Selecting a delay analysis method in resolving construction claims

Delays occur commonly in construction projects. Assessing the impact of delay is sometimes a contentious issue. Several delay analysis methods are available but no one method can be universally used over another in all situations. The selection of the proper analysis method depends upon a variety of factors including information available, time of analysis, capabilities of the methodology, and time, funds and effort allocated to the analysis. The paper reviews 20 research studies that discuss various aspects of delay analysis methods and summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of widely used delay analysis methods, including the as-planned vs. as-built, impact as-planned, collapsed as-built, and time impact analysis methods. The paper also discusses the most important issues in delay analysis that affect the results of the analysis. The selection of a suitable analysis method depends heavily on the availability of scheduling data, the familiarity of the analyst with the capabilities of the software used in the project, clear specifications in the contract concerning the treatment of concurrent delays and the ownership of float.