A Review Study on Time Delay Factors in Construction Sector

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 13 Issue: 04 | Apr 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

A Review Study on Time Delay Factors in Construction Sectors

Karthikeyan Vadivel1 , Aathi Sivanathan K1, Mohammed Rifan A1 , Sajith Aqthar N1

Karthikeyan Vadivel 1 , UnderGraduate Student , Bachelor of Architecture

Professor: Ar. Shivachandran 2 , Dr. Alan Sekaran 2

Faculty Of Architecture, Design And Planning, Karpagam Academy Of Higher Education , Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu , India ***

Abstract - InIndia, theconstruction industryisamongthe largest contributors to national economic growth but ranks second only to agriculture in terms of employment and contributiontoGDP.Thescaleandimportanceofthisindustry haveresultedincontinuedtimedelaysonprojects, regardless of size or complexity. Time delays related to construction projects are not simply isolated incidents but reflect systemic underlying issues: inadequate planning , poor resource management , design inefficiencies , financial challenges; insufficient labour and adverse site conditions. Thispaperprovidesasystematicreviewofexistingliterature related to time delays in construction projects and identifies delays that occur during various stages of the construction process. The review examines time delays from the beginning of the construction process (conceptual and design phase) through project execution and completion.

Key Words: Construction Delays, Time Overruns, Construction Industry and Project Management, Time Delay Factors .

INTRODUCTION

Overthelast30years,theIndianconstructionindustryhas greatlychangedandisnowoneofthelargestcontributorsto India's economy. The construction industry ranks second onlytoagricultureineconomicactivity,andhascontributed anaverageof6%to9%ofIndia'sGDPinthelast5years. Accordingto(HemantaDoloietal.,2011)theconstruction industryhasgrownataconsistentratebetween8%to10% eachyear,whichhasresultedinmillionsofworkersbeing employeddirectlyorindirectlybytheconstructionindustry. Furthermore,theconstructionindustry'simportancegoes beyondprovidingjobs,asitisalsokeytobothurbangrowth & rural infrastructure. Other large government initiatives (such as the Smart Cities Mission, PMAY and the National InfrastructurePipeline)arefurtherincreasingtheamountof constructionactivity,whichputsadditionalpressureonthe industrytodeliverallprojectsontimeandwithinbudget. WhiletheIndianconstructionindustrycontinuestogrow,it alsofacesasubstantialchallengeintermsoftimedelays.The impact of delaying a project goes far beyond just being a logistical problem; there are economic, social and contractual implications of delaying an already scheduled project.Inthecaseofdelayingthedeliveryofaprojectthis increasescosts,createscontractdisputes,leadstothelossof

confidenceintheclient,aswellashavingadetrimentaleffect on the community where the infrastructure is located. Research shows that most of the construction projects in Indiacannotcompletetheiroriginallyplannedschedulesand experiencedelaysofweekstoyearsbasedonhowcomplex they are, and how large they are constructed. Delays on constructiontimelinesarea resultofavarietyofdifferent sources that affect each other in many ways. A poor feasibility study or an incomplete drawing during the conceptual and design phases of the project can create problemsonthebasisofschedulingthatwillhavearipple effectthroughoutthelifeoftheproject.Whentheprojectis executed, other issues arise, such as material shortages, equipmentbreakdowns,inefficientsubcontractors,poorsite coordination,andalackofcommunicationbetweenallthe partiesinvolved,thatcanmakeitmoredifficulttoadhereto theschedule.Financialconstraintsonconstruction,suchas delayed client payments and insufficient funding for the project,canlimitthepaceofworkandcauseconstructionto stop altogether. Other external factors, such as weather, obtaining regulatory approvals, and disputes over land acquisitioncanalsodelaythescheduleoftheproject.

The construction industry has been looking at ways to improvethesecontinuingproblemsbyusingmoreefficient project management toolsand newer digital technologies. The use of software applications like Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project allows for better and more precise schedulingoftasks,allocatingresourcescorrectly,andalso trackingprogressinrelationtoworkcompleted.Theused methodofstatisticalanalysisfordeterminingdelayfactors from survey data is called the Relative Importance Index (RII) and is now being used in many daily applications. Anothertoolthathasallowedformoredetailedorcomplex quantitativeanalysesofprojectschedulingisSPSS.Withthe emergence of Building Information Modeling (BIM), a collaborative, data-rich method has permitted significant reductioninerrorsandwastethroughmoreaccuratedesign andcoordinationofboththedesignandconstructionphases of a project. As emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence(AI)andMachineLearning(ML)comeintoplay, projectmanagerswillgainaccesstopredictivecapabilities that will allow them to foresee delays and react appropriatelybeforethedelayactuallyhappens.

The objective of this paper is to carry out an extensive evaluationofcurrentliteratureavailableregardingdelaysin construction projects within India, determine the major

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 13 Issue: 04 | Apr 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

causesofdelaysthataremostoftenseenandalsoconsider theeffectivenessofmodernprojectmanagementtechniques atreducingdelay.Thisreviewwillcombinedatacollected through various studies, and compare those results in a structuredmanner,tryingtoprovidevaluableinformation for researchers,practitioners,andpolicy-makers involved withproducingandcompletingtimelyconstructioninIndia.

LITERATURE STUDY

Theliteraturereviewdrawsonalargenumberofpublished studies,casestudies,andquestionnaireresearchconducted within India and other developing countries in order to identify repeated causes of time delays and their relative ranking.InadditiontousingtheRelativeImportanceIndex (RII) and SPSS statistical software, the authors have also considered a variety of delay analysis techniques - An analysisoftheresultsfromseveralstudiesispresentedso that common themes, research methodologies and differences between regions in relation to delays in construction projects can be identified within the Indian context. In addition to the above highlighted points, this publicationalsoplacessignificantimportanceontheroleof new project management tools and technologies for reducingdelayinconstructionprojects;thisisdonethrough anevaluationofthepracticalityofsoftwareapplicationslike Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project, as well as advanced technologiessuchasBuildingInformationModeling(BIM), Procore, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning, in improvingtheabilityofconstructionprojectstomeettheir scheduledtimeframes. Ultimately, the integration of these new tools into construction workflows will play an important role in reducing the time lost due to schedule overruns and therefore,improvingbothcoordinationamongstakeholders involved in construction projects and the overall performanceofprojectdeliverysystemswithintheIndian constructionindustry.

1. Sharmila et al. (2024)

According to the authors of this study, the most significant causes of time delays in construction projects include poor planning, poor coordination between stakeholders, and delays in obtaining materials, as shown by pre-existing questionnaire surveys and statistical analyses. They highlight the necessity of systematically applying all the above factors to the beginning of the construction phase in ordertomanageconstructionprojectseffectivelyand deliver them on time.

2. Kowsalya and Abdu Rahoof (2023)

In this research, the authors evaluated the causes of construction project delays in India using mixed methods, including interview, questionnaires, and casestudies.Theyconcludedthatthemajorcausesof delays were poor site management, lack of available

labour, and poor communication. They suggested using Building Information Modeling (BIM) with the construction management software to assist with project planning and coordination as well as to enable real-time monitoring of project progress.

3. Aravindhan et al. (2023)

Paper that looks at delay analysis using using both PrimaveraP6aswellasSPSSsoftware.Inadditionto exploring delay analysis, this research used the RII (Relative Importance Index) to determine a ranked orderofthecontributingriskfactorsassociatedwith schedule delays. The authors’ research findings indicate that some of the major contributing risk factors associated with schedule delays are: 1. Poor resource planning. 2. Delayed approvals. 3. Inadequate scheduling. Another portion of the research established that time (savings) = cash (savings) and illustrated how Primavera P6 solves common scheduling problems found in most construction projects.

4. Amin Sherif et al. (2023)

The study summarizes three basic stages of construction delays: mobilization, construction, and closeout. There are several methods for analyzing delays.ThisstudyexaminedthemandfoundthatTIA is the best method for analyzing the impact of delays on future projects because it is a forward-looking analysisthatallowsconstructionprojectmanagersto predict and avoid delay impacts depending on when theyoccurandatwhichphaseofaprojecttheyoccur.

5. Zayyanu Mohammed and Umar Bello (2022)

Asia and Africa were identified as the most prolific contributors to literature about construction delay. Australia and North America have not produced nearly as much literature on this area. There are many gaps in the literature that need to be researched, and the authors of this article recommend that researchers improve their methods so that they will be able to completely address the reasonsfordelaysinconstructionprojectsinalltypes of construction environments.

6. Honnappa and Padala (2022)

This study shows that the number of design changes made during the design process can have an exponentialeffectonbothtimeandcost.Theauthors also suggested that BIM should be implemented as a proactive method of tracking design changes, minimizing rework, and enhancing compliance with the project's schedule during the entire life cycle of the project.

7. Dixit and Kudari (2021)

The research delineated delay-causing factors into seven classifications and assessed these categories

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relative to each other with respect to degree of severity of impact. The authors recommended improved project/technical management practices, as well as modern technology integration, stating that in their opinion, traditional management practices are inadequate for addressing complexity associated with delay issues within today's construction projects.

8. Paray and Kumar (2021)

After conducting the research, there were five key elements identified as the biggest influence on performance and timely delivery of a project. The results showed that early identification and prioritization of delays allowed for better allocation of resources and interventions by Project Managers.

9. Majnoor and Joy (2020)

Theauthorsnotedthateffectiveplanningcanreduce thecostoflabour, avoid disputesovercontracts, and facilitateacontinuousflowofwork.Theauthorsalso emphasized the need for technological upgrades alongwithbettermanagementofhumanresourcesin the working environment because of the growing competitiveness of the construction industry.

10. Jayawant and Kudari (2020)

UtilisingtheRelativeImportanceIndex(RII)asatool for quantifying the effects of each delay cause and ranking them according to severity allowed for strategic planning of future projects with an aim to reduce both the number of delays and the cost overrun associated with those delays. These results support the usefulness of a data-driven approach in the management of construction schedules.

11. Jayawant and Kudari (2020)

In their research, Tayade and Mahatme examined reasons for construction delays and ways to reduce thembysurveying23contractors,19consultantsand 15 owners about their experiences related to construction delays. They identified 73 sources of delay across nine categories and reported that all three groups identified the same major contributing factors to delayed construction: change orders; labour related issues; and inefficiencies in the contractor's performance. The authors then presented a structured mitigation plan that can be used as a roadmap for mitigating delays based on each primary category of source of delay.

12. Paray and Kumar (2020)

AccordingtoParayandKumar'sstudyof46causesof construction delays (using a literature review and construction professional survey), they used RII and 80/20analysismethodsanddiscoveredseveralmajor causes of delay. These included: strikes; unexpected site situations; natural disasters; soil investigation errors; and slow issuance of government permits. Their study concluded that timely identification of root causes is essential in order to minimize delays effectively.

13. Desai and Purohit (2022)

The author of this research study is Desai & Purohit (November 2013). Their focus was on analyzing the causes of "delays" specific to building construction projects in India, particularly residential projects. They identified the following, as the five primary causes of "delays" through both a Contractor and ConsultantanalysisoftheRelativeImportanceIndex (RII) method: Material (Shortages), Adverse Subsurface & Ground Conditions (Unforeseen), Poor Procurement Planning, Rework on Construction, & Equipment Failure. To mitigate these causes, the authors recommended two key measures: advance arrangements for equipment and better supervision of construction sites.

14. Gourav Shakya and Gupta (2022)

Surveyed over seventy construction stakeholders (engineers, contractors, developers, architects and Government Officials), after analysing forty seven factors associated with time, cost/quality/productivity;theresultsshowedthatthe main causes of time & cost overrun in the Indian construction industry are changes in design, inadequate planning, price variances/price fluctuations, and estimation errors.

15. , Mahatme, and Sabihuddin (2020)

The research examined the reasons for the delays experienced during the construction projects of bridges located in India by using the relative importance index (RII) to rank these reasons. The resultsshowedthatthethreemostimportantreasons for delays are lack of procurement, delayed support from trades, and subsequent revisions of design. Comparative analysis from the perspectives of contractors, consultants and clients showed that all three parties had very different perspectives on who should take the blame for the delays.

16. Kadu, Narwade, and Nagarajan (2021)

Kadu et al. studied delay causes in railway construction projects in India. They found that the three most significant reasons for delay in the construction of railways were land acquisition, delayed approval of the design documents, and shortage of skilled labour. Additionally, the findings of Kadu et al. identified specific delay characteristics forlinearinfrastructureprojectsandnotedthevalue of developing integrated approval mechanisms and advancedworkforceplanningasremediestoaddress these issues.

17. Sharma and Paul (2023)

Theconclusionofthisarticlewasthattheauthorsfelt that there needed to be major policy changes by the government with respect to funding and managing their road infrastructure projects.

18. Gupta (2025)

Cronbach's Alpha and RII Analysis, this study exploredthecausesofdelaysincostandtimeoverrun for Indian Pipeline Infrastructure Projects.

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Additionally, a Machine Learning Model was developedwithElevenAlgorithmstohelppredictthe project'stotalcostanditsestimatedcompletiondate. Throughouranalyses,wespecificallyidentifiedThree MajorCausesofDelay,namely;DesignChanges,Poor Planning, and Price Fluctuations, indicating the use of Predictive Analytics can greatly improve the accuracy of project planning.

19. Shikalgar, Ravi, and Patil (2022)

The correlation between time overruns and wasted materials on construction projects was examined. Results from both descriptive and inferential statisticsshowedthatpoormanagementofmaterials is highly correlated with delays in the schedule of construction. In addition to poor management of materials,theexistenceofconstructiondefectsdueto poor management of materials also created a substantial secondary contribution to delays. Consequently, it was recommended that additional quality control have to be implemented at the procurement and/or delivery stages of materials to allow for the dual reductions in undone work orders and delays.Utilising the Relative Importance Index (RII) as a tool for quantifying the effects.

20. Jaiswal and Kshirsagar (2021)

Jaiswal & Kshirsagar reviewed causes for cost overruns in the real estate construction sector in India. Their findings indicate that there is a strong correlationbetweenschedulingandtheoccurrenceof time delays in addition to being a common cause of bothcost&timeoverruns(i.e.,poorschedulinchanges in scope, financial instability of contractor). They recommend implementing improved financial planningpriortoprojectexecutionandmonitoringof costs at predetermined milestones as essential measuresforpreventingbothcostandtimeoverruns.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Delayshappenintheconstructionprocessoftenduetopoor planning,gapsinresources,andlackofcoordinationamong stakeholders.Thisreviewprovidesastructuredframework toimproveadherencetoaschedule,basedonbestindustry's practices.Thesepracticesinclude:conductingpre-execution audits,continuousmonitoringofscheduledcompletiondate, using standardized evaluation criteria, milestone related payments,bufferingofmaterials,designfreezes,mandatory stakeholders' meetings, and proactive risk registry. By includingthesepractices,projectscandevelopanaccurate timelineandcompletewithinbudgetappropriately.

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 Pre-construction planning: Before work starts, an audit should be done to make sure schedule, resource, work breakdown structure, labour hours, activity durationandproductionareachievable.

 Continuous delay monitoring: Thesitecoordinator needstomonitortheprojectschedule;iftheynoticeany possibledelayingevent,theyneedtonotifythedecisionmakerofthepotentialdelayassoonaspossible.

 Standardised contractor evaluation: Before awarding contracts, a performance evaluation system shouldbeusedtomeasurethecontractorsperformance inthepastwithregardtoscheduleadherence,properuse ofresources,etc.

 Payment based on milestones:Paymenttermsmust be based on completion of the verified milestone to reduce cash flow disruptions caused by delays in administrativeprocessing.

 Critical materials sched. buffer stock: Maintainan inventory of critical material stock based on historical leadtimeforprocurement.

 Mandatory design freeze policy: alldesignsshould befrozenpriortocommencingexecution,andanypostfreezechangeswillrequireevidenceofscheduledelayor costincrease.

 Weekly inter-stakeholder meetings:Weeklyinterstakeholdermeetings(client,consultant,contractorand sub-contractor)shallbepartofthecontractrequirement.

 Risk register usage: Maintainaprojectriskregister from the planning stage, and assign mitigation to the namedstakeholders.

CONCLUSIONS

construction projects, including poor planning, improper allocation of resources, financial irregularities and lack of coordination between stakeholders. A review of reviewed studies found that planning and scheduling were the two most important reasons for delays (22%), followed by designchanges,labourshortagesandmaterialprocurement problems.Therecommendationsproposedinthispaperare intended to address these issues by improving planning discipline, holding contractors accountable, developing appropriatefinancialstructuresandestablishingstructured communication.Implementingthesemeasureswillprovidea pragmaticwaytoreducetimeoverrunsandincreaseproject deliveryperformanceacrosstheIndianconstructionsector.

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International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

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