Factors influencing the selection of delay analysis methodologies

Delays and disruption to contractors’ progress are a major source of claims and disputes in the construction industry. Often at the heart of the matter in dispute is the question of the extent of each contracting party’s responsibility for the project delay. Various delay analysis methodologies have been developed over the years as aids to answering this question. This paper reports on a study into the factors that influence analysts’ selection from these methodologies. Eighteen factors were identified through literature review and pilot surveys and then ranked on their relative importance based on data collected in a nation-wide survey of UK construction organisations. Factor analysis was used to reduce the factors into 6 group factors: project characteristics, contractual requirements, characteristics of baseline programme, cost proportionality, timing of the analysis and record availability.