What causes the most schedule slippage in construction?
Last reviewed July 5, 2026
Design changes and poor communication are the top causes of schedule slippage. Delays from late approvals, unexpected site conditions, and resource shortages also contribute significantly. These issues can snowball, pushing deadlines further back.
Key points
- Design changes lead to delays.
- Poor communication causes misunderstandings.
- Unexpected site conditions create setbacks.
- Resource shortages slow progress.
In construction, any change in design can ripple through the schedule. If a client decides to make changes late in the game, it can throw off the timeline for everyone involved. Likewise, if the site team isn't on the same page, tasks can get delayed, causing a backlog. Keep a close eye on approvals and make sure resources are lined up to avoid these pitfalls.
How Alloovium helps
Alloovium helps by tracking obligations and deadlines, so you can spot potential issues before they cause slippage.
See how it worksRelated questions
- How do I build a 3-week lookahead in construction?
- How do I build a 6-week lookahead programme?
- How do I forecast a construction project's completion date?
- How do I identify schedule risk on a construction project?
- How do I justify an extension of time using the programme?
- How do I link RFIs and variations to programme delays?
General information for Australian construction professionals — not legal advice. Verify jurisdiction-specific requirements with the relevant regulator.