Factors Causing Variation Orders in Construction Projects in Gaza Strip (Case Study: Qatar Projects)

Variation orders (VO) have long been an inherent part of the construction industry around the world and especially in Gaza Strip where construction projects suffers from variation orders. The aim of this research is to improve the control on variation order through identifying the root cause factors, and to propose recommendations to prevent or minimize VO as much as possible. To achieve the objectives, a survey was conducted on Qatar projects in the Gaza Strip. 75 questionnaires were distributed to owners, consultants and contractors involved in Qatar projects. A total of 62 completed questionnaires were collected and analyzed with statistical software package SPSS and Average Index formula. The study revealed the key factors as causes effects and the resulting VO effects. This includes; change of schedule by owner, the long waiting time to get approval on drawings, design complexity and difficulty to understand, lack of contractor's involvement in design, delays in securing site, equipment or materials scarce, and site safety considerations. It is recommended that owners should determine the project schedule by experts or consultants. In addition, consultants are recommended to provide more details of the drawings to make it easy for interpretation.