Causes of miscommunication leading to project delays and low work quality in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

One of the major issues in the construction industry is miscommunication among all the related people working on a project. The success of a project depends on the effectiveness of information flow, as it is believed to be the cause of irregularities in most projects. This study was undertaken to address the issue of miscommunication in the construction sector of Saudi Arabia to evaluate the root causes of miscommunication and its effects on the health of a project. A comprehensive survey was designed to seek the opinion of highly experienced experts in the construction industry regarding the matter. The obtained data was put into a three-staged statistical analysis including a reliability check through Cronbach’s alpha and weighted average rating factors. The results revealed the root causes of miscommunication which pose a serious threat to a project. Also, the results showed that the major effects produced by these causes are project delay and low work quality on a construction site. The factors were organized on a fishbone diagram for better clarity. The research is beneficial for the administrative and management staff of a construction project. By deploying protective measures during the planning phase, discussed in the article, the adverse effects of miscommunication can be avoided.