Quantitative Assessment of Factors Affecting Project Delays Using Relative Importance Index (RII) Approach

The study aimed to investigate delays in road maintenance projects, which are primarily driven by three key factors, untimely fund disbursement, delays in preliminary design and equipment breakdowns, supported by five additional contributors, including budget constraints, unforeseen site conditions, poor contractor management, lack of tools, and weak stakeholder coordination. Less influential factors such as bureaucratic processes, labour shortages, and material price fluctuations were also noted. Analysis of five years of performance data collected from 76 respondents (TARURA workers and contractors) revealed an average 20–30% gap between planned and actual project completion, with completion rates ranging from 60% to 85% and average delays of 3–6 months. Overall, the findings highlight systemic inefficiencies and emphasise the need for stronger financial readiness, accurate planning, reliable equipment, and effective management to improve timely project delivery