Critical Factors on Performance of Building Construction Projects: A Case of Kitengela-Kajiado County, Kenya

Abstract

Construction industry is one of the most important sectors that stimulate economic growth in any country. An increasing trade activity in Kenya has created a great demand for more and better infrastructure such as road networks, communication, buildings and utilities such as power, water and sewer systems. From an economic point of view, construction industry has become one of the most vibrant economic sector in Kenya today and has attracted a large number of investors. Delays in completion of building construction projects are a problem that has been observed globally. Due to inherent challenges of production in this industry, it has been noted that, tasks that were intended to be done procedurally are sometimes adjusted by some individuals haphazardly without considering other stakeholders’ views and opinion. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of critical factors on successful delivery of building construction project in Kitengela, Kajiado County in Kenya. To achieve the objectives of the study, a descriptive survey design was used. The target population consisted of 20 clients, 53consultants and contractors randomly drawn from the construction projects that met the study’s inclusion criteria. The study used primary data, which were collected using a semistructured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, the relative index of importance and multiple linear regression. The study results revealed that consultant related factors ranked as the most significant factor that affects successful completion of building construction projects. The results of the study showed that there was a significant relationship between experience of the project manager and the performance of the project, which implied that project performance was dependent on experience of the manager. The study also found that a statistically significant relationship between government regulations and performance of building projects existed. This means that for successful completion of building projects, government regulations play a key role.This study also established that the reduction of frequent alteration of designs by client, better financial capabilities of client and minimizing delays in arriving to a conclusive decision by a client are critical attributes that led to successful completion of projects.The study therefore recommends that project designs should be developed by competent consultants and be discussed by all stakeholders before final draft is completed and implemented, this will reduce the number of change orders during construction phase that normally results to high cost overruns. Further, prediction by regression indicated that when contractors’ related factors are increased it leads to an increase or improvement on project success. In addition, the adjusted R-squared showed that the independent variables explained a large percentage of the variation in project success. The study further established that government regulations and project manager experience had the most statistically significant influence on the project as a unit change in these factors would lead to a sizable change in project performance. The researcher proposed a few areas for further studies, these are; to perform a study on factors leading to effective team work management in building construction industry to underscore the need for collaboration and cohesiveness in construction projects and; to expand the scope of this study to include other variables that are not in this study such as the effects of prudent management of building materials, and the logistical challenges of delivering imported materials to site on schedule.