Forensic delay and disruption analysis refers to the process of investigation that determines the causes and extent of delays in order to resolve disputes related to construction projects. It revolves around identification of the activities or events causing delays to the critical path and quantifying the delay caused by each event.
The analysis requires the help of experts trained in Critical Path Method (CPM) Scheduling methods. These experts are appointed by parties involved in a disputed project who come to an agreement regarding the causes of delay. In this article, we have explained how an expert performs a detailed forensic delay and disruption analysis.
How is a Forensic Delay and Disruption Analysis Performed?
A forensic delay and disruption analysis can be conducted prior to the commencement of the project as a form of risk assessment. Alternatively, it could be done during or after completion of the project to identify the causes as well as the amount of delay.
To perform a forensic delay and disruption analysis, it is essential to enlist the help of an expert. The expert performs the analysis by evaluating the planned and actual results, the type of critical delay incurred, and activities leading to the delay.
The delay analysis is all about finding details – how the actual project progressed, what activities or events had an impact on the time taken for completion, etc. And to figure this out, the expert needs to move beyond taking the project schedule at face value and evaluating its activities.
They have to go through all of the contemporary records related to the project in order to identify the actual causes and effects of the delay events affecting the critical path of the project.
However, not all projects may have the complete set of records that is needed by the expert. In such cases, the experience of the expert allows them to work out a satisfactory analysis using incomplete or inaccurate data.
Forensic Delay Analysis Methodologies
There is no standard method in forensic delay analysis that can be followed for every situation. Before deciding on the most suitable method, an expert needs to consider several aspects. These include:
- Type of required analysis- retrospective or prospective
- Requirements of the contract
- Dispute value
- Available time
- Availability of records and program information
On the basis of the above aspects, the expert identifies the most suitable methodology for analysis. In case there are experts appointed separately by both the parties involved in the dispute, the experts need to unanimously decide on a methodology to maintain ease of interpretation and comparison.
Some of the most common methods used in forensic delay and disruption analysis are as follows.
- Impacted As-Planned Analysis
- Time Impact Analysis
- As-Planned vs As-Built
- Windows Analysis
- Collapsed As-Built Analysis
Conclusion
To conclude, forensic delay and disruption analysis is a means of negotiating a fair result in case of a dispute related to delays in construction projects. A delay analysis expert needs to go through all the relevant records and identify the most suitable methodology to ensure that they don’t end up with an erroneous conclusion.