Quantification of the Magnitude of Cost and Time Impacts of Variations on Building Construction Projects in Uganda

Abstract

It is generally acknowledged that the two primary criteria for judging the success of a construction project is whether it is completed within the budgeted cost and the estimated completion time. However, due to numerous factors, this is a great challenge and almost an impossible task to achieve as evidenced from various literature mainly as result of variations. A variation is any kind of deviation from an agreed upon, well defined scope or schedule of works. Changes in a project are formally necessitated by a variation/change order which modifies the agreed contractual agreement and becomes part of the project documents. To manage a variation means being able to anticipate its effects and to control or at least monitor the associated cost and schedule impacts. This research aims to determine the magnitude of the cost and time impacts of variations on building construction projects. The findings of the research show that variations had a significant impact on project cost and time accounting for 24.59%and 37.90% of project cost and time overruns and accounted for, 21.27% of cost overruns and 58.08% of time overruns. These findings can potentially direct the cost estimators and building project program planners to make the necessary adjustments and considerations for the project.