The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the critical success factors and the critical delays in the context of water infrastructure construction projects (WICPs) in the Abu Dhabi Emirate. In addition, the purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual model to investigate the potential relationship. The literature concerning the critical success and delay factors and the related models that are available provide a starting point for developing the conceptual model. Based on the comprehensive and thorough literature review, all the dimensions of the variables are identified and discussed in detail.

This study attempts to reduce the existing gap in the literature regarding the relationship between the critical success factors and critical delay. It forms a foundation upon which further local research can be conducted. In addition, it attempts to identify and point out the most critical success factors that will minimize the delay claims in water infrastructure construction projects (WICPs), as such delays would lead to some of the most difficult and controversial disputes to resolve. Internationally, it is expected that the findings of this research may help as an evidentiary reference data on which other and further similar comparative researches could be initiated and developed in different environments in terms of cultural, social, contractual, political, and environmental mediums.

Finally, the conceptual framework was developed by identifying six (6) variables for project critical success namely Project Management Process (PMP), Project Manager Competency (PMC), Project Team Members’ Competency (PTC), Project Organizational Planning (POP), Project Resources’ Utilization (PRU) and Project Organizational Commitment (POC).