Assessment of Decision-Making Factors Influencing Project Performance in the Construction Industry in Uyo, Nigeria

Abstract

Decision-making is a critical process in project management, yet many crucial decisions aimed at improving organizational standards, driving projects to successful completion, and enhancing performance are often neglected or ignored. As a result, the persistent challenges of poor project performance in terms of cost, time, and quality continue to prevail. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the construction-related factors influencing decision-making and identify key dimensions of decision-making to improve project performance within the Nigerian construction context. The study employed an exploratory survey using a structured questionnaire for data collection, involving 42 clients, 153 consultants, and 102 contractors in Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was utilized to select respondents for the survey. Mean score value, Kruskal-Wallis Test, and Factor analysis were adopted for data analysis. The study revealed that the primary decision-making factors influencing project performance in the construction industry include the financial capability of the client, availability of capital, client's priority on the proposed project, experience and intuition of project team members, and the extent of deployment of project management practices. Furthermore, the results identified four underlying dimensions of decision-making for improving project performance in the Nigerian construction industry: financial resources, project management best practices, risk management, and project characteristics. Implementing the recommendations outlined in this study can help stakeholders in the Nigerian construction industry enhance decision-making processes, mitigate risks, improve project performance, and ultimately achieve successful project delivery.