Construction project delays pose a persistent and significant challenge in the Madinah construction industry, negatively affecting project performance and organizational success. While traditional research has identified numerous delay factors and their general effects, the complex interrelationships between these factors and their direct and indirect influences on project outcomes remain poorly understood. This study aims to address this critical gap by developing a comprehensive model that captures the intricate interplay between delay factors and their impact on schedule, cost, and quality performance in Madinah’s construction projects.  

By employing a mixed-methods approach, this research utilizes structural equation modeling (SEM)-path analysis and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to provide a nuanced understanding of how various delay factors—categorized as organizational process management, resource management capability, stakeholder relationship management, and financial management—interact to influence project outcomes. A simulation is conducted to demonstrate the application of this methodology and to provide a plausible interpretation of potential findings. The simulated results indicate that a well-fitting model can successfully validate a set of direct and mediating hypotheses, revealing that factors such as resource management capability exert significant indirect effects on project performance through mediating variables, such as organizational process management. The findings from this conceptual application inform targeted delay mitigation strategies, support strategic decision-making, and provide a framework for prioritizing interventions. This study makes significant theoretical contributions by advancing an integrated modeling approach and generating context-specific knowledge, while its practical implications are particularly relevant to achieving the infrastructure development goals outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.