Several procurement approaches have evolved over the years to suit the delivery of the ever increasing complexity and size of construction projects, coupled with the increasing pressure to embrace green methodologies as part of any such approach. Many of these available approaches reflect various levels of integration that may be desired to achieve in respect of critical project aspects, including: design, construction, operation, and finance. Decisions as to the most suitable delivery approach are to be made by project owners/developers, while being often assisted by market analysts, project management professionals, and other specialty consultants. While it is established that such a decision-making process does not follow an exact science, this paper tackles the issue of where responsibility truly rests for ensuring that the preferred or adopted project procurement strategy is consciously argued for with the interests of all involved stakeholders in mind. It touches on (1) the roles of the public and development policies and regulations prevailing in the locality of the intended project as well as (2) the capabilities and readiness of concerned project participants in enforcing, or at least, promoting more environmental, social, and economic consciousness into the procurement approach decision-making process.
Multi-Criteria Evaluation in Support of the Decision-Making Process in Highway Construction Projects
