Nasirzadeh, F; Carmichael, D G; Jarban, M J and Rostamnezhad, M (2019) Hybrid fuzzy-system dynamics approach for quantification of the impacts of construction claims. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 26(7), pp. 1261-1276. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present a novel hybrid fuzzy-system dynamics (SD) approach for the quantification of the impacts of construction claims. Design/methodology/approach: The most significant claims affecting a project are identified. The various factors affecting the impacts of claims are identified. Then, the qualitative model of construction claims is constructed considering the complex inter-related structure of the influencing factors. The mathematical relationships among the variables are determined and the quantitative model of claims is built. Finally, fuzzy logic is integrated into the proposed model to take into account the existing uncertainties. Findings: To show the capabilities of the proposed simulation model, it is implemented on a real project and the impacts of the identified claims on the project cost are quantified. It is shown that the external interactions among different claims can intensify their overall impact. Research limitations/implications: Identification of interactions among various influencing factors is not an easy job when there are a large number of claims in a project. Well-qualified experts and the existence of historical data may limit the application of the proposed method in projects with limited data and/or qualified experts. Practical implications: The proposed hybrid fuzzy-SD approach provides a practical and flexible tool that can be used in various construction projects to assess the cost impacts of construction claims taking into account their complex interactions. Using the proposed method, the accuracy of achieved results is increased compared to conventional methods that are used for the quantification of claims since the complex inter-related structure of influencing factors and the claims interactions are taken into account. One of the capabilities of the proposed hybrid fuzzy-SD method is its flexibility. Depending on the type of contract and the parties involved in the project, the proposed hybrid fuzzy-SD method can be used during different stages of the project life cycle to model and quantify claims. Originality/value: The proposed approach may present a flexible and robust method for quantification of construction claims. The novelty aspects of this paper are as follows: the extensively complex structure of claims arising from both internal and external interactions is accounted for using SD. The existing uncertainties affecting the impacts of a claim are taken into account.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | case study; claim; construction; construction projects; fuzzy logic; modelling; novel method; project management; simulation; system dynamics |
| Index terms: | quantification, influencing factor, case study, fuzzy logic, life cycle, modelling, interaction, project management, project cost, accuracy, methodology, system dynamics, construction project, construction claim |
| Subjects: | professional development, project management theory and practice, production management, research methods, economics, behavioral psychology, measurement and scaling, payment, value management, computing systems, data collection methods, risk assessment, analytical methods, data science |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Cost Management, Risk Management, Digital Applications, Contract Administration |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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