Contractor Selection Criteria Impact on Construction Project Delays using AHP and TOPSIS: A Case Study
Mohammadreza Tayebi1; Sanaz Farshad2; Shahram Pourakaber3
- Department of Civil and Construction Management, Binaloud Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad 9351991949, Iran
- Department of Civil and Construction Management, Binaloud Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad 9351991949, Iran
- Department of Civil and Construction Management, Binaloud Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad 9351991949, Iran
Delays are a prevalent challenge in construction projects, affecting their performance across various phases. These delays often stem from the interplay of key project constraints: scope, cost, time, and quality. Changes in one constraint typically trigger alterations in others, leading to time overruns. Such delays impose significant financial and economic burdens, underscoring the importance of understanding their root causes. This study identifies and prioritizes contractor selection criteria that impact project delays, focusing on Mashhad's 12th district. The analysis evaluated contractor capabilities, management skills, quality assurance, reliability, resource availability, commitment, and financial stability. A sample of 384 individuals, selected from a statistical population of 10,000 using Morgan's table, was surveyed. Respondents included 289 workshop employees and 95 technical and management office staff. The AHP and TOPSIS ranking revealed that contractor ability, with a weight of 0.166, is the most critical factor for achieving project success in the region. Conversely, financial factors, though significant, ranked lowest with a weight of 0.073. These findings suggest that while financial challenges are common in construction, the primary cause of delays is the contractors' lack of technical ability and inefficient resource utilization. The study highlights the need for prioritizing contractor selection criteria to mitigate delays and enhance project outcomes. By focusing on competency and effective management, projects in Mashhad's 12th district—and similar regions—can achieve greater success despite financial constraints.
Project management, Contractor selection, Delays, Construction project, Hierarchical analysis, TOPSIS
The data supporting the findings of this study are available within article. No publicly archived dataset was generated.
This research received no external funding.
- Contractor ability is key to reducing delays
- AHP and TOPSIS prioritize selection criteria
- Financial factors less critical than technical capability
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