CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE · Vol. 2021

An Evaluation of Planning Techniques Impacting Construction Project Performance in Nigeria

Dele S. Kadiri, Obiora K. Uroko; Babajide O. Onabanjo and Elijah O. Oyewole

Keywords: Construction, evaluation, performance, planning, techniques

Abstract

It has been observed that the planning technique used for project execution determines its performance. Extant literature shows that the five planning techniques mostly used in Nigeria are Gantt/bar chart, linked bar chart, critical path method, project evaluation and review technique and line of balance. However, there are scanty studies on the impact of planning techniques on project cost performance. This study evaluated the usage of these planning techniques in Nigeria to determine their impacts on project cost and duration. A descriptive survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted of medium and large scale contracting firms in Lagos State, Nigeria, using a random sampling technique. One hundred and twenty (120) respondents were sampled out of a population of 159 contracting firms in these categories. The data collected were analysed using mean score and percentage. The results from the study indicated that Gantt/bar chart is the planning technique mostly used in the study area. Moreover, the critical path method and PERT outperformed the other planning techniques in time and cost performance, respectively, while the bar chart performed least in both time and cost. The study concluded that although planning techniques are low in the study area, their time and cost performances are fair. It is recommended that more sophisticated techniques should be used in the study area for enhanced project performance.