Impact of Consultants’ Involvement on Construction Projects’ Outcomes

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of consultants in construction projects. The specific objectives were to determine the roles of consultants and their impact on construction project outcomes. Design/Methodology/Approach: Survey research design was used for this study. Construction professionals were purposely selected using a questionnaire as a research instrument. A total of 100 questionnaires were administered to the respondents, but 91 questionnaires were retrieved and used for the study. Frequency, percentage, mean score and ranking were used to analyse the data. Findings: The study identified up to 15 significant consultant roles in construction projects and established their impact on project outcomes. Practical Implication: Consultants play several roles; the topmost are planning, designing, and overseeing/supervising construction projects. It implies that there could be disruptions to the construction workflow and many negative outcomes when consultants are not fully engaged early. Social Implications: Construction stakeholders (clients and contractors) need to be educated about the significant role consultants play in construction projects. This can be achieved by raising awareness and sensitising stakeholders (clients and contractors) to the implications of involving consultants in project construction. Originality / Value: This study contributes to enhancing construction project outcomes through operations consultants.