Identification of Delay Causes in Peruvian Construction Projects: An Expert AHP Approach

Abstract

Delays in civil construction projects lead to increased costs, schedule overruns, and quality concerns worldwide. In Peru, this issue remains underexplored despite its critical implications for infrastructure development. This study aims to: (a) identify the primary causes of delays through a comprehensive literature review; (b) contextualize these causes within the Peruvian construction sector; and (c) prioritize them based on expert judgment using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). A panel of 15 experienced professionals participated in semi-structured interviews to assess and compare 14 delay factors. The results indicate that technical documentation deficiencies, poor project planning, and inaccurate cost estimates are the most critical contributors to delays. The study provides a ranked framework for addressing these issues and offers practical recommendations to improve planning, coordination, and risk mitigation in future projects.