Project Delivery System Research Articles

A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model for Selecting the Best Project Delivery Systems for Offsite Construction Projects

Off-site construction (OSC) is an innovative construction method that transfers most of the site-based work to a more controlled environment. Construction waste minimization, speedy schedules, higher sustainability, and better quality are some of the perceived benefits of OSC. Therefore, significant research attention has been given to OSC. However, minimal research attention has been given to procurement management in OSC, which could impact its pace of adoption. Existing studies on the procurement methods of OSC projects have overlooked several criteria related to OSC that impact the selection of the appropriate procurement methods (i.e., design-build, construction management, etc.). In addition, the literature lacks decision-making tools to assist OSC practitioners in selecting the appropriate procurement method. In this regard, this study contributes to the body of knowledge by (1) identifying the criteria that impact the selection of OSC procurement methods; (2) developing a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model to select the appropriate OSC procurement methods. The developed MCDM model uses a hybrid approach of analytic network process (ANP) and evidential reasoning (ER). The ANP, which considers the interdependencies among the collected OSC procurement criteria, is used to calculate the relative importance weights through questionnaire surveys. The ER method evaluates various OSC procurement methods in accordance with the criteria importance weights. The results indicate that project quality, cost control, and funding arrangement are the prominent selection factors. On the other hand, the model reveals that the integrated project delivery (IPD) and construction management (CM) methods have the highest utility scores. The MCDM model has been validated by comparing the results with similar studies. The present study could assist OSC practitioners in selecting the appropriate procurement method for OSC projects.

Applicability of Integrated Project Delivery Principles Based on a Measurement Model in China

This paper explores a novel approach to clarify the applicability of the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) principles in a certain region or country which has a specific cultural background, the paper further promotes the effective application of IPD principles. The method of combining qualitative and quantitative analysis is adopted, incorporating scientometric analysis, questionnaire survey, qualitative analysis, and a measurement model. On the basis of 310 sample data collected from various practitioners and researchers in China’s construction industry, the measurement models of IPD applicability analysis on the average level of sample (ALS) and the best level of sample (BLS) are established, respectively. The results show that these measurement models are essentially consistent with the composition of the conceptual model, including project performance, contractual principles, collaboration-related principles, behavioral principles, and catalysts. Thus, this paper provides a scientific and methodological basis for how to effectively apply the IPD principles. This study sheds light on project delivery system research in two aspects: it proposes a new idea to study the applicability of IPD principles and lays a foundation for the future quantitative study on the impact mechanism of IPD principles on project performance.

Moderating Effect of Project Type on the Relationship between Project Delivery Systems and Cost Performance

Moderating Effect of Project Type on the Relationship between Project Delivery Systems and Cost Performance

Una revisión sobre Lean Construction para la Gestión de Proyectos de Construcción

La industria de la construcción es una parte importante del sector económico de un país, por lo que es importante verificar los nuevos sistemas de gestión que se implementan en las principales industrias de la construcción del mundo. Este artículo hace una revisión bibliográfica de la filosofía Lean Construction (LC), introducida por el profesor Lauri Koskela en 1992, a partir del modelo utilizado por la industria del automóvil en los años 80, denominado “Lean Production”. Las bases teóricas de LC pretenden ver la producción en construcción como un proceso de transformación, flujo y generador de valor, en consecuencia, el objetivo de Lean Construction es crear buenos sistemas de producción que permitan optimizar, reducir o eliminar flujos para mejorar los tiempos de entrega. En el marco de la creación de herramientas Lean para mejorar la gestión de proyectos de construcción, surge el Last Planner System para mejorar el proceso de programación de obra y el modelo Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), que al unificarlo con LC se convierte en Lean Project Delivery System (LPDS), que propone la metodología para desarrollar proyectos de construcción en cinco fases y 12 etapas “Lean”, en las que se desarrollan herramientas que contribuyan a la generación de valor. Finalmente, la tecnología de modelado 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM), aunque no es parte de LC, es una importante herramienta de ayuda para el modelo LPDS, ayudando a comprender mejor los procesos de construcción de diseños complejos para ahorrar tiempo en su construcción. Bajo este paradigma, el surgimiento de nuevas herramientas nos da una mejor visión del futuro de la Lean Construction.

Project Delivery Systems: The Partnering Concept in Integrated and Non-Integrated Construction Projects

The project delivery system has a large effect in determining the quality of a project. Strategic plans determined by the owner in the project initiation phase must ensure that project performance indicators in the form of cost and quality as well as time are accomplished. A concept of partnering that is well-managed and planned from the initiation phase will determine the quality of the construction project. Increasing the maturity of partnering is needed in order to achieve better project performance indicators. The concept of partnering in integrated and non-integrated projects has a different pattern. This study intends to discuss the concept of partnering and then recommend several key strategies according to the project life cycle. Research this study is quantitative, analyzing secondary data in the form of weekly meetings and project reports with the comparative method and cause-and-effect analysis. The results show that in the phase above 51% of ongoing projects, there is a significant difference in the pattern of partnering between integrated and non-integrated projects. In order to improve deeper partnering, this research reveals several prerequisites that must be met in order to carry out effective partnering in non-integrated projects. This research may benefit owners, contractors, and stakeholders who want to develop their understanding and knowledge of the concepts of partnering and the maturity of partnering, which will be new strategies for developing and improving project delivery systems. This study focuses on a topic from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically partnership for the goal.

Determination of the significance of project delivery attributes (PDAs) on sustainable projects in Turkey

PurposeMany parameters influence the success of sustainable projects (SPs) in the architecture–engineering–construction. One of these important parameters is the project delivery attributes (PDA), which are influenced by the project delivery system (PDS) while affecting the selection of it. This study aims to evaluate the significance of PDAs in influencing both the performance and success of SPs in Turkey, where the interest in SPs is high.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of PDAs was determined by applying the two-round Delphi method with a semistructured interview involving the main stakeholders of a construction project, like owners, designers, contractors and consultants who played active roles in SPs, as well as academics to theoretically evaluate the issue. The significance of PDAs was assessed using the relative importance index, and the results were validated using the interrater agreement analysis.FindingsThe study identified key PDAs impacting SPs as owner character, commitment and motivation; simulation and energy modelling; and timing of stakeholders/early involvement.Originality/valueThe investigation of the significance of the PDAs is a lesser-studied context. Therefore, a research framework that enables an effective set of methods for solving the sectoral problems of PDAs that have impacts on SPs has been proposed. The framework is expected to open new opportunities for the generation and regulation of the PDSs for SPs. The findings will provide valuable insights to project stakeholders, particularly owners, local authorities and policymakers to assess which PDAs have a greater impact on sustainability performance when setting PDSs in SPs in other developing countries.

Factors influencing construction time performance of prefabricated house building: A multi-case study

Developing prefabricated house building is an important strategy to realize sustainable construction of urban human settlement environment. The frequent occurrence of poor construction time performance in practice has become a major obstacle to the development of prefabricated house building. However, we do not know much about the key factors and internal mechanisms that affect the construction time performance of prefabricated house building. To fill the gap, we examined six cases in China to identify the underlying influencing factors and their internal mechanisms by using a multi-case study method. The results show that project technology system and project delivery system are the two key factors affecting the construction time performance of prefabricated house building. In particular, we find that different types of project complexity (i.e., product, process and organizational complexity) may play a mediating role in the relationships. The results also show that construction time performance differences across modes of project technology system and project delivery system are associated with their management of prefabricated house building project complexity. The findings advance our understanding of time performance and project complexity management of prefabricated house building project in theory, and provide useful implications for policy-making and project practices to promote the development of prefabricated building in practice.

Shared Transformational Leadership for Green Architecture Engineering and Construction Project Teams: A Study of LEED Projects

Green architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects are deemed more complicated compared with their traditional counterparts. They have been reported to have relatively more frequent delays and higher cost growth. The AEC literature has repeatedly highlighted the importance of leadership for sustainable design and construction and the need for team integration for optimal outcomes. However, studies exploring leadership in the context of green AEC projects are limited. Transformational leadership is a highly regarded theory that is known for its potential to effectively facilitate team integration. This empirical study tests the role of shared transformational leadership received by team members in improving team performance through team integration for green AEC project teams. We collected data from 103 individuals working in nine Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects in the US. We analyzed the data using structural equation modeling (SEM). Our findings suggest that transformational leadership received by team members is positively related with perceived team performance, and this relationship is mediated through perceived team integration. The study is a pioneer in examining leadership for sustainability and mediation effects of team integration in the AEC literature. The outcomes urge for a change in green AEC project teams to think beyond project delivery systems and practices and incorporate transformational leadership across organizational and communicational tiers of project teams through team procurement, project management, and skill development and training.

Sources of challenges for sustainability in the building design – The relationship between designers and clients

Sustainability demands have changed the building design nature, which gained complexity due to the increased diversity of requirements, activities, agents, and tools. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has a potential to contribute to sustainability enabling the building integrated design, performance simulations, life cycle assessment and information use throughout the building life cycle. The aim of this paper is to investigate the sources of challenges in the relation between architectural and engineering (AE) design firms and clients (developers or private individuals) for promoting sustainability in the building design. Also, it is investigated if BIM has been implemented by the firms and how it relates to management and sustainability. The research method adopted is qualitative and participatory based on focus groups. Two groups were interviewed: eight AE design firms and six developers and/or construction companies. Analysing the research findings, the sources of challenges that were identified are the lack of definition and communication about the stakeholders’ sustainability approach; the lack of a more detailed design scope and required qualifications by the clients, but also the lack of business management and firm’s performance evaluation processes by designers; the traditional project delivery systems, traditional work relationships, tools and processes that do not support the collaboration needs. In addition, AE design firms’ organization affects the client relationship and design quality including the consideration of sustainability issues in the design solutions. The sources are found in the AE design firm’s processes of strategy planning, business and marketing, design, people, and knowledge management. So, further research will be carried out about managerial and organizational capabilities of AE design firms for sustainability and BIM.

Project delivery systems outline the responsibilities and tasks of the parties involved in a project.

Project delivery systems outline the responsibilities and tasks of the parties involved in a project.

A Framework for Project Delivery Systems via Hybrid Fuzzy Risk Analysis: Application and Extension in ICT

One of the essential factors of project success is selecting the proper delivery method. This study aimed to provide a new hybrid decision-making framework to assist project stakeholders in evaluating and selecting the most appropriate Project Delivery System (PDS) and documenting the decision process. For this purpose, the selection factors of PDSs were obtained from a literature review, and critical selection factors were screened based on the fuzzy Delphi method, whereby expert feedback was on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects was obtained. Subsequently, the ICT project risks were identified and categorized into six competitive constraints, including time, cost, quality, reputation, value, and scope, and the risk factors were prioritized in each area. Then, the effect of project risks on the decision criteria was investigated using a fuzzy cognitive map (FCM). Finally, the PDSs were ranked through Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (FTOPSIS). This article researched a novel multi-layer decision system combining the FCM and FTOPSIS techniques. The decision criteria received their weights from the evaluation of the causal relationships between PDS selection factors and project risks. Thus, PDSs were ranked based on different project characteristics, the opinions of stakeholders, and the effect of project risks on the decision-making process; this increased the likelihood of project success. The results showed that the impact of the most critical project risks on the selection factors was so severe that they changed the weight of the criteria in the decision matrix and, subsequently, changed the ranking of decision options.

Methodological Consistency for Quantitative Analysis and Reporting in Project Delivery System Performance Research

Methodological Consistency for Quantitative Analysis and Reporting in Project Delivery System Performance Research

Fuzzy model for Libyan construction projects delivery system selection

The construction project delivery system may be traditional or non-traditional, dependent upon the project-specific requirements and construction industry climate. Many factors are to be considered when making a decision, making it a multi-criteria decision. At the first stage of a project, most selection factors are vague. The project delivery system selection influences all project stages. In the next decade for Libya, there is a tremendous need to adopt a Projects Delivery System (PDS), which avoids the adverse objectives and conflicts that have characterized the Libyan construction industry for too long. This paper aims to assist decision-makers in understanding these concepts better. By utilizing the Fuzzy model, based on proposed criteria assigned to delivery systems evaluation for Libyan construction projects and the opinion of experts, PDSs were evaluated. The study outcome is twofold. Firstly, it selects the proper criteria and explores a Libyan construction project delivery decision-making system based on the Fuzzy theory perspective. Then has ranked the project delivery systems for the Libyan construction industry as follows: 1st rank construction manager at risk, 2nd rank construction manager as an agency, 3rd rank design-build, and 4th rank design-bid-build system. This study can be a quick and effective approach for construction owners.

Selecting a Project Delivery System for Wastewater Treatment Plants With Related-Indicators Under a Pythagorean Fuzzy Environment

Identifying appropriate project delivery systems for wastewater treatment plants (PDSWTPs) plays an important role for wastewater industry decision makers. This study aims to develop a PDSWTP selection model to deal with the related-indicators case by combining the advantages of Pythagorean fuzzy sets and Bonferroni mean operators. The works of this study are as follows: 1) the case with related indicators is innovatively considered as specific to the water industry, and Bonferroni mean operator and Pythagorean fuzzy sets are introduced to PDSWTP selection, which can handle complexity and fuzziness for the actual application. 2) Pythagorean fuzzy weighted Bonferroni mean (PFWBM) and Pythagorean fuzzy weighted geometry Bonferroni mean (PFWGBM) operators are used to aggregate all related indicators in PDSWTP selection, and taking full advantage of PFWBM and PFWGBM operators, a selection framework for PDSWTPs is constructed. 3) To show the robustness, the PDSWTP selection results were given with different parameters in the proposed operators. Finally, a practice example is created, and the results shown are effective and applicable.

Conceptual Framework Design to Select Optimal Project Delivery System and Contract Strategy

One of the most critical factors in the implementation of wastewater projects is the development of a plan for the implementation of the project as well as the optimal project delivery method and contract strategy that suits it, which may affect the success of the project. This research aims to explore the joint planning between the project delivery system and contract strategy, with the aim of providing a conceptual framework for designing an appropriate project delivery method and contract strategy. The researcher identified seven basic delivery methods based on a review of previous studies and a questionnaire that were conducted with a group of experts working in sewage projects in Wasit Governorate / Iraq. This research designs PDCS through the analytical hierarchical process This technique has been used for several reasons, including the ease of application and its ability to identify any quality problem, as well as allowing diversity between viewpoints and its ability to bring different opinions together. It can also be applied with many applications such as linear programming and targeted programming, where the main and sub-factors that affect the choice of PDCS are studied. The design process is divided into two stages, the preliminarily design and the detailed design.

Quality Management Framework for Housing Construction in a Design-Build Project Delivery System: A BIM-UAV Approach

Quality management in project administration can affect the costs and schedule of a project considerably. The immediate notable result of unacceptable quality in a construction project is the “dissatisfied client.” which can be interpreted as “customer loss”. Additionally, defective work is a synonym for problems such as dispute, because items of non-compliance with early agreements can be considered the main factor in triggering claims by the client. The integrated use of two modern technologies, namely Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is proposed in this study to support project quality management (PQM). This study aims to develop the theoretical underpinnings to provide a quality management framework, formed by BIM-UAV, for housing projects in design-build (D&B) contracts. For this purpose, in the first step the causes of client dissatisfaction rooted in quality concerns were identified in two phases of design and construction. The next step was dedicated to the mapping of BIM-UAV capacities to address the identified causes of dissatisfaction of the client. In the final step, expert opinion was obtained to integrate the BIM-UAV capacities to the quality management framework. The findings and main contribution of this study to the body of knowledge is a guide for design-builders to implement BIM-UAV as an innovative quality management solution to improve their services and to gain the maximum level of client satisfaction, focusing on house building.

CULTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT: PROJECT DELIVERY SYSTEM OF CONSERVATION PROJECTS

In general, cultural heritage projects are accepted as construction work. For this reason, traditional project management and delivery systems applied for construction projects are also applied for conservation projects. However, conservation projects are more of an activity of conserving and improving the existing structure than constructing, due to the existence of the structure subject to the project. This conservation activity, which should be done scientifically, also necessitates developing a management approach apart from that of an ordinary building, due to the values embodied in the cultural heritage. Understanding and defining these values are the cornerstones of conservation projects. So, what are the ways of planning a project delivery system that will respect the values defined for the cultural heritage? Seeking for possible answers to this question could support producing a higher quality process and result for cultural heritage conservation projects.Currently, it has been seen that the most common applied project delivery system for cultural heritage conservation is the traditional project delivery system. However, it is obvious that the issues arising from the characteristics of the conservation projects can not be solved by continuing within the traditional delivery systems. The aim of this paper is to show the necessity to develop a delivery system specific to conservation projects due to the basic characteristics of conservation projects. It is believed that a proposal for the project delivery system for conservation projects including features of conservation project facts will contribute to conduct and achieve conservation works with better quality.

Machine learning-integrated 5D BIM informatics: building materials costs data classification and prototype development

Non-informatics cost estimation is a tedious process and requires substantial amount of time and manual operations. However, BIM adoption approaches have attracted significant attention with this respect. Since BIM models are object-based with built-in parametric information, it is easier to capture the quantities of building elements and deliver more accurate estimates with less errors and omissions. As most of the current cost estimation standards are designed and developed based on old-fashioned construction project delivery systems, a lack of compatibility between their classification and BIM-based informatics is observed. This study, therefore, aims to develop an informatics framework to integrate a cost estimation standard with BIM in order to expedite the 5D BIM process and enhance the digital transformation practices in construction projects. The developed framework is considered to be a new approach which can automatically estimate the cost of building elements using machine learning-integrated algorithms and MATLAB engine for its effective implementation.

Exploring the Barriers to Implementing the Integrated Project Delivery Method

The willingness of Kuwait’s construction industry to implement the new and emerging delivery system, the Integrated Project Delivery method (IPD), was explored in this research. As general conclusions to the barriers to IPD are already established by existing literature, this research aims to identify the specific barriers to IPD by evaluating the willingness of non-IPD teams to implement the principles of IPD. Data was collected from members engaged in multiple construction projects located in Kuwait. Statistical analyses were performed on the collected data to examine differences and similarities in their responses. A Delay Index variable revealed that ongoing Design-Bid-Build (DBB) projects are suffering a delay that amounts to half their original construction duration and that is almost double the delay incurred on Design-Build (DB) projects, which suffered a lesser delay. The data was further analyzed based on the respondents’ project delivery system, project sector, years of experience, and project party. The results indicated that the majority of the respondents working in Kuwait were willing to implement most of IPD’s principles. Astonishingly, respondents working on DBB projects were more willing to implement the principles of IPD than those working on DB projects. The respondents from both the public and private sectors were equally willing. The main contractors were found to be less willing to implement IPD than all the other project parties. Moreover, the most prominent barriers prohibiting most respondents from implementing IPD was their unwillingness to sign a contract that includes liability waivers and one that includes IPD’s organizational hierarchical structure. The findings of this research contribute to the current body of knowledge by exploring the construction industry’s willingness to implement IPD and by simultaneously identifying the specific barriers to its implementation, as well as identifying where these barriers lie. These findings may be used as evidence by owners or industry pioneers in promoting the implementation of IPD in their respective organizations.

Utility Relocation Concept Plan for Mitigation of Utility Relocation Delays

Utility conflicts are a primary cause of construction project delays. To mitigate delays, utility coordination is necessary. Existing utility coordination and communication studies lack an interactive method. This study aims to develop a method for utility coordination and utility conflict management that engages the utility owners early in the project development process to mitigate utility relocation delays. This study contributes to utility coordination by addressing the identified gap of improved incorporation of utility coordination processes into a project. This study provides and tests an interactive communication and model—utility relocation concept plan (URCP)—to develop utility conflict mitigation approaches that are agreeable between the utility owner, project owner, and contractor. URCP is a streamlined utility coordination technique and model that can be used in conjunction with current utility conflict management techniques in the industry. To the authors’ knowledge, a URCP is not currently in use in the industry outside of Kiewit Construction Corporation, nor is a URCP presented in the literature. The development of the URCP facilitates interactive visual discussions between the engineer, contractor, and utility owner. This interaction allows the relocations to be designed by all parties as well as provides advanced notification to the utility owners. Case study analysis revealed that when a URCP was utilized as a utility coordination tool, the amount of time it took to mitigate utility conflicts was reduced by 14.77%. Further research would be required to determine the viability of the URCP method in other geographic areas and other project delivery systems outside of design-build delivery projects.