Ben Mahmoud, B; Lehoux, N; Blanchet, P and Jobidon, G (2026) Towards a resilient project delivery system selection: Evaluating the impact of external environment criteria for public infrastructure in quebec. Construction Management and Economics, 44(3), pp. 159-182. ISSN 0144-6193
Abstract
The Project Delivery System (PDS) selection process significantly influences construction project success and team performance. While extensive research has focused on improving the PDS selection, the impact of external environment criteria (EEC) such as economic constraints, political pressure, and market conditions remains largely unexplored. These dynamic elements disrupt project execution and hinder the overall sector productivity. Addressing this gap, this study evaluates the influence of EEC on the PDS selection. A mathematical model is developed to help in allocating the suitable PDS for multiple construction projects considering the project characteristics, owner's preferences, and EEC including political and economic constraints, contractor availability, and innovation needs. A case study on Quebec's public infrastructure projects is conducted to evaluate how these criteria shape the PDS selection process for this context. The findings demonstrate the substantial influence of external criteria in promoting alternative and collaborative PDS. Furthermore, a scenario-based analysis helped identify the most suitable PDS options for addressing severe conditions such as economic crisis and contractor shortages. This research thus provides valuable insights for improving PDS selection and enhancing project outcomes in a dynamic environment.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction project; external environment criteria; project delivery system; public infrastructure |
| Index terms: | mathematical model, market condition, construction project, shortages, preference, case study, public infrastructure, project outcome, productivity, owner, project delivery, team performance, option |
| Subjects: | project completion, economic analysis, decision-making and reasoning, production management, mathematical modelling, data collection methods, economic and policy analysis, project delivery, management, sociology, decision analysis, infrastructure and transport systems |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Business Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Organizational Design, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Procurement, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here