Multi criteria decision analysis for constructability assessment

In every engineering field, project management is crucial for accomplishing the project’s objectives. Infrastructure projects, in particular, can significantly affect a country’s economic growth or failure; therefore, effective management of large-scale infrastructure projects is vital. Over the past 50 years, considerable effort has been dedicated to developing systems that serve as practical tools to enhance the capabilities of project managers and decision-makers to assist with the selection of the best options among various alternatives. One such significant process, constructability assessment, is a well-recognised strategy used in civil projects. In recent years, numerous studies have focused on investigating the key criteria associated with the constructability and feasibility of different projects. Indeed, constructability can affect the selection of construction methodology. Plus, it is a considering assessment for the significance of value engineering and risk analysis, while various aspects of schedule and performance are available, and it can be outlined in the phases, including initiation, execution, field operation phase, delivery, and maintenance. Moreover, decision-making plays a core role in constructability evaluation, which is expected to identify the best fit for the project; however, this can be a problematic approach owing to conflicting criteria. Nevertheless, it can precede proper planning and decision-making processes during the early stages of projects. Although considerable improvements have occurred in the constructability review process, there is still a lack of will to propose critical elements to have a solid database for constructability assessment, specifically in the life cycle of an infrastructure project. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the advantages of constructability during the feasibility stage, employing a decision-making tool to assess various proposed options based on essential factors. A thorough review of the constructability and decision support system literature has led to the identification of seven multi-criteria decision analysis methods suitable for determining the ideal option. Subsequently, an online survey was used to gather opinions from construction experts in academia and industry to establish a foundational set of factors customisable to individual project requirements and priorities. Finally, the research methodology was validated through two bridge case studies. The discussion chapter explores the advantages and disadvantages, and recommendations are provided for future work to enhance the constructability review process.