IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES ON PROJECT PERFORMANCE IN GOMBE METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

The Nigerian construction industry is vital for economic growth but frequently suffers from cost overruns, delays, and quality issues. This study evaluates the impact of construction management techniques on project performance in Gombe Metropolis, Nigeria. A quantitative descriptive survey design was employed, collecting data from 232 built-environment professionals (engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, and builders) using structured questionnaires. The findings reveal a heavy reliance on traditional techniques, with Bar Charts (Gantt Charts) and the Critical Path Method (CPM) being the most prevalent (means: 4.17 and 4.04, respectively). Modern integrated approaches like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Just-In-Time (JIT) are utilized only at moderate levels (means: 2.59 and 3.15). Project performance across cost, time, quality, and safety indicators was consistently moderate, with cost performance showing the highest variability (Mean = 3.33, SD = 0.92). Regression analysis established a statistically significant positive relationship between management techniques and project performance (F = 24.418, p < .001), with these techniques accounting for approximately 33% of the variance (R² = 0.330) in performance outcomes. The study concludes that while traditional methods enable baseline coordination, they are inadequate for optimized project delivery. It recommends that firms and regulatory bodies accelerate the adoption of BIM and Lean Construction through capacity building and that stakeholders adopt a holistic risk-management framework to address the external variables influencing the remaining 67% of performance variance.