Multi-criteria decision support model for selecting the appropriate construction management firm

Abstract

Construction management (CM) companies serve as representatives for clients, aiding them in overseeing construction projects throughout the project’s entire life cycle. Opting for the right CM firm enhances the likelihood of a successful project completion. Existing research has highlighted a lack of decision support models for CM firms. This study introduces a multi-criteria decision support model employing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for the selection of suitable Construction Management firms. The primary objective of this model is to guide decision-makers in choosing the most suitable CM firm, ensuring that the provider offers the necessary services from project initiation to closure. Additionally, this research seeks to standardize the CM firm selection process based on key criteria, which were identified through a literature review. The significance of these criteria was assessed via a survey distributed to construction professionals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The survey collected feedback by having respondents make pairwise comparisons of the identified criteria. The data, consisting of 52 survey responses, were analysed using Expert Choice software and utilized to construct the AHP-based model. The findings reveal that the most crucial factors for CM firm selection are prior experience in similar projects, financial stability, proficiency in Building Information Modelling (BIM), the qualifications and capabilities of key staff members, ongoing project experience, and expertise in risk management. The study also presents a four-stage framework that decision-makers can follow when selecting the appropriate CM firm, and it includes a case study to illustrate the application of the proposed model.