# Diagnosing the Causes of Failure in the Construction Sector Using Root Cause Analysis Technique

Authors: Faiq M. S. Al-Zwainy; Ibrahim A. Mohammed; Ibrahim F. Varouqa
Journal: Journal of Engineering
 (2018)

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## Abstract

The aim of this study is identifying and diagnosing the causes of construction project failure by using different project management process groups. These groups were initiation process group, planning process group, design process group, contract process group, executing and monitoring process group, and close process group. Also, the relative importance of the causes of construction project failure was investigated. Three techniques were used in this study: Ishikawa diagrams, Pareto diagrams, and 5-why techniques. The results were generally identified and diagnosed thirty-five causes of the construction project failure; however, only twenty-three of the causes were the most important. The majority of causes (thirteen causes) were obtained by using executing and monitoring project management process group. Seven causes were obtained by using contract project management process group. In addition, fewer causes (only three causes) were obtained by using initiation project management process group.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Many construction projects suffer from poor design and from inconsistent time and cost management. This situation has led to rethinking of the industry’s performance and how it could be improved [1]. Consistent cost and time overruns of public works projects are not the best use of taxpayer money. In the current economic downturn where tax revenues are lagging, they are particularly detrimental. In the public sector, money spent on project change orders and increased construction time reduces the number and size of the projects that can be completed during any given fiscal year. Various reasons for construction cost and schedule overruns in any project include design error, inadequate scope, weather, project changes, and underestimating the time needed to complete the project. Items omitted from the engineer’s estimate of the projects due to design errors or inadequate scope frequently result in change orders, which increase cost as well as time of delivery. Underestimating the construction time is detrimental because another important project may be delayed from going to bid until the current project is completed. Many public projects are extensions of previous ones, and inaccuracies in estimating project cost and construction time can result in improper sequencing of related projects or phasing within projects, thus delaying much needed improvements [2].The Iraqi construction sector faced a number of obstacles and problems which prevent the application of project management methodologies in the construction projects. Most of the construction projects failure occurred as a result of the overtaking of planned implementation duration, the poor estimation of the budget, and the poor implementation quality of the project. This study identified and diagnosed the causes that contributed to the construction projects failure, in construction companies in Iraq, via the perspective of contractors, project managers, and their relationship with some variables. In this paper, the author tried to use a number of innovative tools for problems and obstacles diagnosing in the construction projects and then put suggestions to make a simple application for one of the project management methodologies.


## 2. Study Problem

The problem of this study focused on identifying the application obstacles of a project management methodology, in construction companies in Iraq, via the perspective of contractors, project managers, and their relationship with some variables. The importance of this study can be summarized as follows:(1)
It provides a true vision of the difficulties that can be faced by the stakeholders (project managers, contractors, suppliers, and owner) when applying the methodology of project management in both the construction projects and construction companies.(2)
It attempts to overcome these obstacles and reduce them.(3)
It makes recommendations for the decision-makers to determine what the stakeholders need from the international methodologies in the construction projects.(4)
It encourages the researchers to conduct further studies and then integrate them with the results obtained from the current study.


## 3. Study Objectives

The objectives of this study can be summarized as follows:(1)
Identifying and diagnosing the causes of construction project failure by using different project management process groups (initiation process group, planning process group, design process group, contract process group, executing and monitoring process group, and close process group).(2)
Determining the relative importance of the causes of construction project failure.(3)
Calculating the relative importance of each project management process group of the construction project.(4)
Supplying logical solutions that have helpful roles in implementation of an international project management methodology in the Iraqi construction sector.


## 4. Study Limits

The limitations of this study can be specified as follows:(1)
Time limits: the gathering data were implemented in 2015.(2)
Spatial limits: this study was conducted depending on construction companies operating in the Iraqi construction sector.


## 5. Study Methodology

In order to achieve the objectives presented in this study, a two-step study methodology was adopted as follows:(1)
Comprehensive survey.(2)
Data gathering and results analysis.The author used the same procedure that was followed by Al-Zwainy et al. [3] for exploring the comprehensive survey. The comprehensive survey was collected via previous studies from local and international journal papers, research reports, conference proceedings, theses, dissertations, and Internet publications.


## 6. Data Collection and Results Analysis

In order to identify and analyse the root causes for failure of the construction project and explore the problems which prevent the application of project management methodologies in the construction projects by the public institutions (Ministry of Construction and Housing) in Iraq, a survey research approach was adopted and this approach was used because of its advantage of rapid approach in data collection.A survey research approach was adopted in this study to identify and analyse the main causes of the construction project failure. Also, this approach was used to explore the problems that prevent the application of project management methodologies in the construction projects done by the public institutions (Ministry of Construction and Housing) in Iraq.The collection of data and information related to project management problems is a difficult task; this is because of the property information of each construction firm. In this study, the brainstorm approach was adopted, in addition to ten experts who were basically selected depending on their experience and qualification. Through the brainstorm approach, personal contact, by using the website, was made with stakeholders (project managers, contractors, suppliers, and owner). This approach deduced the main causes of the failure of construction project in different project management process groups (initiation process, planning process, design process, contract process, executing and monitoring process, and close process), as shown in Table1.Table 1
Main causes of the failure of construction project in project management process groups.
Project Management Process Groups Symbols Main Causes Symbols Initiation Process Group S1 Companies lack of understanding of the population and demographic changes for construction projects S11 Strategic location of the project was not selected well S12 No database to study the projects feasibility S13  Planning Process Group S2 Lack of experience in the field of planning S21 Failure to provide a scheme with sums allocated to the project accurately S22 Inaccuracy of the bill of quantities S23 Executive companies not interesting well with schedule program S24  Design Process Group S3 Many designs are inaccurate; therefore designers make adjustments continuously S31 Employer requirements were constantly changing S32 There were not reconnaissance surveys in the work site S33 Brainstorming was bad between architectural designer style and owner in order to reach the desired design S34  Contract Process Group S4 Weak ability of the contractors and inaccurate information because of the unavailable database S41 information provided by some contractors is inaccurate in bidding or contracting phase due to lack of databases about contractors S42 subcontractors were inefficient S43 A large positive or negative discrepancy between the bidding price of contractors and the cost guessed by the employer S45 Delay in signing the contract for a long time after the referral by the authorities related to the signature S45 Lack of the specialists for the bidding analysis committees, and lack of clarity of the approval controls to trade-off between the companies S46 Lack of precise criteria for referral and therefore referral to the lowest price S47  Executing & Monitoring Process Group S5 General conditions of the civil engineering do not apply to all the fields S51 Inefficient residents, engineers, and supervisors in the projects S52 Inefficient Executing companies S53 Inefficiency of staff in spite of the development in the construction industry S54 Monopoly ( making the tests in one laboratory) S55 Adoption of the general contracting method continuously in spite of problems caused by unsuitability circumstances of the country S56 Security conditions in some areas of the country and political or tribal interference S57 Holidays and events that reduce the work days per year as well as the weather conditions S58 Monitoring and controlling projects were done without using modern software S59 Time schedule was not updated regularly and continuously S510 Large number of the regular and frequent field visits for propaganda or advertising purposes S511 Occurrence of many change orders during construction – executing S512 Delays cash flow for contractors S513  Close Process Group S6 Problems in the calculations and measurement S61 Delay penalties S62 Leniency with the executing company if there is a defect in the executed projects and no reaction is taken for the defect diagnosing S63 Slow progress in the formation of technical committees S64In order to quantify and analyse the data as well as calculate the Arithmetic Mean (AM), the author used the statistical technique as mentioned by Al-Zwainy et al. [4]. The Arithmetic Mean (AM) and the impact degree can be shown in Table 2.Table 2
Number of frequencies and arithmetic mean for main causes.
Variable Observed Frequency AM 10 30 50 70 90 S11 2 11 21 34 18 62.79  S12 3 7 19 30 27 66.51  S13 1 6 6 33 40 74.41  S21 0 3 4 44 34 74.76  S22 2 7 9 47 21 68.13  S23 1 6 9 38 32 71.86  S24 0 1 4 39 42 78.37  S31 1 4 3 38 40 76.04  S32 3 8 13 27 35 69.30  S33 1 7 15 37 26 68.60  S34 1 12 20 37 16 62.79  S41 0 2 6 28 50 79.30  S42 2 2 3 36 42 75.93  S43 0 0 1 24 60 82.90  S44 1 2 10 40 33 73.72  S45 1 14 18 33 19 62.20  S46 0 8 20 34 24 67.20  S47 0 4 10 24 48 76.97  S51 0 8 15 30 33 70.46  S52 2 1 19 25 39 72.79  S53 0 2 4 32 48 79.30  S54 0 3 6 46 31 74.41  S55 0 12 15 35 23 65.46  S56 0 10 15 42 19 66.27  S57 0 2 2 24 58 82.09  S58 2 6 8 31 38 71.97  S59 1 10 8 41 24 66.74  S510 1 6 15 44 20 67.67  S511 2 10 25 28 21 63.02  S512 1 4 10 39 32 72.55  S513 0 7 12 35 32 71.39  S61 1 12 16 40 16 62.90  S62 1 8 18 40 18 64.76  S63 1 6 9 35 35 72.55  S64 1 10 7 42 25 68.02Problems solution is one of the most important processes in PMM domain. For an effective management methodology, it is very important to identify the “root causes” and “main causes” of the problem. The root cause(s) can be only found if there is a proper understanding of the process with a good experience of the innovative tools and techniques use. Six sigma tools were used as parts of the problem-solving management in the PMM domain. This study also tried to bridge the gap and showcase how the problem management can be done in more effective way by using innovative tools and techniques.There are several tools of creative thinking such as fishbone diagrams, mind mapping, Pareto analysis, brainstorming, nominal group technique, metaphorical thinking, and why analysis. The author focused on three techniques as follows:(A)
Ishikawa diagrams.(B)
Pareto diagrams.(C)
5-why technique.(A) Ishikawa Diagrams. The cause and effect analysis technique was devised by Professor Kaoru Ishikawa, a pioneer of quality management, in 1960s. This tool was then published in book in 1990, “Introduction to Quality Control”. the diagrams are known as Ishikawa diagrams or fishbone diagrams because the completed diagram looks like the skeleton of fish [5].This tool is used to come up with new ideas like the brainstorming but with more balanced way. The cause and effect diagram offers a structural approach for the research to obtain possible causes(s) of the problem. This tool helps to organize the problem-solving efforts by identifying the categories of factors that can cause problems. This tool is usually used after the Pareto or brainstorming sessions to organize the generated ideas [6].Although this tool was developed as a quality control tool, it can be just used to discover the root cause of the problem and the application failure of the project management methodology in the Iraqi construction sector.The possible reasons for this problem can be identified as follows:(1)
Identify the main problem, write it in a box, and then draw an arrow pointing towards it. In this study the main problem is the failure of PMM application in Iraqi construction sector. It is possible to think about the problem in detail like what the problem is, and when and where the problem occurs in process management groups and different ten management areas.(2)
Diagnose the major factors and draw six branches of the large arrow to represent the main categories (process management groups) as a potential cause, as shown in Table1.(3)
Use the brainstorm to identify all the possible causes of the problem in each of the main causes and explore each one to identify more specific causes; the information is shown in Table1 and presented in Figure 1.(4)
The diagram analysis. In this stage, a diagram showing all the possible causes of the problem (the application failure of the project management methodology in Iraqi construction sector) should be provided. Once the fishbone is complete, understanding all the main causes of the problem can be achieved, as shown in Figure1.Figure 1
Ishikawa diagrams.(B) Pareto Diagram. Pareto analysis is a technique for focusing the attention on the most important problem areas. The Pareto concept, named after the nineteenth-century Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, consists of a few relative factors that generally account for a large percentage of the total cases (e.g., complaints, defects, and problems). The idea is to classify the cases according to the degree of importance as well as to focus on the most important problem solutions, leaving the less important [6]. The basic concept of Pareto analysis is the data arrangement in a descending order. The diagram can be used with or without a cumulative curve which represents the percentage sum of the vertical bars in the Pareto diagram [7].The author is the first researcher who used the Pareto diagram in the project management methodology (PMM) to diagnose the deviation causes in six project management process groups. Relative importance (RI%) for main causes in project management process groups was shown in Table3. The contract process group had highest relative importance, 17.6%; however, the close process group had the lowest relative importance, 15.4%. Figure 2 shows the Pareto diagram prepared depending on the information provided in Table 3 and Figure 1.Table 3
Main causes weight, relative importance, and rank.
No Code Weights of Main Causes Average Weights of Main Causes Relative Importance RI % Rank Project Management Process Groups Main Causes 1 S1 S11 62.79 68 16 5 t h 2 S12 66.51 3 S13 74.41  1 S2 S21 74.76 73.28 17.4 2 n d 2 S22 68.13 3 S23 71.86 4 S24 78.37  1 S3 S31 76.04 69.18 16.4 4 t h 2 S32 69.30 3 S33 68.60 4 S34 62.79  1 S4 S41 79.30 74.03 17.6 1 s t 2 S42 75.93 3 S43 82.90 4 S44 73.72 5 S45 62.20 6 S46 67.20 7 S47 76.97  1 S5 S51 70.46 71.08 16.8 3 r d 2 S52 72.79 3 S53 79.30 4 S54 74.41 5 S55 65.46 6 S56 66.27 7 S57 82.09 8 S58 71.97 9 S59 66.74 10 S510 67.67 11 S511 63.02 12 S512 72.55 13 S513 71.39  1 S6 S61 62.90 67.06 15.8 6 t h 2 S62 64.76 3 S63 72.55 4 S64 68.02  ∑ 422.63 100%Figure 2
Pareto chart for all the processes.From Pareto chart, it can be concluded that planning process group (S2), contract process group (S4), and executing and monitoring process group (S5) constituted 80% of the problem. It can be said that by targeting these 3 top causes, 80% of the problem can be resolved.The author followed the same procedure in diagnosing the problems in the project management process groups using the fish bone and Pareto chart, as follows:Firstly, in the project initiation management process group, it was observed that there was a problem in the Iraqi construction sector. For example, the companies had too poor understanding to achieve the population’s requirements and demographics’ changes for the projects. Also, the selection of the strategic location of the project was inappropriate. In addition, there was no helpful database for the feasibility studies of the projects. These causes highly influenced the performance of construction projects. The problems of the initiation process group can be explained in Table4. Figure 3 shows the fishbone diagram for initiation process group. Figure 4 shows the Pareto chart for the rank of the failure causes in initiation process group.Table 4
Main causes weights, relative importance, and rank for project initiation management process group.
Code Weights of Secondary Causes RI% Rank Main Causes Secondary Causes S1 S11 62.79 30.8 3 r d S12 66.51 32.7 2 n d S13 74.41 36.5 1 s t  ∑ 203.71 100Figure 3
Fishbone diagram for project initiation management process group.Figure 4
Pareto chart for project initiation management process group.Secondly, in the project planning management process group, the problem causes can be summarized as follows:(i)
Insufficient experience of the engineers in the planning field.(ii)
Failure in accurately providing the project with the allocated budget.(iii)
Inaccuracy of the quantities bill.(iv)
The construction companies were not well interested in the program of work progress.These causes had a high effect on the Iraqi construction sector. Table5 represents the relative importance and rank of the causes in project planning management process group. Figure 5 shows the fishbone diagram of the project planning management process group. Figure 6 shows the Pareto chart where the cause (S24) had the first rank as a relative importance by 26.67% individually and by 100% cumulatively.Table 5
Main causes weights, relative importance, and rank for project planning management process group.
Code Weights Of Secondary Causes RI% Rank Main Causes Secondary Causes S2 S21 74.76 25.46 2 n d S22 68.13 23.2 4 t h S23 71.86 24.47 3 r d S24 78.37 26.69 1 s t  ∑ 293.61 100Figure 5
Fishbone diagram of the project planning management process group.Figure 6
Pareto chart for project planning management process group.Thirdly, in the project design management process group, the causes were as follows:(i)
Many designs were inaccurate and the designers made continuous adjustments.(ii)
The employer’s (owner's) requirements were constantly changing.(iii)
There were no reconnaissance surveys in the work site.(iv)
The communication between the designer and the employer was not good.These causes had an influence on the desired designs in the Iraqi construction sector. Table6 represents the relative importance and rank of the causes in project design management process group. Figures 7 and 8 show the fishbone diagram and Pareto chart for the project design management process group, respectively.Table 6
Main causes weights, relative importance, and rank for project design management process group.
Code Weights of Secondary Causes RI% Rank Main Causes Secondary Causes S3 S31 76.04 27.47 1 s t S32 69.30 25.04 2 n d S33 68.60 24.79 3 r d S34 62.79 22.69 4 t h  ∑ 276.73 100Figure 7
Fishbone diagram for project design management process group.Figure 8
Pareto chart for project design management process group.Fourthly, in the project contract management process group, seven causes were identified, as follows:(i)
The weak ability of contractors.(ii)
Inaccurate information provided by some contractors during the bidding or contracting period because of the lack of databases about the contractors.(iii)
The contractors referring the contract to an inefficient subcontractor.(iv)
Large discrepancy (positive or negative) between the bidding price of the contractors and the estimated cost by the owner.(v)
A long time delay in the contract signing after the referral by the owner.(vi)
The lack of specialists in the bidding analysis committees.(vii)
Lack of clarity of the approval controls to trade-off between the companies and lack of precise criteria for the referral and, therefore, giving the referral to the lowest price offer.Table7 represents the relative importance and rank of the causes in project contract management process group. Figures 9 and 10 show the fishbone diagram and Pareto chart of the project contract management process group, respectively.Table 7
Main causes weights, relative importance, and rank for project contract management process group.
Code Weights of Secondary Causes RI% Rank Main Causes Secondary Causes S4 S41 79.30 15.30 2 n d S42 75.93 14.65 4 t h S43 82.90 15.99 1 s t S44 73.72 14.23 5 t h S45 62.20 12 7 t h S46 67.20 12.97 6 t h S47 76.97 14.85 3 r d  ∑ 518.22 100Figure 9
Fishbone diagram for project contract management process group.Figure 10
Fishbone diagram for project contract management process group.Fifthly, in project executing and monitoring management process group, several causes were identified as follows:(i)
The general conditions of the civil engineering not applying to all the fields.(ii)
Inefficient engineers and supervisors working in the construction projects.(iii)
Inefficient contracting companies having the project referral.(iv)
Adoption of the general contracting method continuously in spite of the evidence that problems are caused by the lack of validity and suitability circumstances of the country.(v)
Holidays and events that reduce the work days per year as well as the weather conditions.(vi)
The monitor and control projects done without using modern software.(vii)
The table of the progress of work not regularly and continuously updated.(viii)
Large number of regular and frequent field visits for propaganda or advertising purposes.(ix)
A lot of changing orders.(x)
Delays in the completion of the work predecessor to the contractors (cash flow delay).Also, the author agrees with these opinions because of the realistic and logical answers. In addition, the safety conditions in some areas of the country and political or tribal interference had an important effect on the Iraqi construction sector. The problems of executing process group can be explained in Table8. Figure 11 shows the fishbone diagram for executing process group. Figure 12 shows the Pareto chart for the rank of the failure causes in executing process group.Table 8
Main causes weights, relative importance, and rank for project executing and monitoring management process group.
Code Weights of Secondary Causes RI% Rank Main Causes Secondary Causes S5 S51 70.46 7.62 8 t h S52 72.79 7.88 4 t h S53 79.30 8.58 2 n d S54 74.41 8.05 3 r d S55 65.46 7.08 12 t h S56 66.27 7.17 11 t h S57 82.09 8.88 1 s t S58 71.97 7.79 6 t h S59 66.74 7.22 10 t h S510 67.67 7.32 9 t h S511 63.02 6.82 13 t h S512 72.55 7.85 5 t h S513 71.39 7.73 7 t h  ∑ 924.12 100Figure 11
Fishbone diagram for project executing and monitoring management process group.Figure 12
Pareto chart for project executing and monitoring management process group.Sixthly, in project close management process group, the last part of the project life cycle is the delivery process (the closure of the project). During this process, there were several problems as follows:(i)
Problems in the calculations and measurement.(ii)
Penalties.(iii)
Leniency with the executing company if there is a defect in the executed projects with no reaction taken regarding the defect diagnosing.(iv)
Creating the interview committees in slow way.Table9 represents the relative importance and rank of the causes in project close management process group. Figures 13 and 14 show the fishbone diagram and Pareto chart for the project close management process group, respectively.Table 9
Main causes weights, relative importance, and rank for project close management process group.
Code Weights of Secondary Causes RI% Rank Main Causes Secondary Causes S6 S61 62.90 23.45 4 t h S62 64.76 24.14 3 r d S63 72.55 27.05 1 s t S64 68.02 25.36 2 n d  ∑ 268.23 100Figure 13
Fishbone diagram for project close management process group.Figure 14
Pareto chart for project close management process group.(C) Five-Why Technique. The root cause analysis (RCA) is an identifying process of the causal factors by using a structured approach with designed techniques to provide focus on identifying and resolving the problems. The tools that assist the groups or individuals in identifying the root causes of problems are known as root cause analysis tools. The RCA is a step-by-step method that leads to finding the faults or root causes. The RCA traces the cause and effect trail from the failure end and then back to the root cause [8].The root cause analysis techniques are a good choice to be adopted to diagnose the root causes of cost deviation in highway projects. Many root cause analysis tools have emerged from the literature as generic standards for identifying root causes such as fishbone diagram, Pareto diagram, and the 5-Why analysis [9].The root cause analysis (RCA) is one of the many brainstorming methodologies of asking “why”. It is one of the many brainstorming methodologies asking “why” five times repeatedly to help in identifying the root cause of the problem. If the problem is repeatedly questioned, each time an alternative solution comes out which is linked to the root cause. However, asking “why” may continue till getting an agreeable solution. “Five” is an arbitrary figure. The assumption is, after asking “why” five times, one is most likely to arrive at the root cause [8].Five-why analysis technique can be used individually or as a part of the fishbone diagram. The fishbone diagram contributed to the exploration of all the potential or real causes that led to the construction projects failure in Iraqi construction sector. All the input variables are once put in the fishbone, and then the 5-why technique can be used to drill down to the root causes.The author used the 5-why analysis technique because of its contribution to the identification of the root cause of the problem and determination of the relationship between the different root causes of the problem. Also, this technique is one of the simplest tools and is easy to complete without statistical analysis.In this study, the author used the 5-why analysis technique for identifying the root causes of the problems in Iraqi construction sector, and the problems resolving can be briefed as follows:(1)
Write down the specific problem, formalize the problem, and then describe it completely. The absence of project management methodology is the root cause.(2)
Ask why this problem (failure in construction projects) happens and then write down the answer below the problem. Table6 shows the reasons that led to the failure of construction projects. The most important of these causes is the lack of strategy for the management of construction projects in Iraq.(3)
If the answer is just provided, do not identify the root cause of the problem that you wrote down in Step 1. Ask “why” again and write down the answer, as shown in Figure15.(4)
Loop back to step 3 until the team is in agreement and the problem’s root cause is identified. Again this may take fewer or more times than five whys. Finally, the root cause is the absence of project management methodology.Figure 15
Five-why technique.


## 7. Conclusion

In this study, root cause identification methodology was adopted to diagnose the causes of failure in the Iraqi construction project. There are different problems related to the construction projects and project management process groups in Iraqi construction industries. The root cause identification for the project problems is a key step to improve the project management methodology. The root cause is the absence of project management methodology. Many root cause analysis tools appeared from the literature as general standards to identify the root causes. They were the fishbone diagram (FD), Pareto diagram (PD), and the 5-why analysis. The results were generally identified and diagnosed thirty-five causes of the construction project failure; however, only twenty-three of the causes were the most important. The majority of causes (thirteen causes) were obtained by using executing and monitoring project management process group. Seven causes were obtained by using contract project management process group. In addition, fewer causes (only three causes) were obtained by using initiation project management process group.



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