A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF PROJECT SCHEDULING DELAYS: CAUSES, EFFECTS AND ADVANCED SOLUTIONS

Abstract

Effective project scheduling is usually hampered by a range of management and economic factors. This study makes a critical analysis of causes and effects of project scheduling delays (PSD), and presents advanced techniques or means of preventing delays. Relying on secondary data, the study evidently identifies causes and effects of PSD, and presents advanced solutions that can prevent delays and settle issues of PSD. The major causes identified include little or no integration of advanced technologies, resource and manpower shortage, leadership lapses, attitudinal issues, and climate conditions. The effects found include increased direct and indirect costs, financial and material losses, wastages, contractual conflicts and litigations. The advanced solutions are technology-based and pragmatic conventional techniques. The findings have the potential of impacting scheduling, project management, and organizational management. The potential impact includes increased effectiveness of project scheduling, the making of result-oriented policies, and the adoption of comprehensive frameworks that proffer lasting solutions to the problems of delays besides preventing delays. The study concludes that project scheduling delays, which exert adverse effects on project lifespan, execution and quality, can be tackled significantly by deploying advanced techniques to address the causes of delays. The concerned stakeholders are charged to be up and doing in planning, scheduling and managing projects, always taking cognizance of delays and thereby applying viable advanced techniques capable of effectively preventing the occurrence of delays.