Project management factors influencing success of construction projects by emerging contractors in the Mahikeng area

Abstract

The Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises play a critical role in the South African economy in terms of providing employment and business opportunities to semi-skilled and unskilled previously disadvantaged groups. These enterprises are found in different spheres of the economy, some even render services to government in the form of construction of dams, houses, roads, storm water drainages, etc. However, literature abounds with findings of some of the SMMEs not being able to deliver their projects (mandates) successfully. The focus of this study therefore was to establish the project management factors influencing the succesful delivery of construction projects by emerging contractors in the Mahikeng area.This was done in the context of literature based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge which asserts that successful projects are projects completed on time/schedule, within budget, covering the scope initially agreed. A mixed design research method was used in this study to collect, analyse and derive findings based on both the quantitative and qualitative research approaches. This study found that projects are completed beyond scheduled time (schedule slippage), outside of the original budget ( cost overruns), and deliver results of a lower quality than initially planned as a consequence of cutting quality to reduce cost overruns. Focus group interviews, where open-ended questions were posed, probed further to expose factors such as lack of training in the project technical skills, poor financial management skills, lack of coaching and mentoring of emerging contractors by established companies in the construction field, and lack of exposure to training opportunities as some of the factors that impinge on the ability of emerging contractors in the Mahikeng area to deliver projects succesfully. Therefore, part of the recommendations contained in this study includes more support initiatives from the Department of Public Works, the banks, the National Home Builders' Regulatory Council, the municipality itself, and other key stakehoders in the construction industry.