A type-2 fuzzy set model for contractor prequalification

Abstract

Abstract Prequalification helps decision makers find the right contractor for the job, which is key to the successful delivery of a construction project. The procedure involves judging the suitability, capability and competency of the contractor on various criteria, using both anecdotal and empirical evidence. The evidence used is often imprecise and subjective, and so is the evaluation and decision making procedure. Type-1 fuzzy sets have been used in the prequalification procedure to handle uncertain information. However, type-1 fuzzy sets are unable to reflect the differences in opinion among experts involved in group decision making. The purpose of this paper is to propose a practical prequalification procedure that uses interval type-2 fuzzy sets to address both linguistic imprecision and differences of opinion. A numerical example shows how the proposed procedure is carried out and the benefits that result compared to a similar procedure using type-1 fuzzy sets.