Critical success factors for different components of construction projects

The present study attempts to distinguish the different critical success factors (CSFs) for different components of construction projects as perceived by different professions, i.e.,civil and structural engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, architects, and quantity surveyors. An analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is adopted to solicit the consistent subjective judgment of 27 experts in construction to identify the top 10 CSFs from 67 factors describing aspects of project characteristics, contractual arrangements, project participants, and interactive processes. The views of the different professionals are shaped by the experience they gained from their involvement in the respective components of the construction projects under their charge. It follows that the CSFs identified by the professionals are naturally relevant to the components of construction projects that they are familiar with. The present study reveals that the respective top 10 CSFs for the schedule, budget, and quality performance of architectural works, civil and structural works, and mechanical and electrical engineering works are markedly different. Moreover, the study shows that the judgment with regard to CSFs of respondents with less than 15years of experience differs from that of the more experienced respondents and hence may not be good enough. It follows that studies reported in the existing literature that have included views of respondents with less than 15years' experience in construction or based on the views of professionals predominantly from a particular discipline are likely to be biased and misleading.