Quality performance index for assessment of design phase in architectural & engineering companies

The performance of architectural and engineering design (A/ED) offices is a critical concern for the construction industry. Achieving high performance in these offices has consistently been challenging worldwide. With Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 aiming to reduce dependence on oil, construction activities have surged in both residential and non-residential sectors. Consequently, evaluating performance in these offices has become crucial for architects, engineers, and managers in private and state-owned entities. Citing the need of a measurable indicator, a Quality Performance Index (QPI) for A/ED offices in Saudi Arabia was developed using the pair-wise comparison method based on the response obtained through interviews and survey questionnaires from a sample size of 93. The objective was to help private sector decision-makers assess the performance of A/ED offices buy using a systematic criteria. Interviews with experts identified three key factors for the QPI: conceptual design, detailed A/ED, and the drawings issued for construction. These factors proved to be crucial for distinguishing the quality of engineering offices. The study’s findings indicated that detailed engineering design holds the highest weight at 37.2%, followed by conceptual design at 34.3%, and construction drawings at 28.5%. A case study is also presented showing the application of the developed QPI. The research provides valuable insights into performance issues within design offices and offers guidance to architects, engineers, and other professionals to enhance overall performance. This also, supports the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by improving the construction sector.