EFFECTS OF CONSTRUCTION COMMUNICATION BARRIERS ON PROJECT OBJECTIVES IN ABUJANIGERIA

Abstract

The construction industry is wholly reliant upon effective communication between individuals, teams and organizations. However, in a project-based industry, interaction tends to be characterized by unfamiliar groups of people coming together for short periods before disbanding to work on other endeavours. Communication within project-based environments presents special challenges. Hence, this study assessed the effects of construction communication barriers on project objectives in Abuja-Nigeria through the self-administration of 155 questionnaires to construction firms identified. In addition to this, 15 active sites were unobstructively observed. Results showed that out of 10 variables measured, 5 had high effect on time, while for cost and safety, 1 variable each had high effect on them. Drawings (architectural, services and structural) were the most effective and most often used on the sites observed. Accuracy had very high effect on project objectives in the sense that if inaccurate information was given, it caused project delay (time), caused rework (cost) and also had effect on safety. Information accuracy should always be emphasized on since it has high effect on the project objectives.