Integrated approach to overcome shortcomings in current delay analysis practices

Many factors, such as unforeseeable events, managerial and financial problems of contractors, insufficient technical capacity of site teams of contractors or Consultants, and so on, may lead to delays in construction projects. Proper analysis of compensability and quantum of a delay event is of prime importance. Any delay analysis application can be considered as a result of the combination of contract documents, scheduler, record-keeping mechanism at the site, communication among project participants, delay analyst, and delay analysis methodology. The main purposes of this study are to identify the shortcomings frequently encountered in the implementation of delay analysis applications in all stages of a construction project, to address the responsible element, and to propose a set of rules to overcome these shortcomings and obtain accurate and reliable results. For this purpose, 17 shortcomings were identified. Moreover, an integrated approach is developed which is composed of a set of rules solving all of the identified shortcomings, and a flowchart guiding the parties from scratch until the end of the project. This study is unique in its nature as it encompasses all stages of a construction project that contribute to a delay analysis application.