Competency-Based Contractor Classification Systems: A Systematic Review of Global Practices and Policy Lessons for Industrial Advancement

Contractor classification regulates market entry and project delivery quality, but legacy schemes overweight financial capacity and project size while underweighting capabilities. This systematic review synthesizes global practices that embed competency dimensions into contractor classification. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020, 40 studies (2015–2025) from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar met predefined criteria. Thematic synthesis yields five core domains: technical expertise, financial soundness, safety and quality, performance record, and technological capability. National exemplars (e.g., Contractor Registration System (Singapore)–Singapore CRS, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan)–Japan MLIT, Publicly Available Specification 91 (UK)–UK PAS 91) blend competency benchmarks with policy levers such as mandatory upskilling, continuous accreditation, and performance-linked grading. We argue for dynamic, capability-based systems supported by digital performance dashboards. Findings inform reforms in emerging markets and contribute a structured lens for policy design.