Significant factors causing delay in the UAE construction industry

TLDR

Construction delay is a pervasive problem that harms project time, cost, quality, safety and the UAE economy, where construction contributes 14 % of GDP. The study aims to identify the most significant causes of delay so they can be avoided or minimized. A detailed questionnaire was distributed to UAE construction professionals, and contractors’ and consultants’ responses were analyzed using a Relative Importance Index to rank delay causes. The analysis revealed that 50 % of UAE projects are delayed, the top ten causes were identified, and the leading factors were approval of drawings, inadequate early planning, and owners’ slow decision‑making.

Abstract

Construction delay is considered one of the most recurring problems in the construction industry. Delays have an adverse impact on project success in terms of time, cost, quality and safety. The effects of construction delays are not confined to the construction industry only, but influence the overall economy of a country like UAE, where construction plays a major role in its development and contributes 14% to the GDP. Thus, it is essential to define the most significant causes of delay in order to avoid or minimise their impact on construction projects. A detailed questionnaire was developed and used to get input from professionals associated with the UAE construction industry. The perspective of contractors and consultants has been analysed to rank the causes of delays based on their Relative Importance Index. Contractors and consultants were in agreement on the most significant causes of delays. The research revealed that 50% of the construction projects in UAE encounter delays and are not completed on time. The top 10 most significant causes of construction delays have been identified by this research. Approval of drawings, inadequate early planning and slowness of the owners' decision‐making process are the top causes of delay in the UAE construction industry.