Factors Affecting the Performance of The Completed Construction Projects in the Sudan

Abstract

Construction industry has complexity in its nature because it contains large number of parties as clients, contractors, consultants, stakeholders, shareholders, regulators and others. Construction projects in the Sudan suffer from many problems and complex issues in performance such as cost, time and safety. The aim of this thesis is to identify and evaluate the main factors affecting the performance of construction projects in the Sudan.

Literature review about performance was reviewed to identify the factors affecting the performance of construction projects. In addition, other local factors have been added as recommended by local experts. Pilot study of the questionnaire was achieved by a scouting sample, which consisted of 30 questionnaires. A questionnaire survey was conducted and 63 factors were identified, categorized into 10 groups, evaluated and ranked from owners, consultants and constructors perspectives. 120 questionnaires were distributed as follows: 25 to owners, 35 to consultants and 60 to contractors. The most important factors agreed by the owners, consultants and contractors were: average delay because of closures and materials shortage; availability of resources as planned through project duration; leadership skills for project manager; escalation of material prices; availability of personals with high experience and qualification; and quality of equipments and raw materials in project.

The degree of agreement between parties regarding the ranking of factors was determined according to Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance. For Cost, Time, Quality, Productivity, Client Satisfaction, People, Innovation and learning factors, and all groups together, there is a significant degree of agreement among the owners, consultants and contractors. On the other hand, for Regular and community agreement among the owners, consultants and contractors

The practices concerning with the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as time, cost, project owner satisfaction and safety checklists were analyzed in order to know the main practical problems of projects performance in the Sudan and then to formulate recommendations to improve performance of construction projects in the Sudan. It was concluded that projects were delayed and the actual cost of projects was more than the estimated cost because of Sudan economic conditions. Overall project safety factors had been moderately implemented in construction organizations.