Construction project delays generate cascading effects on schedule reliability, cost control, resource utilisation and quality, while delayed recognition of emerging problems can reduce the opportunity for corrective intervention. This study examined the factors associated with delay detection and their relationship with project performance in public building construction projects in Plateau State, Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among construction professionals involved in public building projects. Of 271 questionnaires administered, 245 valid responses were obtained (90.41%). Five factor groups were assessed: planning and management factors (PMF), financial and client-related factors (FCF), contractor and labour factors (CLF), material and equipment factors (MEF), and design and external factors (DEF). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple regression were used. All five categories recorded moderate aggregate influence, with PMF highest (3.02). Perceived adverse effects of delays were highest for time performance (4.27), followed by cost (4.20), resource utilisation (4.11) and quality (4.01). DEF had a strong positive association with delay outcomes (r = 0.748, p < 0.01). The regression model was significant and explained 57.6% of project-performance variance (R² = 0.576; adjusted R² = 0.567; F = 64.995, p < 0.001). DEF was significant (β = 0.754, p < 0.001), as was FCF (β = −0.167, p = 0.005), whereas PMF, CLF and MEF were not individually significant at the 5% level. The study demonstrates that delay management should move beyond identifying causes towards timely detection, information flow and corrective response, with implications for resource efficiency and sustainable project delivery.
Keywords: Construction delays, Early Warning, Project Performance, Resource utilization, Sustainability, public buildings
