Impact of Construction Scheduling Practice on Delay Claim Analysis

Abstract

The effectiveness of delay analysis techniques in giving accurate and timely analysis results is determined by scheduling practice performance and the availability of as-built records. To enhance the effectiveness of delay claim analysis, it is imperative to delve into these dimensions. With this perspective, in this study we evaluated the impact of construction scheduling practice and as-built records on delay claim analysis and developed an improvement framework in the context of the Ethiopian construction industry. A questionnaire survey was developed and distributed to construction professionals working in the industry. A factor analysis was performed to identify relevant components of scheduling practice, and multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess the impact of these components and documentation of as-built records on delay claim analysis performance. The findings indicated that the scheduling practice components that impact delay claim analysis are schedule reliability, accuracy in updating schedules, timely communication, documentation of previous schedules and schedule basis, and schedule conciseness. The results of the multiple regression analysis indicated that documentation of as-built records had a greater impact on delay claim analysis performance than the other components of scheduling practice. Considering these findings, we proposed a framework to improve delay claim analysis by improving scheduling practice and the documentation of as-built records. Delay claim analysis is one of the major activities of contract administration practice. Failing to resolve delay claims appropriately results in expensive disputes with a lengthy claims process that may include litigation. It may affect the relationships among the parties involved and may harm their reputations in the process. The effectiveness of delay analysis techniques in giving accurate and timely analysis results is determined by scheduling practice performance and the availability of as-built records. Although scheduling is a major responsibility of the contractor, engagement of other contracting parties is important in enhancing scheduling and as-built recordkeeping practices. The involvement of stakeholders during the development and updating of the schedule helps promote a mutual understanding of schedule data and the construction methodology; hence, delay claim analysts can quickly understand and review claims. The findings show the expected role of stakeholders in improving practice and the effects of scheduling practices and as-built records on delay claim analysis.