Performance of construction projects in tanzania - factors contribution level

The identification of factors causing the poor performance in construction projects is crucial in order to improve the construction project performance. Many construction projects experienced poor performance especially extensive delays and therefore exceeded the contract duration and cost. Factors addressing project characteristics, project team players role, project resources, project procurement and external environment are identified as chief causes of overall project delay. These identified factors are used to formulate strategies as preventions to the project team players from repeating the same mistakes made by the previous delayed project. Sub-factors that contribute to the poor performance of construction projects for each main factor were identified so as to determine the severity of each factor. Sub factors causative indicators and strategies to overcome them were analyzed so as to propose improvement on minimizing poor performance of construction project. Structured questionnaires were used as a main tool to collect data so as to identify the severity of these factors. Forty six (46) causes factors were identified and these factors were grouped into eight (8) main categories that is project characteristics, clients related factors, contractor related factors, labour and material related factors, consultant related factors, contractual related factors, project procurement related factors and external environment related factors. From the analysis the highest ranked contributing factor was the project team leader working relationship with others. The study also gives recommendations that can be used by the project participants to reduce the poor performance of the construction projects in the local construction industry in Tanzania.