Journal Article

Assessing the Performance of Consultants in Public Projects in Southern Region of Ethiopia: A Case Study in Wolaita Zone

Fikremariam Girma, Sahile, Fiseha, Assefa, Filian

2025

Overview

In the construction industry, consultants play a vital role in ensuring smooth project implementation and progress. However, consultancy performance often falls short of expectations, leading to delays. This study assesses the performance of construction consultants in the Wolaita Zone. Objectives include evaluating their roles in public projects, identifying factors affecting performance, and exploring best practices for improvement. A descriptive survey design was used, employing questionnaires and interviews, with respondents selected through simple random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ranked by relative importance index. Many public projects in the Wolaita Zone perform poorly due to project-specific causes. Weaknesses include progress reporting, financial forecasting, problem-solving, design alternatives, cost estimation, tender documentation, contract administration, and site staff management. Factors such as decision-making ability, teamwork, project type and duration, planning, scheduling, and team relations also influence outcomes. Further challenges include fluctuating client needs, change orders, weak monitoring, lack of feedback, poor contract administration, limited training, and consultant incompetence. The study found that management, project, cost, and client satisfaction factors most significantly affect consultant performance. Based on the findings, appropriate solutions are recommended.

• Publisher: iManager Publications
• Subject: Best practice / Case studies / Construction industry / Consultants / Contract administration / Contractors / Environmental impact / Project management / Random sampling / Research design / Roles / Success