A Systematic review to investigate the root causes for variations in infrastructure developments

Abstract

Infrastructure development projects play a critical role in economic and societal advancement. However, they are frequently affected by variations that influence project cost, time, and performance. Given the limited knowledge about the root causes and impacts specific to infrastructure developments, a systematic literature review conducted using a mixed method approach. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. Relevant publications from Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases between 2019 and 2023 were identified using a structured search strategy based on the PICO framework. Following screening and eligibility assessment, fourteen peer-reviewed studies were selected for detailed analysis. The findings reveal that variations arise from interconnected financial, technical, administrative, environmental, institutional, and human-related factors. Key root causes include insufficient budget allocation, regulatory and policy changes, design deficiencies, unforeseen site conditions, material supply disruptions, and coordination failures among stakeholders. These factors contribute to project delays, cost overruns, contractual disputes, and scope modifications, ultimately affecting infrastructure project performance. The review further highlights the complex interactions among stakeholders and emphasizes the need for proactive risk management, improved financial planning, regulatory streamlining, and enhanced communication mechanisms to mitigate variation impacts. By synthesizing recent literature, this study provides a consolidated understanding of the drivers of variations in infrastructure developments and offers insights to support policy makers and practitioners in improving project resilience and delivery outcomes.