The role of effective communication in project success: A case study of Ghana Highways Authority

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Date
2021-06-28
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Abstract
Effective communication is the hallmark of every construction project. As the project unfolds and the design is realized, information in the form of drawings, specifications and construction methods must be communicated from one expert to another. Therefore, using an appropriate communication method and communication medium to resolve construction and design problems is essential. In order to fully appreciate communication in the Ghana Highways Authority construction project, the following objectives were articulated for the research: To determine the communication channels used by project experts in Ghana Highways Authority, determine the causes of communication barriers on GHA projects and determine how construction project communication affect the execution of projects of Ghana Highways Authority. The research sampled 86 professionals working with consultants, project clients and contractors with D1K1 classification. The study established that within the Ghanaian construction industry, there is a strong appreciation of the importance of effective project communication and its importance within the industry. Indeed, various levels and channels of communications have been established within the construction industry notably the communication between the clients and consultants or consultants and contractors. In spite of that, there have been many hindrances to effective communication on construction projects in Ghana. These include; selective perception, non-verbal messages, deceptive tactics, late delivery, poor leadership, unclear communication objectives, unclear channels of communication, inefficient reporting system, ineffective communication between the parties on the project, and language difficulties. Finally, the research established that poor communication had resulted in project delays, project cost overrun and project abandonment. Project communications was also shown to affect the performance of professionals within the construction industry strongly
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A thesis submitted to the Department of Building Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Project Management).
Keywords
effective communication, project success, Ghana Highways Authority
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