40 Commonly Observed Engineering Projects Planning and Implementation Deficits and Challenges

It is a fact that a lot of planning go into engineering projects before implementation. However, from experience, no project is ever perfectly set-up. There are always gaps observed right from the bidding stage, during which requests for clarifications are made by prospective bidders, whether in Consultancy Proposal documents or in Works contracting documents.

Most of these deficits are then addressed in Client's clarifications, Consultant’s comments and suggestions to the terms of reference and highlighted in methodology for carrying out the assignment and in the case of project contracting process for construction projects, in various addenda issued during bidding.

Despite the rigorous prior planning and the above initial interventions, complex gaps and many other challenges still exist. Majority of them are observed during the project implementation stage.

The following are 40 points compiled from my reflection of practice experience in 22 projects implemented in the last 16 years in 7 countries in Africa:

1.      Lack of clearly defined project area – common in consultancy projects;

2.      Improperly constituted project staffing – common in consultancy projects;

3.      Irregularities in compliance to current legislation especially related to environmental studies – common in consultancy projects;

4.      Lack of accurate drawings and work quantity estimation documents – common in construction projects;

5.      Missing survey benchmarks – common in construction projects;

6.      Sub-standard site office and laboratory set-up – common in construction projects;

7.      Lack of designs  – common in construction projects;

8.      Unforeseen rock conditions– common in construction projects;

9.      Unforeseen ground water conditions – common in construction projects;

10.  Complicated unforeseen underground services – common in construction projects;

11.  Lack of sites for various proposed facilities – common in construction projects;

12.  Lack of Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) by start of construction – common in construction projects;

13.  Lack of information and study reports promised in the Terms of reference (ToR) – common in consultancy projects;

14.  Request by client to unrealistically shorten implementation time – common in both consultancy and construction projects;

15.  Unsuitable staff replacements – common in both consultancy and construction projects;

16.  Inadequate equipment – common in construction projects;

17.  Acute cash flow challenges – common in construction projects;

18.  Delayed payments – common in both consultancy and construction projects;

19.  Prolonged delay in completion of projects – common in construction projects;

20.  Unrealistic claims – common in construction projects;

21.  Unexplained absence of key staff – common in construction projects;

22.  Misuse of project vehicles – common in construction projects;

23.  Labour unrests – common in construction projects;

24.  Immigration challenges for expatriate staff – common in both consultancy and construction projects;

25.  Wrong equipment and parts orders leading to reorder delays – common in construction projects;

26.  Lack of attendance of important meetings by senior project staff – common in construction projects;

27.  Delayed reports – common in both consultancy and construction projects;

28.  Delayed issue of minutes – common in both consultancy and construction projects;

29.  Lack of compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality (HSEQ) requirements – common in construction projects;

30.  Lack of response to correspondences by some parties – common in both consultancy and construction projects;

31.  Poor staff welfare – common in construction projects;

32.  Lack of compliance with site instructions – common in construction projects;

33.  Lack of testing – common in construction projects;

34.  Lack of organized project photographs and poor photography – common in construction projects;

35.  Inaccurate and manipulated work measurements – common in construction projects;

36.  Poor report contents – common in consultancy projects;

37.  Political interference – common in construction projects;

38.  Delay in renewal of guarantees and insurances – common in construction projects;

39.  Delayed handing over and commissioning of works – common in construction projects;

40.  Lack of necessary follow up and attention during the defects liability period – common in construction projects.

While these 40 points may not all be present in one project, majority of them are persist in many projects. It is therefore important to consider and factor in contingency plans for mitigation of these identified gaps and challenges for successful and timely delivery of engineering projects.

This intervention is best achieved by carrying out a detailed project risk assessment and laying out mitigation measures at the beginning of the project. The same should be updated periodically to ensure best working solutions are proposed, to suit changing project circumstances.

In the next article, I will share my experience on dealing with some of the unique and surprising gaps I have encountered in my practice.

In the meantime please add on the comments some of the gaps and challenges you have experienced or are experiencing right now in your projects, questions and any general suggestions for improvements on listed points.

Eng Reuben J Onunga, PE

Water and Wastewater Expert/Deputy Team Leader at COWI, Nakuru, Kenya.