BUDGETARY CONTROL TECHNIQUES ADOPTED BY CONSTRUCTION FIRMS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA: AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT

Abstract

This study investigated the budgetary control techniques adopted by construction firms in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with structured 5-point Likert questionnaires distributed to 250 built-environment professionals, including Quantity Surveyors, Civil Engineers, Project Managers, Construction Managers, and Architects. A total of 237 valid responses were retrieved, yielding a 94.8% response rate. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, and rankings). Findings revealed a moderate overall adoption of budgetary control techniques (M = 3.41, SD = 1.05). Firms relied heavily on conventional methods, led by Traditional/Incremental Budgeting (M = 4.21), Cash Flow Forecasting (M = 4.08), and Cost and Schedule Variance Analysis (M = 3.86). Intermediate techniques such as Value Engineering (M = 3.42) and Earned Value Management (M = 3.15) recorded moderate usage. Conversely, modern, technology-driven tools like Computer-Aided Cost Tracking (M = 2.84) and Zero-Based Budgeting (M = 2.45) yielded the lowest scores, indicating low-to-moderate uptake. The study provides empirical evidence of a significant adoption gap between traditional and modern budgetary control techniques. It highlights the critical need for construction firms to transition from conventional manual practices to automated, technology-driven financial management systems to enhance cost predictability and project delivery efficiency in an increasingly volatile economic environment.