RANKING OF FACTORS AFFECTING DELAY IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Delays in construction projects adversely impact schedules, budgets, and quality, posing significant challenges to the industry. Identifying and prioritizing delay factors is essential for effective mitigation strategies. This study applies the *nalytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to systematically rank delay factors by evaluating their relative importance through pairwise comparisons and expert input. A hierarchical framework categorizes delay factors into financial, technical, managerial, and environmental dimensions. Pairwise comparison matrices, based on the Saaty scale, quantify the significance of each factor, with consistency checks ensuring reliable results (CR < 0.10). Findings indicate that financial constraints, such as payment delays and budget overruns, are the most critical contributors to delays, followed by labor shortages, design changes, and environmental conditions.The study highlights AHP as a robust decision-support tool for construction project management, enabling stakeholders to prioritize interventions effectively. This systematic approach provides practical recommendations to mitigate delays and enhance project performance.