Applied Systems Analysis for Analysing Challenges in Construction Projects: A Methodological Approach

Abstract

Construction projects constitute a complex set of activities and engagement of stakeholders. The activities and stakeholders are interlinked often in a non-linear way. Therefore, it becomes difficult to comprehend and analyse the challenges of construction projects adequately and evolve apposite policy or strategic interventions to meet these challenges. Applied Systems Analysis (ASA) is argued to be one of the methods by which the construction related challenges can be comprehended and analysed. Therefore, the objective of the paper is to provide a methodological approach of how ASA and System Dynamics modelling approach can be employed to examine the challenges in construction projects, and understand the mechanisms that cause construction challenges based on the non-linear causal feedback relationships, and to evolve policy interventions to meet the challenges in construction projects. The study was relied on literature review and case studies on how ASA has been applied on various aspects of construction projects. The paper is expected to contribute to the methodological approaches to analyse the challenges in construction projects and also assist the project and construction mangers in practice to comprehend the challenges and take remedial actions.