Addressing the Causes and Effects of Poor Communication in the Jordanian Construction Industry: A Study on Improving Project Performance

Abstract The construction sector in Jordan faces various obstacles, one of the most significant being poor communication, which negatively impacts project performance and can even lead to project failure. The primary objective of this study is to identify and evaluate the causes and effects of poor communication in Jordan. A questionnaire containing 32 causes and 21 effects of poor communication was used to gather data. The top ten causes of poor communication are; possessing different levels of education among construction teams; a lack of communication plan; a lack of an appropriate communications medium; a lack of communication procedures and training; a slow flow of information between parties; diversity of culture among construction teams; construction teams possessing different skill levels; contractual barriers; the unavailability of information at the time of need, and a lack of understanding among parties. Poor communication is a prevalent issue in the Jordanian construction industry, Jordan's construction industry needs to improve its current communication state. Both contractors and consultants are affected by this issue and there is a high level of agreement between them on the causes and effects of poor communication.