An Investigation of Causes of Delay Affecting the United Arab Emirates Construction Industry

The construction industry is one of the key elements of the economy; therefore, it has a major impact on the economic development of the UAE. A common problem affecting the delivery of projects (private or public) is delay, which has a significant negative effect on the UAE economy. The objective of this study is to determine the critical delay factors that affect construction projects in the UAE. A literature review was also conducted, in which 106 factors were identified. A structured survey questionnaire was then developed and distributed to experienced engineers working in the UAE construction industry. The top factors that cause construction delay were found to be: changes of orders, clients' delays in decision-making and approval, financing difficulties of contractors, contractors' poor site management and poor site supervision, contractors' poor controls of site progress. These research findings can provide good guidelines to the construction industry to minimize the delay by addressing its causes. The guidelines advise the clients to reduce change order requests and avoid delays in decision making or approval required at any stage of construction; support the contractors in project planning; and prepare the contractors for project risk expected in the project at the planning stage before execution.