IMPACT OF PROJECT SCOPE CHANGE ON PROJECT PERFORMANCE IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

This study examined the impact of project scope change on project performance in construction industry. To achieve the aim of this study the following objectives were achieved: to identify the factors causing construction project scope change in Nigerian Construction industry; to evaluate the impact of project scope change on project performance in Nigerian Construction industry. The study adopted the survey and case study research design. It employed the use of distribution of questionnaire and made use of Mean Item score (MIS) for the analysis of gathered data. The findings the study revealed that the factors affecting construction project performance are: inconsistencies in government policy, poor finance, poor timing, organization/management incompetence, interference in project developments, unpredicted weather condition, construction materials and consultant problem. Also, the findings showed that impact of project scope change on project performance in Nigerian Construction industry includes: cost overruns, project abandonment, quality reduction, site dispute, excessive time, site dispute, health and safety to the contractor and professional relationship between parties to the contractor. From the findings conclusion and recommendations were made that the contractors generally should ensure effective application of their professional skill (time management, error reporting risk management etc) in carrying out their job performance during construction process. It was also recommended that the project contractors should employ a professional quantity survey during construction project in order to give accurate estimate required for the construction of the project in order to eliminate cost overrun which may result to project abandonment during construction process of a project