Challenges of front-end loading in construction project delivery

Adopting a good pre-project planning or front-end loading method during the early stage of construction is important to the success of the project. However, most construction projects have failed as a result of poor project planning at their early stage. Based on this knowledge, this study assessed the challenges facing the use of front-end loading. The study adopted a quantitative survey approach and questionnaire was used to harness information on the objective of the study from construction professionals in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data gathered were analysed using statistical tools such as percentage, mean score and standard deviation. Findings revealed that the major challenges affecting the use of front-end loading are inability to identify importance of the process, unreliable information during early project stages, insufficient time to thoroughly carry out the front-end loading process, indecisiveness or lack of knowledge by the client, and lack of structured project team during inception phases of the project. It is therefore recommended that the construction clients be made aware of the importance of front-end loading, while project team members should be introduced to the project from the early stage of the project.