A multi-criteria decision analytics approach for project delivery system selection in housing projects

The strategic choice of project delivery method profoundly impacts the success of residential construction projects. This study focuses on the Indian construction industry intricate dynamics involving various stakeholders, including project managers, contractors, and clients, in shaping project delivery strategies. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among 124 experienced professionals in the Indian construction industry. Using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS), and VIKOR Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) processes, this study examines stakeholder influences on project delivery methods across three scenarios. The results revealed substantial stakeholder impacts on various project delivery strategies. Project managers strongly favour the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) approach, contractors lean toward the design-build (DB) technique, and clients prefer CMAR. Of the three performance indicators, cost has the highest value of 0.421 which denotes that it is the most important factor to consider during delivery method selection. For all MCDM techniques, CMAR had the highest composite score of 0.873, hence ranking it as the best Project Delivery System (PDS) overall. The study concludes that PDS selection significantly depends on stakeholder priorities, and CMAR demonstrates strong performance across key indicators. The findings indicated that stakeholders’ perspectives play a pivotal role in the success of residential building projects. These findings underscore the importance of including all stakeholder inputs in selecting the delivery strategy. Project managers provide vital insights, contractors provide industry-specific expertise, and clients wield influence in coordination-intensive scenarios. Early client engagement ensures that needs are considered. Engagement tools, such as interviews, surveys, and feedback channels, facilitate strategy decisions. Alignment with project goals is crucial in selecting the delivery strategy, considering project constraints, such as budget, schedule, and quality standards. CMAR may excel in tight budget and time control situations, whereas DB prioritizes speed. This study emphasizes a comprehensive stakeholder-centric approach for identifying the ideal project delivery method in Indian residential building projects to ensure overall success and stakeholder satisfaction. • Apply multiple analytical models to assess stakeholder influence on project delivery. • Highlight how stakeholder roles shape delivery method preferences. • Demonstrate how project constraints guide method selection for housing projects. • Use decision analysis tools to align delivery strategies with project goals. • Emphasize the value of early stakeholder engagement in construction planning.