The reasons of costs deviation in the Iraqi construction projects- field assessment

The cost deviation is a big dilemma that accompanies with construction project. The study aims to identify the causes of cost deviation in Iraqi projects environment. To achieve this goal, the researcher has been conducting the following procedures, first: go through with open interviews with experts to identify the reasons which have a negative impact on the cost of construction project, and secondly: perform a field study on eight construction projects. Five of these projects were completed on budget or under budget, while the others completed over budget. By agreed of the experts and the parties of the eight projects, the researcher found the most important reasons leading to the cost deviation of the Iraqi construction projects, and we will mention some of them: Inability of company to meet project requirements, Inadequate planning, Inaccurate estimation of the cost, Delayed cash flows by owners, Inefficient executive manager of project, Lack of control to the time of the project or predict the date of its end, The negative impact of the population in the project area, Multiple sources of the decision and the overlap of powers, Poor performance of the contractor. And finally, the researcher offers a set of recommendations to overcome these problems.