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Journal of Construction Engineering, Technology & Management Original Research

An Empirical Analysis of Cost, Time, and Quality Relationships Using Correlation and Regression Techniques

  1. Veda Venkatesan Department of Construction Engineering, Coimbatore, Institute of Technology
  2. Prabakaran R Department of Mathematics, Coimbatore, Institute of Technology

Abstract

Cost, time, and quality have been recognized as the three key dimensions that determine construction project performance and are commonly represented through the "Project Management Triangle." However, despite their theoretical linkage, there is limited empirical evidence to quantify the nature of their relationships, particularly within developing construction markets. This paper seeks to contribute to addressing this shortfall by investigating the specific influence of cost and schedule variations upon quality outcomes through correlation analysis and multiple regression modeling. Data were gathered from 30 recently completed residential and commercial projects that varied in size, contractor capability, and procurement method. Key indicators included cost overrun percentage, time overrun percentage, and a composite quality score based on defect density, rework levels, and inspection success rates.The results indicated that the majority of projects had significant cost and time deviations, which implies that planning and coordination of resources remain problematic. The Pearson correlation indicated that the positive correlation of cost and time overruns was high, while both were also significantly negatively correlated with quality scores. Regression results further revealed that more than half of the variation in quality is explained by cost and time overruns, of which time overrun is the better predictor. Overall, the study shows that there is an interrelationship among factors of project performance and points toward the need for early risk control and strong quality management systems.

Keywords

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