Methods for analysing concurrent delays in Sri Lankan construction industry

Abstract

Difficulties arise when two or more events occur at exactly the same time or simultaneously, that have the effect of delaying the project completion date. This is known as concurrent delay. Concurrent delays have been labelled as the most complex and challenging aspect of delay analysis. However concurrency in construction delay claims can be evaluated using methods such as “Apportionment” method, “Malmaison” approach, “Dominant cause” approach, “But for test” and “First in line” approach. Most of the concurrency delay analysis methods have been tested in the court of law for assessing concurrent delay claims. However, in Sri Lankan context it is not much popular among industry practitioners. Hence it was expedient to carry out a proper research to find out the way of treating concurrent delays in Sri Lankan Construction Industry with the aim of identifying the appropriate method/s for assessing concurrency in construction delays in Sri Lankan Construction Industry. The research was approached through a mixed research approach, which comprised of qualitative data collected via semi structured interviews and quantitative data collected via structured questionnaire survey. Relative Important Index (RII) was mainly used in the data analysis. Results revealed that Malmaison approach is the most suitable method for analysing concurrency in construction delays claims Sri Lankan Construction Industry which has been accepted and applicable in the court of law. Further according to the research findings poorly updated programmes, lapses and omissions in documents, absence in acceptable quality in documentation absence of potential impacts of delays and lack of knowledge in Case Laws were lead low usage of concurrent delay analysis methods in Sri Lankan Construction industry. It can be recommended that SCL protocol 2002 to be used as guidance for assessing concurrent delays in the contracts and clear method for preparing programmes to be included in the contracts to encourage better concurrent delay analysing practice.