New success factors for construction projects: a systematic review of post-2004 literature
ISSN: 1471-4175
Article publication date: 14 October 2021
Issue publication date: 28 November 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to elicit the success factors from empirical evidence, as construction industry requires an improved understanding of factors for managing projects to positive outcomes. Increased stakeholder involvement, including the new technologies, achieving sustainability and safeguarding health and safety, whilst at the same time facing uncertainties, it is crucial to examine whether there are new factors that drive construction projects to succeed, especially from a value-driven perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a systematic review approach, this research reviewed 172 studies published after 2004. When compared to a comprehensive project success factor framework presented by Chan et al. in 2004, 19 factors are considered new since 2004.
Findings
Though several scholarly outputs highlighted significant improvements to project operations and innovations in equipment and techniques, there has not been a comprehensive oversight since Chan’s et al. (2004) conceptual framework. This paper investigates 16 years of industry changes and identified two new success factors categories (innovation and sustainability) and 19 new factors that add to Chan’s et al. (2004) study. Consequently, a new framework of factors affecting project success was developed.
Originality/value
This paper was very specific in its attempt to find the new and additional success factors for managing construction projects. A new conceptual framework, which includes the newly identified factors, was then developed that will create a greater awareness of stakeholders’ concerns and ultimately contribute to significant improvement in developing project objectives and defining success measures.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand, for funding this study as part of a New Zealand Aid Programme (NZAID) scholarship.
Data availability statement.
The data generated during the study are available upon request from the corresponding author.
Citation
Charles, S.H., Chang-Richards, A. and Yiu, (K).T.W. (2022), "New success factors for construction projects: a systematic review of post-2004 literature", Construction Innovation, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 891-914. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-02-2021-0030
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited