Cost and Schedule Performance in Higher Education Construction Projects in Saudi Arabia

The construction industry in Saudi Arabia has been experiencing poor cost and time performance, leading to financial losses for all project parties involved. This study analyzes the cost and schedule performance of horizontal and vertical projects constructed at a public university between 2012 and 2022. Data on construction costs and schedules were collected and compared to assess project performance, such as cost growth and schedule growth. The findings from analyzing the project data were then used to formulate the interview questions designed to understand key factors contributing to cost and schedule growth and to explore potential solutions. Additionally, factors influencing project cost and time, as identified from a thorough review of previous studies, were used to guide the analysis and the interview process. The results indicate that vertical projects experienced more cost and schedule growth than horizontal projects. Altogether, 80% of both vertical and horizontal projects exceeded their planned budgets by an average of 5%, and ~95% of those projects were completed behind their planned schedules, with an average delay of 160%. The interviews revealed several factors affecting project performance, including owner-related issues such as change orders, payment delays, design errors, and inaccurate quantity estimates; contractor-related issues such as delays in material approvals and inadequate planning; labor-related challenges such as shortages of workers and unavailability of skilled laborers; and government-related challenges such as taxes, visa restrictions, and localization requirements. The findings of this study can help universities in taking proactive steps to reduce changes in construction project costs and durations, thereby improving the overall performance of construction projects.