Working Behind Schedule: 6 Factors Affecting Your Construction Project's Timeliness

Numerous factors can disrupt the timeline of a construction project, leading to frustrating delays and setbacks. Thus, it is of the highest priority for project managers to anticipate these issues and set proactive strategies to reduce their impact on the overall time frame.

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1. Poorly Defined Scope of Work

In the construction industry, the scope of work determines which activities need to be completed to finish the project and who is responsible for completing these tasks. One of the most important first steps in preventing delays in building projects is to use this method, which involves specifying project works before assigning jobs. Nevertheless, a simple checklist for a building job will allow you to handle the situation. Moreover, alterations are reportedly unavoidable, and projects could become more complicated than initially anticipated.

2. Project Complexity and Uniqueness

The complexity of the job, which is often associated with the size of the project, is another significant factor contributing to construction delays. Implementing most large-scale construction projects usually takes a rather extended amount of time. As an illustration, there are skyscrapers, dams, highways, nuclear power stations, stadiums, and other structures.

However, they may take longer than expected because of prolonged talks, increasing prices, complicated plans, timelines, and predictions, and inadequately understood novel technology components. Each of these factors has the potential to cause necessary delays.

3. Uneducated and Biased Estimations

Inadequate or inaccurate estimations are yet another challenge that teams confront. Before beginning a project, you want to believe that the team will perform to the highest potential standard. However, you should be aware that life does not typically unfold in such a manner, and it is essential to always leave some wiggle room in the plan.

When making your estimations, it is essential to consider the project's intricacy, assess the workload from other projects, and give additional wiggle room for unforeseen circumstances. This will eliminate as much of the element of guesswork as possible while allowing some time to account for unexpected obstacles.

Also Read: Safety Tips in Operating Heavy Equipment: 8 Tips Every Worker Must Know 

4. Resource Overutilization

Although it may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about what should be done, it could be more accurate to say that you should maximize your resources regarding the workload. Instead of excessively employing your resources, strive to do so in the most efficient fashion possible while allowing them to pause and reflect on their work. Accordingly, if you are familiar with your team and the talents they possess, you will be able to deliver more quickly and with a greater degree of assurance that you will stay on time.

5. Unrealistic Deliverables and Deadlines

Even if every team member puts in extra effort, it is not possible to finish a project on time if the deadline is not feasible. Additionally, while it may be alluring to establish ambitious deliverables, the most effective approach to impressing clients is to underpromise and overdeliver. Therefore, establish objectives that are practical, achievable, and quantifiable.

6. Improper Progress Tracking and Follow-up

Continuous data collection on task progress is critical to the success of a project. A delay in the project could reportedly occur if it is not done. On the other hand, in addition to establishing objectives, you should monitor any tasks' progress to determine whether there is any delay. This allows you to decide whether or not the team is on the right path to accomplishing the goal.

Furthermore, one may employ task management instruments to assess the advancement of individual tasks. When one becomes aware of a delay in any activity, one has the option of delegating the assignment to another individual. 

Related Article: 6 Helpful Strategies to Avoid Construction Delays