Forensic delay analysis of a Revamp Power Transmission Project: A case study

Project delays are a common feature in the construction of industrial projects. Timely completion of these projects is significantly important for both clients and contractors, though for different reasons. Any delays beyond the stipulated project completion time usually result in substantial commercial losses and often cause litigation among project participants. Therefore, it is critical to understand and analyse major delay events in industrial projects using a method that may have legal acceptance in case of delayed claims and court proceedings. This paper presents a case study of a large-scale power transmission project involving the revamp of 36 substations across eight regions in Saudi Arabia. A forensic delay analysis was performed using a window analysis technique to identify the major causes of delays in the project. The analysis was conducted using a critical path method (CPM)-based simulation model under an Observational Dynamic Logic Contemporaneous framework. The study identified 11 major delay events contributing to delays and work prolongation for 581 calendar days from the baseline mechanical completion of the project. Key findings reveal that the primary contributors to project delays included land and work permit issues, delayed approvals of technical documents, change orders, and procurement challenges. This study draws on a real-world project and actual project data, comparing the contractual baseline schedule with as-built progress to analyse and present research findings. The results offer valuable insights for both academia and industry, enhancing the understanding of delays caused in industrial projects within the context of Saudi Arabia.