Volume 7, Issue 6, June – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 IJISRT22JUN1486 www.ijisrt.com 1096 Analyzing the Project Delay Causes in the South African Construction Industry ANTHONY OBODODIKE EKWUNO Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment University of Johannesburg Bunting Road, Auckland Park Johannesburg, South Africa Abstract:- Construction projects have experienced major delays in the past decades. Project setback is a big burden in setting up projects. Professionals have established that delay in a project can only be controlled if its symptom is detected and acknowledged. A project has been described as a one-time undertaking that is established for a purpose. A questionnaire was designed and used to obtain the stakeholders’ perceptions regarding the causes of project setbacks. The objectives of this study are to establish and assess the project delay sources in the construction industry in South Africa, detect the mitigation measures in the construction industry in South Africa, and ascertain different views among stakeholders concerning project setbacks. This study tends to address the following two questions: ‘What are the major causes of project delays in the South African construction industry? And what are the mitigation measures against project delays in the South African construction industry? 54 causes of project delays were established through the literature review. Mitigation strategies against project delays were identified. Mitigation strategies will help construction professionals to improve the successful delivery of projects. The study has proved that every project setback has a remedy. The three major stakeholders collectively contribute to the factors causing project delays. The study revealed that delays in one country may be different from another country. This study discovered that all the stakeholders are experienced and knowledgeable in terms of recognition of the factors creating project delays. The study gives a clear indication of the major contributors to project delays for the benefit of the clients and contractors. This will serve as a guideline for the client and the contractor toward completing the projects within time, quality, and budget. It will also eliminate the issue of unnecessary disputes among the parties to the project. However, this extensive literature review will save future researchers enough time when conducting studies on similar topics. The outcome of this study will assist both professionals and academicians to understand the fundamental sources of project setbacks and their relief strategies. This study will help the risk planners of construction projects when dealing with the issue of project analysis, monitoring, and controlling, as these are the critical factors for the successful delivery of projects. The study will also benefit future college and university graduates whose intentions are to proceed to the working field after graduation. The client policymakers who can revise or create policies based on the findings of this study will also benefit. Keywords:- Construction, South Africa, Delay, Mitigation, Ethics. I. INTRODUCTION Project setback has become a nightmare in the establishment of a project. Projects have been regarded as one-off development. According to Aziz (2013), a project is a once-off unique undertaking that is constructed on a certain site under unrepeatable conditions. The study further discloses that the construction project is a composite venture that is executed through human efforts and the availability of equipment and materials. The study regards construction projects as a one-time venture in a specific area that remains unchangeable. A project can be successful only completed within budget, time, quality, and owner’s satisfaction. The study uses the relative importance index to rank the various groups. The study advises that efficient communication should be established to minimize the issue of delay in project execution. Agyekum-Mensah and Knight (2017) reveal that criticisms of project setbacks have negatively affected many construction projects in every country. According to the report, several studies on project delays detected in the literature relied on ratings done by the participants. Hamzah et al (2011) maintain that the inability to finish projects within schedule has negative impacts on those projects. The study maintains that once a project is behind schedule, there is a possibility of incurring extra costs to the project. Banobi and Jung (2019) reveal that any delay caused by the contractor may hinder the contractor’s future opportunity in securing business opportunities. Panova and Hilletofth (2018) reveal that since construction projects are unavoidable, it is problematic to forecast the results of their execution in the future. Its success depends on how accurately the amount of equipment and materials and related flows are predicted. Akaranga and Makau (2016) insist that researchers must maintain a good attitude in investigating and circulating discoveries in all academic writings. However, this study shows full consideration of ethical principles in research work. To deal with the aforementioned issues, the study tends to eliminate this awareness deficiency by treating the following fundamental questions:  Identify the major sources of project delays affecting the construction industry in South Africa?  Identify mitigation measures against these delays? The construction industry contributes immensely to improving the South African economy but this has been affected by project delays that manifest due to one reason or the other. This enormous economic contribution can only be maintained through continuous addressing of this issue on