Background
Saudi Arabia has been in the spotlight for frequent delays in building works. This is further enhanced in the public domain particularly in government-sanction construction projects. There are various reasons why government construction work takes longer than initially anticipated. Alsuliman (2019) explains that one such reason is the lack of proper planning between the owner, consultants, and contractors. Each party’s roles must be clearly defined at the inception of the project to help avoid such delays. Additionally, Mahamid, Bruland, and Dmaidi (2012) confirm that lack of clarity among the consultants and the contractors can also lead to delay in projects. To solve this, it is vital that all the people involved in the project fully understand the end product that is expected by the owner of the construction (in this case, it would be the government). Thirdly, the tendering process has also been blamed for the delays as it allows for less competent people to be awarded the tenders. This section of the study focuses on the research methodology that will be used to realize the set research objectives. The segment will elaborate on the best method for the study, present a tentative work schedule, explain anticipated outcomes and also elaborate on the significance of the research.
Objectives of the Research
- To identify the primary causes for duration overruns in government-sanctioned construction of new academic campuses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
- To determine the significance of project overruns and relate the causes realised to the project owner, consultant, and contractor.
Research Method
The first step will be to adopt a quantitative research methodology. One of the reasons why this approach is best suited for the study is that it allows for random sampling. In turn, this removes any form of personal bias from the study. It is important to note that reliable research methodologies remove any form of bias in order to present viable and verifiable data. Secondly, the researcher selected this methodology as it efficiently summarizes complex data. Whereas the researcher anticipates the data that will be collected to be relatively simple, the quantitative approach will ensure that the data is summarised in simple demonstrations such as graphs and charts for more straightforward explanations and understanding. Since the project targets construction works, the sample size is relatively large due to the numerous construction projects the country is conducting. The second step will be the identification of the study participants through random sampling. Critically, 120 participants are expected to partake in primary data collection. The research sample population will be obtained from the construction sector through the guidance of the relevant government department in charge of the continuous development of university campuses in the country. The project will test three variables that will be based on the research objectives.
Work Schedule
The work schedule will be divided into 13 weeks. The first week will be dedicated to desktop research to understand the topic thoroughly. The researcher will also collect various peer-reviewed articles that have been done on the topic. These studies will give more in-depth insights into what other people have done concerning enhancing the study at hand. Week two will be dedicated to the development of the appropriate research tool for the collection of the primary data. The tool will then be tested for viability and reliability in the third week. Week four through to week seven will involve the collection of primary data from the identified sample. An additional one week (week eight) will be dedicated to properly documenting all the primary data collected. It is important to note that the information will be collected digitally, but it will have to be sorted to remove any incomplete data. The researcher will compile both secondary and primary data in the ninth week. Week ten through to week twelve will be dedicated to analysing the data and writing the report. The last week (week thirteen) will be for proofing the report and submitting the work.
Anticipated Outcomes
It is anticipated that a majority of the primary causes of duration overruns will be tied to the consultant and contractors. On the same note, it is also expected that the low-bidding approach will be identified as the leading cause of overruns in construction projects. As previously stated, the tendering process allows for substandard contractors to be awarded the jobs as they give low quotations. Thirdly, it is also expected that the contractor and consultant viewpoints will be similar yet significantly different from the owner’s viewpoint.
Significance
The study is significant due to the extensive construction works that are currently being done in KSA. Additionally, the need for more university campuses makes the study more relevant. Indeed, understanding the different reasons construction projects delay will help all parties involved (owner, consultant, and contractor) to be better prepared in the future, thereby avoiding duration overruns. The findings that will be realised can, therefore, be used by the government, consultants, and contractors in the future.
Reference List
Alsuliman, A. Jawad. 2019. “Causes of Delay in Saudi Public Construction Projects.”Alexandria Engineering Journal 58 (2): 801-808.
Mahamid, Ibrahim, Amund Bruland, and Nabil Dmaidi. 2012. “Causes of Delay in Road Construction Projects.” Journal of Management in Engineering 28 (3): 300-310.