Critical success factors affecting project success in construction projects: A contemporary Indian perspective

Abstract

The government of India has increased its focus on investment in infrastructure, allocating US$ 130.57 billion in 2022-23 for the sector. Effective project management is crucial for success. However, despite a huge body of knowledge on project success, project delays persist, with 33% of projects delayed by an average of 47 months as of August 2021. This study aims to identify Critical Success Factors for contemporary construction projects in India, offering guidance for project stakeholders. Forty-five attributes of project success were collated from literature and expert discussions and a questionnaire survey was conducted to solicit the views of experts on the critical impact of these attributes on overall project success. The research posits that these attributes have underlying constructs that cause them. Factor analysis was employed to extract the underlying constructs. Six critical success factors (CSF) were extracted. To comprehend the relative importance of the factors, RII was employed on summated factor scores that were then ranked in order of their importance. ANOVA showed consistent assessments of the CSFs across professional roles and geographies. The findings are expected to aid project professionals in prioritizing key factors for optimal project management and successful outcomes.