Effects Of Design And Site Management Factors On The Completion Of Sondu-Miriu Hydropower Project In Kisumu County, Kenya
Abstract
Infrastructural projects are successful when competed within scheduled timeframe,
allocated budget and specified quality. Delay is a critical challenge world over, leading to
cost and time overruns, as well as abandonment of projects. The completion of Sondu-
Miriu Hydropower project was scheduled to end in 2005, but was later revised to 2011 due
to delay, which periodical reports linked to design and site-related issues, among others.
Whereas causes of project delays have attracted many studies, the effects of such delays
have not received as much attention. This study attempted to determine the effects of
design and site-related delays on the project’s completion. A causal-comparative design was
adopted and primary data sourced in May 2011 from 39 senior management staff of
contractual parties. Relative Importance Index was used to determine the relative
importance of perceived effects of design and site-related delays on the project’s
completion; while Kendell’s Coefficient of Concordance was applied to determine the
degree of agreement among participants regarding their perceived effects of delays. The
study found that design-related delays affected the project’s completion by necessitating rescheduling
and re-sequencing of planned activities (84.6%); increasing time-related costs
(84.6%); as well as extending time or accelerating works (82.1%). Besides, site-related
delays affected the project by causing re-scheduling and re-sequencing of works (61.5%);
increasing time-related costs (59.0%); as well as preventing early completion (56.4%). The
study recommends the need for sufficient time and budget for pre-design multi-disciplinary
consultations, which should subject design approaches to critique, for acceptable,
inspirational, durable, efficient and safe infrastructural facilities completed within
scheduled timeframe and budget. Besides, there need for sufficient timeframe for
negotiation, compensation and transfer of land ownership rights from communities to
contractors. Satisfactory compensation of affected community members is important for
galvanizing support and nurturing a sense ownership, which are crucial for timely
completion of infrastructural projects.
allocated budget and specified quality. Delay is a critical challenge world over, leading to
cost and time overruns, as well as abandonment of projects. The completion of Sondu-
Miriu Hydropower project was scheduled to end in 2005, but was later revised to 2011 due
to delay, which periodical reports linked to design and site-related issues, among others.
Whereas causes of project delays have attracted many studies, the effects of such delays
have not received as much attention. This study attempted to determine the effects of
design and site-related delays on the project’s completion. A causal-comparative design was
adopted and primary data sourced in May 2011 from 39 senior management staff of
contractual parties. Relative Importance Index was used to determine the relative
importance of perceived effects of design and site-related delays on the project’s
completion; while Kendell’s Coefficient of Concordance was applied to determine the
degree of agreement among participants regarding their perceived effects of delays. The
study found that design-related delays affected the project’s completion by necessitating rescheduling
and re-sequencing of planned activities (84.6%); increasing time-related costs
(84.6%); as well as extending time or accelerating works (82.1%). Besides, site-related
delays affected the project by causing re-scheduling and re-sequencing of works (61.5%);
increasing time-related costs (59.0%); as well as preventing early completion (56.4%). The
study recommends the need for sufficient time and budget for pre-design multi-disciplinary
consultations, which should subject design approaches to critique, for acceptable,
inspirational, durable, efficient and safe infrastructural facilities completed within
scheduled timeframe and budget. Besides, there need for sufficient timeframe for
negotiation, compensation and transfer of land ownership rights from communities to
contractors. Satisfactory compensation of affected community members is important for
galvanizing support and nurturing a sense ownership, which are crucial for timely
completion of infrastructural projects.
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