Charbel, G; Assaad, R H; Tejada, T R and Karaa, F (2025) Modeling the interdependencies between the risk factors contributing to preconstruction delays in construction projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 151(4): 04025022, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
While preconstruction delays have significant ramifications on all aspects of a project, they are often overlooked. Existing research studies focused on preconstruction delay factors as isolated events without considering the interdependencies between them. This paper addresses this research gap by considering and analyzing the associations between various risk factors causing delays in the preconstruction phase. First, a list of 30 preconstruction delay risk factors was identified based on relevant literature and was validated using the Delphi technique. Second, the dependencies between the risk factors were identified by constructing a risk structure matrix (RSM) through input from a focus group of experts by following the Delphi approach. Third, the analytic hierarchy process method was applied on the obtained RSM to quantify the identified dependencies between the various risk factors by constructing a risk numerical matrix (RNM) based on a survey distributed to industry practitioners. Fourth, the relationships or correlations between the various risk factors were modeled using network analysis conducted on the obtained RNM. Finally, the key risk factors leading to preconstruction delays were determined using clustering analysis. The research findings demonstrated that the most critical preconstruction delay risk factors are (1) design changes, mistakes, errors, and omissions; and (2) conflicts among project participants. This research adds to the body of knowledge by developing a new approach that models preconstruction delay factors as an interconnected network of events rather than as independent occurrences, thus providing a better understanding of how different preconstruction delay risk factors interact with each other and how the occurrence of one risk factor can trigger other occurrences. This research motivates stakeholders to look out for preconstruction delays more actively during project planning and design and to effectively mitigate them, ultimately improving risk management strategies during the preconstruction phase of projects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | risk management, risk factor, clustering, modelling, network analysis, construction project, Delphi technique, practitioner, body of knowledge, project planning, focus group, strategy, design change, survey |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, knowledge management, analytical methods, practitioner, environmental hazards, production management, data science, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods, risk assessment, control systems, management |
| Topics: | Procurement, Sustainability, Risk Management, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Digital Applications, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here