Construction delays and project profitability: a systematic review

Construction delays are a persistent challenge in the global construction industry, leading to increased project costs, contractual disputes, and reduced profitability. This systematic review explores the causes of construction delays, their financial and contractual implications, and effective mitigation strategies. A comprehensive literature review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, analysing studies from the past 20 years to identify key factors contributing to delays, including poor project, inefficient resource management, labour shortages, financial constraints, and unforeseen environmental conditions. The impact of these delays on project profitability is examined through cost overrun analysis, cash flow disruptions, and productivity losses. Furthermore, the study reviews contemporary mitigation strategies, including risk management frameworks, best contractual practices, digital transformation, and advanced project management techniques such as building information modelling, lean construction, and artificial intelligence-driven predictive analytics. The role of emerging technologies, such as blockchain-based smart contracts and Internet of Things-enabled real-time monitoring systems, is also discussed in enhancing project efficiency and minimising risks. The findings emphasise the need for integrated project management approaches, adaptive legal frameworks, and data-driven decision making to effectively mitigate construction delays. This study provides valuable insights for engineers, project managers, policymakers, and stakeholders seeking to enhance construction project efficiency and financial sustainability.