Construction Project Failures Around the World: What Have We Learned So Far?

Abstract

Project failure has become a global phenomenon in the built environment. Failures recorded on construction projects can be linked to various issues depending on the nature of the project, the synergy of the professional project team and external stakeholders. Also, external factors beyond the project team's control can lead to project failure. Given the different causes of project failure experienced globally, this study seeks to review project failure on monumental construction projects across the world. To achieve this, the study adopted an extensive review of literature to assess the causes of the failures recorded on the focused projects. The study also synthesised the different causes of failures recorded to project lessons learnt from the failed projects. Findings of the study revealed that lack of project planning before the inception of these projects and inadequate risk assessment contributed largely to the failures recorded on these projects.

Keywords: Human errors, Project abandonment, Project failure.

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1002301