Analyzing the Impacts of Poor Project Management on Construction Projects

To deliver construction projects on time, within budget, and without defects, project management teams must adopt approaches that reduce the risk of misunderstandings and other issues, including those that are potentially disastrous to project completion. In their study "Unraveling Project Pitfalls: A Forensic Exploration of Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration Breakdowns in Construction," presented at the ASCE 10th Forensic Engineering Congress, Exponent's Robert Locke, Gayathri Shetty, David Anderson, and Cliff Bishop explore factors of communication, coordination, and collaboration — commonly referred to as the "Three Cs to Success" — for construction projects and project managers.

The authors' forensic study analyzes the construction of four buildings and a sequence of events that led to delays, construction defects, and, ultimately, an explosion and potentially life-threatening circumstances. The authors describe a series of miscommunications and inadequate coordination among stakeholders, particularly between the general contractor and subcontractors, highlighting that the general contractor's failure to produce accurate and reliable schedule updates, coupled with the subcontractors' lack of awareness regarding the instability of the ground supporting propane tanks, played pivotal roles in the project's derailment.

The authors' findings underscore the importance of proactive management practices in construction projects. They advocate for establishing robust communication channels and regular meetings to ensure all stakeholders are aligned and informed about potential issues and project progress. By fostering a collaborative environment, the authors conclude, project teams can mitigate risks and enhance overall efficiency. The study serves as a crucial reminder that proper communication, coordination, and collaboration are not mere buzzwords, but essential components of successful construction projects.

From the publication: "Statistics show that of projects with highly effective communication, 71% finish on time, 76% are completed in budget, and 80% meet their set goals; conversely, for projects with minimally effective communication, only 37% finish on time, 48% are completed within budget, and 52% meet their set goal."