Authors : Uswege Jacob Mwaipungu; Dr. Kimata Malekela; Dr. Rehema Monko

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4z2dxxyr

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/2yh2wb75

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14737940

Abstract : The focus of this paper is to identify the constraining factors impacting Design-Bid-Build (DBB) project delivery in Tanzania's construction industry. Utilizing a cross-sectional case study design, the study adopts a concurrent mixed-methods approach to combine qualitative and quantitative insights. Four road infrastructure projects in Dar es Salaam were selected as a case study area based on criteria including project scale, recent completion, and funding source. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire survey with 124 valid responses and semi-structured interviews with 22 key stakeholders. The study identified and ranked 35 constraining factors impacting DBB delivery. Results reveal that changes in project requirements by clients at later stages, incomplete designs, Discrepancies Between Design Drawings, Specifications, and BOQ and Payment Delays to Contractors and Consultants are the most significant factors. The findings emphasize that client-related issues and design documentation related factors are the main constraints affecting DBB project delivery. These findings can serve as a basis for policymakers to inform and justify policy decisions. For consultants and contractors, this information can lead to smoother project execution, better management of stakeholder expectations, and a reduction in conflicts.

Keywords : Constraining factors, DBB, Project delivery, Design, Impact, Tanzania.

References :

1. Abdul Aziz, A.-R. (2008). Patterns in strategic joint ventures of selected prominent cross-border contractors for 1999-2003. Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering.
2. AbouDargham, S., Bou Hatoum, M., Tohme, M., & Hamzeh, F. (2019). Implementation of integrated project delivery in Lebanon: Overcoming the challenges. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 27th Annual Conference of the International. Group for Lean Construction, Dublin, Ireland.
3. Agbaxode, P.D.K., Saghatforoush, E. and Dlamini, S. (2020) ‘Integrated Project Delivery (IPD): Projecting a Common Good to Key Participants and the Project’, in Proceedings of the 36th Annual ARCOM Conference, 7-8 September 2020. Association of Researchers in Construction Management, UK: In: Scott, L and Neilson, C J (Eds), pp. 136–145.
4. Agbaxode, P., Dlamini, S., & Saghatforoush, E. (2021). Design documentation quality influential variables in the construction sector. Paper presented at the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.
5. Agbaxode, P.D.K., Dlamini, S. and Saghatforoush, E. (2021b) ‘Quality of Design Documentation in the Construction Industry: A Review Using Meta-Synthesis Approach’, International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, p. 2130003.
6. Akampurira, E., & Windapo, A. (2018). Factors influencing the quality of design documentation on South African civil engineering projects. Journal of the South African institution of civil engineering, 60(3), 41-48.
7. Alofi, A., Kashiwagi, J., Kashiwagi, D., & Sullivan, K. (2016). An Analysis of the Current Procurement System in Saudi Arabia. 52nd ASC Annual International Conference Proceeding, 2011.
8. Anana, W. G. (2021). Ethical Practices and Contract Management in Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (Nigeria). Kampala International University.
9. Arantes, A., & Ferreira, L. M. D. (2020). Underlying causes and mitigation measures of delays in construction projects: An empirical study. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 25(2), 165-181.
10. Assaf, S. A., & Al-Hejji, S. (2006). Causes of delay in large construction projects. International Journal of Project Management, 24(4), 349-357.
11. Baloyi, M. and Agumba, J.N. (2014) ‘Causes of disputes in construction projects in South case of Gauteng province’, in. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa: Proceedings 8th Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Postgraduate …, pp. 179–187.
12. Buamah, S. K. A. (2021). Effects of delays in completion of health facilities for local communities: A case of the Ningo Prampram District.
13. Buertey, J. T., Dadadzogbor, E., & Atsrim, F. (2021). Procurement path influencing factors in Ghana: managing the challenge of cultural shift. International Journal of Construction Management, 21(1), 78-92.
14. Calahorra-Jimenez, M., Alarcón, L. F., Torres-Machi, C., Chamorro, A., & Molenaar, K. (2020). Improving cost performance in design-bid-build road projects by mapping the reasons for cost overruns into the project phases. Revista de la construcción, 19(2), 334-345.
15. Chileshe, N., & John Kikwasi, G. (2014). Critical success factors for implementation of risk assessment and management practices within the Tanzanian construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 21(3), 291-319.
16. CMAA (2012) ‘An owner’s guide to project delivery methods’, CMAA (Construction Management Association of America) McLean, VA [Preprint], (Advancing Professional Construction and Program Management Worldwide).
17. Creswell, J.W. and Creswell, J.D. (2017) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications. 88. Marketing, 77(4), pp. 1–16.
18. Dada, M.O. (2013) ‘Client and Consultant Organisations’ assessment of Design-Bid-Build Procurement Practice In Nigeria’, Journal of Building Performance, 4(1).
19. Dargham, S. A., M. BouHatoum, M. Tohme,and F. Hamzeh. 2019. “Implementation of IntegratedProject Delivery in Lebanon: Overcoming the Challenges.” In: Proc., 27th Conf. of the Intern. Group for Lean Constr., 917-928. Dublin, Ireland: International Group for Lean Construction.
20. Doloi, H., Sawhney, A., & Iyer, K. C. (2012). Structural equation model for investigating factors affecting delay in Indian construction projects. Construction Management and Economics, 30(10), 869-884.
21. Donaldson, L. (2006). The contingency theory of organizational design: challenges and opportunities. Organization Design: The evolving state-of-the-art, 19-40.
22. Dosumu, O., & Aigbavboa, C. (2018). An assessment of the causes, cost effects and solutions to design-errorinduced variations on selected building projects in Nigeria. Acta Structilia, 25(1), 40-70.
23. Dosumu, O., Idoro, G., & Onukwube, H. (2017). Causes of errors in construction contract documents in Southwestern, Nigeria. Journal of Construction Business and Management, 1(2), 11-23.
24. Easterbrook, S., Singer, J., Storey, M. A., & Damian, D. (2008). Selecting empirical methods for software engineering research. Guide to advanced empirical software engineering, 285-311.
25. Evarist, C., Luvara, V. G., & Chileshe, N. (2023). Perception on constraining factors impacting recruitment and selection practices of building contractors in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. International Journal of Construction Management, 23(12), 2012-2023.
26. Gadisa, B., & Zhou, H. (2021). Exploring influential factors leading to the poor performance of public construction project in Ethiopia using structural equation modelling. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 28(6), 1683-1712.
27. Gamil, Y., & Abd Rahman, I. (2023). Studying the relationship between causes and effects of poor communication in construction projects using PLS-SEM approach. Journal of Habibi, M., Kermanshachi, S., & Rouhanizadeh, B. (2019). Identifying and measuring engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) key performance indicators and management strategies. Infrastructures, 4(2), 14.
28. Hanák, T., Drozdová, A., & Marović, I. (2021). Bidding strategy in construction public procurement: A contractor’s perspective. Buildings, 11(2), 47.
29. Heidemann, A. & Gehbauer, F. 2010, “Cooperative Project Delivery in an Environment of Strict Design-Bid-Build Tender Regulations”. In:, Walsh, K. & Alves, T., 18th Annual Conf. of the International Group for Lean Const. Haifa, Israel, pp 581-587.
30. Hinton, M. A., & Hamilton, R. T. (2015). Competitive tendering and individual behaviour in the construction industry: convenient immorality at work. Construction management and economics, 33(11-12), 880-889.
31. Hwang, B.-G., Shan, M., & Lye, J.-M. (2018). Adoption of sustainable construction for small contractors: major barriers and best solutions. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 20, 2223-2237.
32. Ikediashi, D. I., Ogunlana, S. O., & Alotaibi, A. (2014). Analysis of project failure factors for infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia: A multivariate approach. Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, 19(1).
33. Israel, B., Mchopa, A., Mwaiseje, S., & Mashene, A. (2021). Ethical procurement practices and performance of public procuring entities in Tanzania: empirical evidences from Moshi district council. Journal of Co-operative and Business Studies (JCBS), 4(2).
34. Issa, A.I. (2023). Exploring the causes of delay in road construction projects in Tanzania: An interpretive structural modeling approach. Unpublished Master Dissertation, Ardhi University.
35. Jaafar, M., & Radzi, N. M. (2013). Level of satisfaction and issues with procurement systems used in the Malaysian public sector. Australasian Journal of Construction Economics and Building, The, 13(1), 50-65.
36. Jarkas, A. M. (2014). Factors impacting design documents quality of construction projects. International Journal of Design Engineering, 5(4), 323-343.
37. Jarkas, A. M., & Bitar, C. G. (2012). Factors affecting construction labor productivity in Kuwait. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 138(7), 811-820.
38. Julião, M. L. (2018). Guidelines for scope of work in corporate office building design. Universidade de São Paulo.
39. Kalan, D., & Ozbek, M. E. (2020). Development of a construction project bidding decision-making tool. Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction, 25(1), 04019032.
40. Kamar, M. and Anuar, K. (2011) ‘Critical success factors to industrialised building system(IBS) contractor’.
41. Kamaruddeen, A. M., Sung, C. F., & Wahi, W. (2020). A study on factors causing cost overrun of construction projects in Sarawak, Malaysia. Labour (human), 2(7), 13.
42. Kavishe, N., & Chileshe, N. (2017, September). Joint venture housing projects in Dar Es Salaam City: An analysis of challenges and effectiveness. In Proceeding of the 33rd Annual ARCOM Conference (Vol. 4, p. 6).
43. Kavishe, N., Jefferson, I., & Chileshe, N. (2018). An analysis of the delivery challenges influencing public-private partnership in housing projects: The case of Tanzania. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 25(2), 202-240.
44. Kavishe, N., & Chileshe, N. (2018). Identifying project management practices and principles for Public–Private partnerships in housing projects: The case of Tanzania. Sustainability, 10(12), 4609.
45. Kavishe, N. (2018). Risks associated with public private partnership (PPP) housing projects delivery in Tanzania. International Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 7(2), 81-87.
46. Kavishe, N., & Chileshe, N. (2019). Critical success factors in public-private partnerships (PPPs) on affordable housing schemes delivery in Tanzania: A qualitative study. Journal of facilities management, 17(2), 188-207.
47. Kihamba, J. S. (2021). Public procurement reforms in Tanzania: dispersion of corruption and governance. Public Procurement, Corruption and the Crisis of Governance in Africa, 185-204.
48. Kikwasi, G. (2012). Causes and effects of delays and disruptions in construction projects in Tanzania. Paper presented at the Australasian Journal of Construction Economics and Building-Conference Series.
49. Kikwasi, G. J., & Escalante, C. (2018). Role of the construction sector and key bottlenecks to supply response in Tanzania (9292565737).
50. Kortenko, S., Koskela, L., Tzortzopoulos, P., & Haghsheno, S. (2020). Negative effects of design-bid-build procurement on construction projects. Paper presented at the Proc. 28th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC28), Berkeley, California, USA, doi. org/10.24928/2020/0141.
51. Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: Methods and techniques: New Age International.
52. Kyalo, J. K., & Muturi, W. (2015). Factors Affecting Completion of Government Funded Projects, a Survey of Projects in the Ministry of Water and Environment. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 6(8), 177184.
53. Lappalainen, E. et al. (2022) ‘Improving Design Quality by Contractor Involvement: An Empirical Study on Effects’, Buildings, 12(8), p. 1188.
54. Lines, B. C., Kakarapalli, R., & Nguyen, P. H. (2022). Does best value procurement cost more than low-bid? A total project cost perspective. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 18(1), 85-100.
55. Love, P. E., Sing, M. C., Ika, L. A., & Newton, S. (2019). The cost performance of transportation projects: The fallacy of the Planning Fallacy account. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 122, 1-20.
56. Luvara, V. (2020). Development of social capital model for organization performance of building contractors in Tanzania. Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis Ardhi University.
57. Luvara, V. G. M., & Benjamin, M. (2024). Unveiling factors influencing the duration of arbitration practice in the Tanzania construction industry. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation.
58. Maagi, B., & Mwakalobo, A. (2023). Users’ perception regarding the effect of E-Procurement practice on customer satisfaction in public procurement in Tanzania. Open Journal of Business and Management, 11(2), 570-584.
59. Malekela, K. N. (2018). Risk Measures for Controlling Variations on Forecasted Construction Cash Flows of Building Projects. Risk, 5(05).
60. Malekela, K. N., Mohamed, J., Ntiyakunze, S. K., & Mgwatu, M. I. (2017). Risk factors causing variations on forecasted construction cash flows of building projects in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Int. J. Constr. Eng. Manag, 2, 46-55.
61. Malekela. (2019). Development of a model for optimising the variations on the forecasted constructed construction cashflows: a case of building projects in Dar es salaam-Tanzania. Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis  University of Dar es Salaam.
62. Malinda, M. J. K. (2017). Quality of project documentation as a major risk source in infrastructure projects in South Africa. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University.
63. Matto, M. C., Ame, A. M., & Nsimbila, P. M. (2021). Influence of contract management on value for money procurement in Tanzania. International Journal of Procurement Management, 14(6), 724-741.
64. Mchopa, A. D., Changalima, I. A., Sulle, G. R., & Msofe, R. M. (2024). Public procurement trajectories in Tanzania: a review of reforms, practices, and compliance. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 2300498.
65. Mosley, J. C., & Bubshait, A. A. (2021). Investigative study of project procurement methods and project performance indicators in Saudi Arabia. International journal of construction management, 21(8), 845-857.
66. Mushumbusi, M. Z. (2011). Formal and informal practices for affordable urban housing: case study: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Naoum, S., & Egbu, C. (2015). Critical review of procurement method research in construction journals. Procedia Economics and Finance, 21, 6-13.
67. Nawi, M., Lee, A. and Nor, K. (2011) ‘Barriers to implementation of the industrialised building system (IBS) in Malaysia’, The Built & Human Environment Review, 4(1), pp.   22–35.
68. Nguyen, T. P., & Chileshe, N. (2015). Revisiting the construction project failure factors in Vietnam. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 5(4), 398-416.
69. Noor, S. N. A. M., Tobi, S. U. M., & Fathi, M. S. Revolutionizing Quantity Surveyors: Unleashing Competency In Construction 4.0–A Pilot Study In Malaysia. Malaysian Construction Research Journal (MCRJ), 210.
70. Ntiyakunze, S.K. (2011). Conflicts in Building Projects in Tanzania:  Analysis of Causes and Management  Approaches.  Department  of  Real  Estate  and  Construction Management, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
71. Ofori, G. (2012) Contemporary Issues in Construction in Developing Countries. 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN: Spon Press.
72. Ogunsanmi, O. (2013). Effects of procurement related factors on construction project performance in Nigeria. Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management, 6(2), 215-222.
73. Okereke, R. A., Ihekweme, N. M., & Adegboyega, A. A. (2022). Impact of Traditional Procurement System on Construction Project Delivery. Journal Of Project Management Practice (JPMP), 2(2), 23-38.
74. Oladirin, O. T., Olatunji, S. O., & Hamza, B. T. (2013). Effect of selected procurement systems on building project performance in Nigeria. International journal of sustainable construction engineering and technology, 4(1), 48-62.
75. Olanike, O. Y., Baba, M. M., & Ahmad, A. B. (2020). Assessing The Influence of Procurement Systems OnPerformance of Construction Projects in Nigeria. FUW Trends in Science & Technology Journal, 5(3), 796-801.
76. Owiti, J. O. (2022). Effectiveness of Construction Contract Procurement Processes In Public Projects In Kenya: A Survey Of County Government Projects (Doctoral dissertation, JKUAT-SABS).
77. Phoya, S. (2014). Multi-Stakeholders’ Participation in Health and Safety Risk Management in Construction Project in Tanzania (Doctoral dissertation, Ardhi University).
78. Pishdad-Bozorgi P, Garza J. M D L, Austin RB. 2016. Readiness Assessment for Flash Tracking. J Constr Eng Manag. 142(12):06016005.
79. Puri, D., & Tiwari, S. (2014). Evaluating the criteria for contractors’ selection and bid evaluation. International journal of engineering science invention, 3(7), 44-48.
80. Rahmani, F. (2021). Challenges and opportunities in adopting early contractor involvement (ECI): Client’s perception. Architectural engineering and design management, 17(1-2), 67-76.
81. Rahmani, F., Maqsood, T., & Khalfan, M. (2017). An overview of construction procurement methods in Australia. Engineering, construction and architectural management, 24(4), 593-609.
82. Ramabodu, M. S., & Verster, J. J. (2013). Factors that influence cost overruns in South African public sector mega-projects. International Journal of Project Organisation and Management 7, 5(1-2), 48-56.
83. Rashid, K. A., Fauzi, P. N. F. N. M., & Hasan, S. F. (2017). Shariah principles in the procurement of buildings and infrastructure works. Paper presented at the 4th International Conference on Masjid, Zakat and Waqf Management.
84. Reta, A., & Alyew, A. (2022). Determining the effects of awarding lowest bid price system on the construction projects of Ethiopian Southern Nation. Journal of University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 24(1), 253-260.
85. Rowlinson, S., Walker, D.H.T. and Cheung, F.Y.K. (2008), “Culture and its impact upon project procurement”, in Walker, D.H.T. and Rowlinson, S. (Eds), Procurement Systems: A Cross Industry Project Management Perspective, Taylor and Francis, New York, NY
86. Rwakarehe, E. E., & Mfinanga, D. A. (2014). Effect of inadequate design on cost and time overrun of road construction projects in Tanzania. Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management, 4(1), 15-28.
87. Saunders, M. N., & Townsend, K. (2018). Choosing participants. Sage handbook of qualitative business and management research methods, 480-494.
88. Ugwu, O. O., & Haupt, T. C. (2007). Key performance indicators and assessment methods for infrastructure sustainability—a South African construction industry perspective. Building and environment, 42(2), 665-680.
89. Valerian, W. (2014). Project procurement method and its relationship with disputes occurrence in tanzania construction industry. A Case of Construction Stakeholders in Dar es Salaam. Mzumbe University.
90. Zuber, S. Z. S., Nawi, N. M., & Nifa, F. A. A. (2019). Construction procurement practice: A review study of integrated project delivery (IPD) in the Malaysian construction projects. International Journal of Supply Chain Management, 8(1), 777-783.