Factors affecting time and cost overrun in rural construction projects in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Developing countries have identified the importance of the active participation of residential communities in remote areas for a country's economic development. Therefore, several projects are being implemented in Sri Lanka, aiming to develop infrastructure facilities such as internal roads, irrigation structures, and government buildings in rural areas. It helps to uplift the living standards of rural communities. Completion of these infrastructure development projects according to the pre-defined time frame and agreed budget are more critical to developing countries like Sri Lanka. However, time and cost overruns are noted in rural construction projects. Specific factors that influence the time and the cost overrun in projects could be identified in projects operating in rural areas than urban areas. This study investigated the most significant factors influencing the time and cost overrun in rural projects and the mitigation measures to overcome such factors within this context. A comprehensive literature survey was carried out to identify time and cost overrun factors and their mitigation measures applied in the construction industry. A total of 30 such factors, and 27 mitigation measures were identified and validated through a pilot survey with the participation of 05 experts working in public and private organizations associated with construction projects in the Puttalam District; this region is considered as a rural area and has many ongoing projects. The experts’ comments were used to modify the literature findings in particular to rural projects and develop the questionnaire. Accordingly, the questionnaire contained adjusted 25 and 21 time/cost overrun factors and mitigation measures, respectively. Professionals consisted with Project Managers, Site Managers & Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Procurement Engineers from 12 of ongoing and 25 of completed projects in Puttlam District were considered to draw the sample for the questionnaire survey. The Chi- Square test was employed for statistical analysis of the quantitative data collected through the questionnaire survey. Findings were validated by the same experts who were involved in the pilot survey. Nine and seven significant time/cost overrun factors and mitigation factors, were established for rural projects in Sri Lanka.