Industrial plant construction projects scheduling for elimination and mitigation of delay risks

Abstract

Industrial plant construction projects are complex undertakings prone to delays and disputes that have the potential to impact project budgets, completion times and overall efficiency. This thesis analyzes delays through a case study of a thermal power plant project in Turkey, analyzes the events that led to delays and makes recommendations to mitigate and prevent potential risks. A literature review was conducted for the factors that cause delays in industrial plant construction projects and it was tried to determine which problems are concentrated on which issues. The research analyzes 12 construction work packages that have been the subject of disputes between the employer and the contractor. A comprehensive delay analysis enables the identification of the root causes of these disputes and thus illuminates the specific risks associated with industrial plant construction projects and their potential consequences. As a result of the analysis, it was realized that there were many deficiencies in project management. It was found that effective and advanced planning and project control strategies that lead to the goal of completing projects on time and on budget were not implemented in this project. Developing a proactive planning and project control system is essential for the successful management of industrial construction projects Preparing and following a schedule created with software that supports construction project management is essential part for the successful execution of industrial construction projects. Due to the complexity and wide scope of industrial construction projects, the details and specifications of the schedule will need to be well defined. At this point, as a risk mitigating practice for both the employer and the contractor, it is recommended that effective and developed "Project Planning and Reporting Procedures" are prepared and implemented from the tender phase of the project. These procedures, which will be annexed to the contract, contain information and methods that will eliminate disputes and risks in projects. Implementation of this project planning and project control management strategy will avoid potential risks. This thesis presents a project management strategy recommendation to mitigate these challenges with data from the literature review and case study analysis. These recommendations highlight key areas that are critical for successful project execution. With the implementation of these procedures, effective risk management will be achieved. It will help to reduce and avoid risks that may cause delays such as changes, additional work, late design document submitted, poor communication and coordination, etc. There is always a risk of delay in industrial plant construction projects with high complexity, large scale, high technical details and many stakeholders. Analysis is needed to determine the reasons for delays and the responsibilities of the parties. In order to make this analysis correctly, effective planning and project control management should be implemented during project execution and monitoring periods. The research findings support the hypothesis that effective planning and project control practices can reduce schedule delays. The study provides practical recommendations for the implementation of effective and improved scheduling and project control strategies to enhance project success. The aim of these insights is to improve project management practices in industrial plant construction, thereby achieving superior project outcomes. The thesis combines findings from the literature review with findings from the case study analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of schedule delays in industrial plant construction projects and presents project planning and control management as an effective strategy to overcome these challenges.