A Conceptual Model of Delay Factor Affecting Government Funded Hydropower Projects

Abstract

Over the past decades, delay in Hydropower projects particularly Government owned has been a noteworthy issue in the Pakistan. The current study is carried out to study the issues that are contributing or resulting in delay of Hydropower projects. The main purpose is to identify and determine a conceptual model of delay factors which subsequently will be used to examine the impact that delay factors has on government funded hydropower projects. From literature review, thirty one (31) delay factors were identified. Factors of delay under study were categorized under six main groups namely owner, consultant, contractor, project, contract and external. Survey was conducted by distributing questionnaires across stakeholders that included consultants, contractors and owners from hydropower projects. The questionnaire had a list of aforementioned categorized delay causing factors of which the respondents were ask to rank each according to the 5 point Likert scale. The results indicated that out of 169 questionnaires that were distributed, 150 were successfully completed and returned. The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Program for Social Scientists (SPSS). The three most notable factors of construction delays were identified as: (1) Slow decision making process by owner; (2) Difficulties in financing project by owner; (3) Inadequate contractor’s human resources. The study concluded that owner related delay factors had the highest impact on project completion followed by contractor related while project related exhibited the least impact. This study can benefit stakeholders dealing with the hydropower projects to mitigate and establish suitable solutions for overcoming the delay.