An Analysis of the Influences Contributing to Project Delays, Design Modifications, and Rework in Interdisciplinary Infrastructure Development in South Africa

Delays, reworks, and repeated revisions continue to hinder progress in South Africa’s construction industry, despite ongoing efforts to improve project delivery. This study set out to explore the root causes of these recurring issues by reviewing existing literature and surveying 43 professionals working within the sector. By analyzing the collected data through stepwise multiple regression, t-tests, and the relative importance index, the research identified change-related and approval-related challenges as the most significant contributors to these setbacks. The findings also point to deeper systemic issues, including weak change management practices, inadequate design coordination tools, limited technological integration, and unclear project scopes—all of which are closely tied to the inefficiencies still troubling the industry.