Project procurement system selection model

In the last two decades, there have been significant changes in the technical and economic conditions prevailing in the construction industry. To overcome the shortcomings of the traditional procurement methods, the construction industry has developed a large number of different procurement systems. A systematic approach for selection of the most appropriate system is now needed. This paper presents the development of the project procurement system selection model (PPSSM), which integrates the techniques of the analytic hierarchy process and Parker's judging alternative technique of value engineering into a multicriteria multiscreening system. A survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia with the aim of testing the PPSSM for effectiveness and efficiency and assisting the governmental agencies to select the most appropriate procurement system for implementation of their projects. For this purpose, a questionnaire was developed. On the basis of the synthesis process of the PPSSM, Saudi public clients selected design and build as the most appropriate procurement system for their projects, with an overall priority of 0.496. The outcome of the study demonstrates the effectiveness of PPSSM in helping the client in the construction industry to choose the procurement system that fulfills the needs of the client and the project requirements.