Evaluation of Causative Factors in
Rivers State, Nigeria
FEATURED PAPER
By Iheanyi Ogugua Nzemechi II, Kelvin Aku Okorocha I, and
Ibeawuchi Ifeanyi Echeme I
IManager, Cold Assets, Guinness Nigeria Plc.
IIDepartment of Project Management Technology,
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
Imo State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The study evaluates the causative factors for building projects schedule overrun in Rivers State. Understanding the causes, effects and mitigation strategies for schedule overruns is critical for project managers aiming to deliver projects on time and within budget. Thus, the purpose of this present study is proffer strategic approaches to mitigating the risk and impact of schedule overruns, throughput the project lifecycle. With questionnaire, a sample of 127 individuals comprising of Architects; Civil engineering consultant; Project managers and Project developers/owners resident in Port Harcourt city, Oyingbo, Ikwerre and Elele Local Government Areas of Rivers State; were analyzed using the Pearson’s correlation and One Sample t-test statistics at p < 0.05; the result showed that resource efficiency (ɑ = 14.379), inadequate risk management (ɑ = 8.937); Scope creep (ɑ = 8.924) and poor planning and estimation (ɑ = 7.104) are significant factors that strongly cause schedule overruns in the delivery of building project. The study found that these factors affect the process of constructing a building structure; across its stages and requires the involvement of building experts in order to moderate their negative impact. The study concludes that proper resources planning; duration estimation and schedule development and control are very important for ensuring efficient time management in building project delivery in Rivers State. The researcher recommends that clear requirements definition, stakeholder engagement, robust change control processes, realistic planning, and leveraging technology are very crucial in addressing the challenge of scope creep and ensuring successful project completion on time and within budget.
Keywords: Building projects, Schedule overrun, project delivery, resource efficiency. Risk management, Rivers State.
1.0 Introduction
Building projects are pivotal to urban development infrastructure growth, and economic progress. These projects range from residential homes to large commercial complexes, industrial facilities and essential public infrastructure. As posited by Schwalbe (2020), each building project is unique, requiring meticulous planning, skilled labour, financial resources and effective project management to ensure its success.
However, project scheduling is crucial for managing project timelines. Tools such as Gantt charts, critical path method (CPM) and software like Microsoft project or primavera P6 are used to track milestones and deadlines. A schedule overview occurs when a project exceeds its initially planned timeline. It is a widespread issue across industries such as construction, software development, healthcare, and event management that schedule overruns can have far-reaching consequences on cost, resource management, and overall project success. Understanding the causes, effects and mitigation strategies for schedule overruns is critical for project managers aiming to deliver projects on time and within budget.
Most authors have highlighted common causes of schedule overruns which include; poor planning and estimation (Flanagan, 2021) scope creep (Schwalbe, 2020), resource constraints (Lichtenstein & Everliart (2022), inadequate Risk Management (Paul, 2021), unrealistic deadline (Global project management report (2021), communication breakdowns (de Silva & Wickramasinghe, 2021) and External Factors (Huaug 2021).
Schedule overruns are not just about missed deadlines; they can lead to a cascade of negative consequences. Schedule overruns remain a common challenge in project management across various industries…
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How to cite this paper: Nzemechi, I. O., Okorocha, K. A., Echeme, I. I. (2026). Building Project Schedule Overruns: Evaluation of Causative Factors in Rivers State, Nigeria; PM World Journal, Vol. XV, Issue IX, September. Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/pmwj168-Sep2026-Nzemechi-et-al-Building-Project-Schedule-Overruns.pdf
About the Authors
Iheanyi Ogugua Nzemechi
Nigeria
Iheanyi Ogugua Nzemechi is the Manager, Cold assets in the Guinness Nigeria Plc. Iheanyi Nzemechi have over two decades of experience across the telecommunications and fast-moving consumer goods sectors. Between 2002 and 2010, he was involved in various capacities with leading telecommunications organizations in Nigeria: MTN Nigeria, Globacom, and Airtel Nigeria. During this period, Iheanyi contributed significantly to the expansion and distribution of SIMs and Phones in the early days of their operation in Nigeria. He is married with children.
Prof Kelvin Aku Okorocha
Imo State, Nigeria
Professor Kelvin Aku Okorocha is the current Dean, School of Logistics & Innovation Technology (SLIT) of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri Imo State Nigeria. He is a Lecturer in the Department of Project Management Technology. He has published numerous articles in both international and local journals. He has also presented a lot papers in conferences and workshops within and outside Nigeria. Prof Okorocha Kelvin is Fellow of many professional bodies, including; the Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), etc. He is married with children.
Ibeawuchi Ifeanyi Echeme, PhD
Owerri, Nigeria
Associate Professor, Ibeawuchi Ifeanyi Echeme is a lecturer in the department of Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Echeme has a B.Tech, MSc, and PhD in Project Management Technology and has published more than Sixty (60) articles in both international and national reputable journals. Dr. Echeme has published a textbook on Project Time, Cost and Quality Management. He is a Chartered member of Chartered Institute of Project Managers Nigeria (CIPMN), Chartered member, Association of Practicing Project Managers of Nigeria (APPMON), Certified Project Director (CPD) and a member of International Project Management Professionals (IPMP). Dr. Echeme has presented papers in conferences and workshops within and outside Nigeria. He can be contacted through; ibeecheme@yahoo.com
