Construction Stakeholder Management and Public Sector Project Delivery - Perspective of Ghanaian Consultants.

Abstract

Construction stakeholder management is a process of systematic stakeholder identification, engagement, analysis, planning actions and communications, aimed at influencing stakeholders position on a project. This is essential for enhanced project delivery. Many good projects have failed due to the absence of effective stakeholder management plan in Ghana including the proposed STX housing project, inland port and many GETFUND projects. This research explored project consultants’ understanding, consideration and management of construction project stakeholders’ expectation. Using a multiple method survey approach, a purposive sampling of quantitative survey of forty consultants working in firms which manage public projects and six interviews were conducted (80% response rate was achieved). Research findings were validated by triangulation of data, research participants and methods. The results showed that Stakeholder Management Plan was completely new to most consultants. Most consultants lacked knowledge and understanding of stakeholder management hence, the non-consideration. It was found that, consultants’ general perspective was that it is a good practice and should be implemented however, the traditional procurement method could be a major challenge.