Assessment of Critical Success Factors for Road Construction Projects in Ethiopia

Abstract

Road construction projects are means through which development objectives are achieved. Various efforts to develop the road have been made to ensure projects' success. There are still remain problems of delay and cost overrun of all road construction projects in Ethiopia. To improve performance and productivity within, it is very essential to investigate critical areas in road construction projects. The data I collected showed that what are taken as success criteria by road project organizations are not sufficient. They lack consideration of other important criteria such as satisfaction of user, project team, contractor, client organization and donor organizations; learning and motivation for future projects; health, safety and environment. I also found out that there are problems in road construction management practice, road construction technology, road construction resource, and practitioners’ ethics. There is demand to develop capacity of the road construction industry in these areas. The practitioners also identified critical success factors which they believe are important but are not fully practiced by majority of actors involved in the road construction projects. These activities are: Assessment and adaptation of new technology, Assessment of the market that related to the project e.g. manpower, material supply, facilities  ,Involvement of local society in road construction projects, Management of stakeholders, Clear communication of top management focus, Bench marking & experience transfer, Competent PM with appropriate educational background & experience.