Project Management Series -1: Success Tips - DELAYS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS?

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“DELAYS”
IN
IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS

“A project” is a discrete set of inter-related work activities

constrained by a specific scope, budget, and schedule to deliver,
performed in a logical sequence to attain a specific result and achieve
the strategic goals of an Organisation. Each activity, and the entire
project, has a Start and Finish date.

“Project Management” is the tools, techniques, and processes for

defining, initiating, planning, organizing, controlling, and leading a
project to conclusion and delivering the predefined results.

Projects are parts, or subsystems, of

much bigger systems called businesses
of the organisation. Projects, of course,
are not implemented and operated in a
vacuum. Each project has or uses
elements such as processes,
participants, policies, procedures, and
requirements, some of which are

Sanjay Sharma, BE, MBA, PhM (Infrastructure)

Project Management Series -1: Success Tips - DELAYS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS?
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dependent upon and interact with related elements in the larger

business system.

A conflict between project and

system can result in disequilibrium.
More important, it is easier to identify
potential project failure by
recognizing the disequilibrium. If left
unmanaged, disequilibrium can result
in project failure. So what types of
disequilibrium make a project a
success or failure?

In almost all cases, a project’s success or failure is attributed to

one or the other of following mentioned common reasons:

1 Delay in handing over of project site i.e.

Right of Way (RoW);
2 Unforeseen ground conditions for
implementation of Project, at project site;
3 Conflicts between owner and other
Stakeholders of Project;
4 Improper Macro & Micro level Planning of
contractor during bidding stage;
5 Improper and Poor means of contracting
and subcontracting work under the Project;
6 Inaccurate specification of site conditions
and project scope;
7 Unrealistic time schedule given in contract
and accepted by Contractor;
8 Faulty Geo - investigation report;
9 Slow decisions on project issues from the
owner or poor follow up by the Contractor;
10 Bureaucracy in client's organization;
11 Ambiguity in specifications and conflicting
interpretation of the same by parties;
12 Ambiguity in General or Special Terms and Conditions of
contract and conflicting interpretation of the same by parties;

Sanjay Sharma, BE, MBA, PhM (Infrastructure)

Project Management Series -1: Success Tips - DELAYS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS?
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13 Unrealistic inspection and testing

methods proposed in contract;
14 Delay in approval of completed work by
client (i.e. stage passing);
15 Delay in approval of shop drawings and
samples;
16 Non availability of drawings / designs on
time by the Design Consultant;
17 Consultant or Architect's reluctance for
change i.e. Specifications, Drawings,
Detailing etc.;
18 Delay in obtaining permissions &
approvals from Local Authorities;
19 Poor organizational structure of client or
consultant;
20 Financial Constraints of contractor;
21 Delay in payment of running account bills by client to the
contractor;
22 Inadequate experience of contractor i.e. technical incompetence
for specific job;
23 Poor labour productivity;
24 Lack of control over sub contractor ;
25 Frequent change of sub contractor;
26 Poor site management and supervision;
27 Use of improper or obsolete construction
methods;
28 Increase in scope of work beyond
provisions of Contract;
29 Rework due to errors in execution of
project activities;
30 Rework due to change of design or
deviation order;
31 Delay in finalization of rates for extra
items;
32 Delay in Issue of deviation order;
33 Poor coordination among parties i.e. poor
co-ordination management;
34 Delay in material delivery by vendors ;
35 Delay in material to be supplied by the
owner i.e. delay in issue of free issue materials by Client;

Sanjay Sharma, BE, MBA, PhM (Infrastructure)

Project Management Series -1: Success Tips - DELAYS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS?
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36 Delay in material procurement (action by the contractor);

37 Change in material prices / price escalation;
38 Improper storage of materials leading to damaged material when
necessary
39 Inefficient use of equipment
40 Lack of skilled operators for specialized equipment;
41 Extreme weather conditions;
42 Local political conditions;
43 Restricted access at site;
44 Poor standard of Safety Management: Site accidents due to lack
of safety measures;
45 Poor standard of Safety Management: Site accidents due to
Negligence;
46 Lack of motivation for contractor( viz. provisions of Incentive or
bonuses for early finish etc in the contract );
47 Changes in Govt. regulations and laws;
48 Other force majeure reasons, beyond the Control of Client or
Consultant or Contractor.

Sanjay Sharma, BE, MBA, PhM (Infrastructure)