Delays in construction projects remain a critical challenge in project management, often resulting in schedule deviations, cost overruns, and reduced project quality. This study investigates the primary risk factors contributing to delays in a high-rise educational building project (XYZ School) in Indonesia. Adopting a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through structured interviews and questionnaires with ten experienced construction professionals. The analysis utilized the Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram to trace causal pathways and a probability–impact matrix to assess the severity and likelihood of each identified risk. Findings reveal that financial instability—particularly due to fluctuations in material prices (e.g., steel rising from IDR 8,800 to IDR 12,000/kg)—and poor cash flow management are the most critical causes of delay. Other significant risks include frequent design revisions, labor fatigue from excessive overtime, and adverse weather conditions. The study concludes with strategic recommendations to mitigate these risks, emphasizing improved financial planning, enhanced design coordination, and proactive contingency scheduling.
Asmi et al. (2025) studied this question.