Analyzing the Performance of Mega Construction Projects in Oman: A Study of Selected Projects from Oil & Gas Sector

This study investigates Omani O&G project’s performance and analyzes the most common time and cost overrun causes. In addition, the effects of delays are examined further along with the key enablers for efficient project delivery. This study adopts a mix method of research to improve the level of credibility of the study. A sample of 160 respondents is employed following both quantitative and qualitative method where a well-structured questionnaire was used for interviews with the concerned personnel. Following the quantitative method, this study revealed that 8% of the respondents, says the projects have completed ON time where the response rate was 80%. Besides, the qualitative part backed up this data as most of them have experienced delay of 3 months to 2 years of delay. For cost, 3% of the respondents have experienced projects finishing ON budget and the interviewees have expressed that the average cost overrun is between 10%-30%. In terms of time overrun group factors, the top group time-overrun factors among all the three parties are management factors, where it is ranked first by all stakeholders. The sub-group factor that affects more is the project planning and control. Poor understanding of scope of work during tendering factor is ranked first with main contractor and second with both the client and engineering firms. This factor is most factors that has similar ranking between all. As matter of fact is the only factor that exists between in the top 10 among all stakeholders. This study claimed that understanding the scope of work of the project properly and giving its time to be grasped by the contractors is one of the key solutions to tackle the top factor of this research. Also, the SOW must be detailed as possible to avoid any conflict between the parties, one of the recommended details to have WBS included.