ATRASOS EM SERVIÇOS DE ENGENHARIA E OBRAS PÚBLICAS: AVALIAÇÃO DE PRINCIPAIS CAUSAS E SEUS IMPACTOS

The delay of public works is a common problem in Brazil, negatively affecting the development and quality of life of local communities, as well as resulting in additional costs to the project, population dissatisfaction, and negative impacts on the economy and societal well-being. It is understood to be a complex and multifaceted issue, with delays influenced by various factors. The general objective of this study is to analyze the main factors contributing to delays in public works in Brazil, identifying the most severe and frequent causes and their impacts on the construction industry. This study adopted a comprehensive approach, including a literature review on the topic and consultation with professionals in the field, in order to identify and analyze the primary causes of delays in public works. An online questionnaire was applied to technical supervisors, consultants, and project managers with experience in public works. The data were compiled and presented in tables, accompanied by an analysis of the responses. The study revealed the main causes of delays in construction projects and their assessments regarding severity and frequency. The specificities of each sector in classifying the factors causing delays in works were highlighted, as well as the agreement on certain problems in terms of their severity and/or frequency of occurrence. It was evident that the issue of delays in public works deserves the attention of all involved, as the identification of critical factors and the prevention of delay causes will result in fewer losses (and fewer delays) compared to mitigating the problem once it has occurred. Working towards early problem identification and/or mitigating potential causes of delays is crucial, considering the financial, social, and environmental damages resulting from the execution of a public project.