5) delays and errors, (6) projects, and (7) others. A total of 17 causes were also observed including political situations, political interference, economic determinants, land disputes, and late payments for additional work by the owner, followed by 12 other causes. Moreover, mitigation efforts were recommended to prevent and reduce the causes of project time overrun.