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A fuzzy-based decision support system for ranking the delivery methods of mega projects

Moza Tahnoon Al Nahyan (Department of Management, College of Business, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
Yaser E. Hawas (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
Mohsin Raza (Roadway, Transportation, and Traffic Safety Research Center (RTTSRC), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates)
Hamad Aljassmi (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates)
Munjed A. Maraqa (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates)
Basil Basheerudeen (Roadway, Transportation and Traffic Safety Research Center, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates)
Mohammad Sherif Mohammad (Roadway, Transportation and Traffic Safety Research Center, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates)

International Journal of Managing Projects in Business

ISSN: 1753-8378

Article publication date: 5 March 2018

646

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework to devise a system for ranking of traditional project delivery methods, regarding their suitability, against the varying levels of mega project attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed system employs input and output interfaces and a granular (fuzzy rule base) component for estimating the subjective levels of risks, opportunities, and constraints and then mapping them to a decision matrix. A questionnaire has been designed (using the SurveyGizmo® platform) to collect the perceptions of the various project stakeholders and use them. A total of 127 stakeholders completed the survey form in full.

Findings

The survey data were used to calibrate the fuzzy logic model of the granular component. The envisioned system computes, for each possible delivery method, an index that reflects the suitability (of the corresponding delivery method) on an ordinal scale.

Originality/value

The devised decision support system is likely to lessen the dependency of “accurate decision” on “the experience of the decision-makers.” It will also enable ranking the various project delivery methods based on the various project and stakeholder attributes that are likely to affect the project risks, opportunities and constraints.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the research project funds (Grants No. 31R064 and 21R018) by the UAE University and the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The authors appreciate the editorial efforts in handling this manuscript, and also extend their appreciations to the anonymous reviewers whose comments helped a great deal in improving the overall quality and clarity of the manuscript.

Citation

Al Nahyan, M.T., Hawas, Y.E., Raza, M., Aljassmi, H., Maraqa, M.A., Basheerudeen, B. and Mohammad, M.S. (2018), "A fuzzy-based decision support system for ranking the delivery methods of mega projects", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 122-143. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-06-2017-0055

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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