Shokoohi, F. and Vosoughifar, H. (2026) Multi-dimensional sensitivity analysis of lean and sustainable construction: A novel modified trapezoidal DEMATEL–ANP (mtda) approach for integrated project management. International Journal of Construction Management, 26(10), pp. 1999-2017. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Construction projects must reconcile lean construction (LC) and sustainable development (SD) under complex, interdependent criteria. This paper introduces a Modified Trapezoidal DEMATEL–ANP (MTDA) framework that integrates fuzzy logic, causal mapping, and network weighting to perform multi‐dimensional sensitivity analysis in Integrated Project Management (IPM). Expert focus groups calibrated fuzzy numbers, while a MATLAB toolbox automated the DEMATEL and ANP computations. MTDA reveals that LC and SD jointly account for 28% of IPM's influence, affirming their strategic priority. Waste minimization displays a nonlinear response, initially impeding performance (–78.24% at 5% sensitivity) before delivering strong gains (+51.45% at 20%), emphasizing the need for phased implementation. Secondary drivers, including time‐cost reduction and structural health monitoring (SHM), balance efficiency with resilience, whereas safety, quality, and public health emerge as tertiary considerations. Sensitivity analysis further differentiates variables with positive growth trends, like customer satisfaction and quality. By quantifying causal linkages and forecasting variable perturbations, MTDA provides construction managers and policymakers with a transparent, data‐driven decision‐support tool to optimize resource allocation, anticipate trade‐offs, and adapt strategies to project‐specific uncertainties. This research thus bridges theoretical integration and practical application, offering actionable insights to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in urban construction.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | fuzzy method; integrated project management; lean construction; modified trapezoidal DEMATEL–ANP; sensitivity analysis; sustainable development |
| Index terms: | lean construction, efficiency, public health, integration, project management, cost reduction, linkage, sustainable development, causal mapping, sensitivity analysis, construction project, implementation, tertiary, forecasting, fuzzy method, construction manager, customer satisfaction, focus group, sustainable construction, minimization, resource allocation, monitoring, strategy, computation, fuzzy logic |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, prediction and forecasting, data collection methods, sustainable construction, performance management, service delivery, control systems, resource management, data science, management, organizational analysis, contractual arrangements, environmental health, environmental hazards, systems engineering, production management, health safety and environment, building construction, computational methods, curriculum development, business, algorithms, profession, project management theory and practice, economics |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Organizational Design, Cost Management, Sustainability, Engineering Principles, Education, Business Strategy, Procurement, Stakeholder Management, Digital Applications, Research Practice, Project Management, Quality Management, Site Management, Roles and Professions |
| 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