Multi-criteria evaluation model for the selection of architectural consultants

The selection of a competent architect is vital to the success of a development. Like in many developed countries, developers in Hong Kong select architects based on a set of criteria. Price is not the only consideration in the process, and decisions rely heavily on subjective judgement. By conducting a questionnaire survey, the research reported here identified the common criteria for selection and their relative importance for an objective selection. This involved the use of an evaluation method called the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Survey data from projects with similar characteristics were used to compute the criteria weights. Multi-criteria models for seven out of 27 categories of project were built with reference to the computed weights derived from the survey. In addition, a computer program, called the Architectural Consultant Selection System (ACSS), was designed to illustrate a logical approach for the evaluation of prospective consultant architects based on the models constructed.     

A multi-attribute utility model for dispute resolution strategy selection

Disputes are inevitable in construction projects. Skills in dispute resolution should be part of the toolkit of any practitioner in a managerial position. Dispute resolution procedures such as litigation, arbitration, mediation, dispute adviser and negotiation are widely practised. However, frequently the question is how to systematically determine which dispute resolution strategy to adopt given the nature of disputes. Even though the topic of dispute resolution has been widely discussed and heavily researched, few studies have been conducted with respect to this question. A decision-making model has been developed using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-attribute utility technique (MAUT). The model comprises four parts: selection criteria, dispute resolution strategies, collection of utility factors and selection criteria weightings. These were developed from empirical data collected through an interview survey with selected experts in the field. The model is designed to identify in a systematic manner an appropriate dispute resolution strategy for a given dispute, rather than relying on subjective decisions. The model is tested using a hypothetical scenario in which three case studies are evaluated.     

Priority setting in maintenance management: a modified multi-attribute approach using analytic hierarchy process

In the current economic climate, budgets for the maintenance of public buildings are unlikely to meet the ever-increasing maintenance needs. Although it is unlikely that this problem can be overcome completely without an injection of further resources, it is possible for government maintenance authorities to improve the situation by ensuring that the best solution in terms of ‘value for money’ is achieved in the planned maintenance programme. A maintenance plan which is based on a rational assessment of priorities and up-to-date knowledge of the condition of the property stock will help to ensure the best use of available resources. Based on the multi-attribute maintenance prioritization model developed by Alan Spedding, Roy Holmes and Qiping Shen at the University of West of England, which is simple in practice and flexible from a management point of view, this paper presents the results of some further research into this area by modifying the original model using an analytical hierarchy process in deciding the weightings of the criteria set out in the prioritization model. This modified model is more quantitative and objective than the original model. The validation of the framework is also discussed.     

Application of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in multi-criteria analysis of the selection of intelligent building systems

The availability of innumerable intelligent building (IB) products, and the current dearth of inclusive building component selection methods suggest that decision makers might be confronted with the quandary of forming a particular combination of components to suit the needs of a specific IB project. Despite this problem, few empirical studies have so far been undertaken to analyse the selection of the IB systems, and to identify key selection criteria for major IB systems. This study is designed to fill these research gaps. Two surveys: a general survey and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) survey are proposed to achieve these objectives. The first general survey aims to collect general views from IB experts and practitioners to identify the perceived critical selection criteria, while the AHP survey was conducted to prioritize and assign the important weightings for the perceived criteria in the general survey. Results generally suggest that each IB system was determined by a disparate set of selection criteria with different weightings. ‘Work efficiency’ is perceived to be most important core selection criterion for various IB systems, while ‘user comfort’, ‘safety’ and ‘cost effectiveness’ are also considered to be significant. Two sub-criteria, ‘reliability’ and ‘operating and maintenance costs’, are regarded as prime factors to be considered in selecting IB systems. The current study contributes to the industry and IB research in at least two aspects. First, it widens the understanding of the selection criteria, as well as their degree of importance, of the IB systems. It also adopts a multi-criteria AHP approach which is a new method to analyse and select the building systems in IB. Further research would investigate the inter-relationship amongst the selection criteria.     

Optimal selection of location for Taiwanese hospitals to ensure a competitive advantage by using the analytic hierarchy process and sensitivity analysis

Implementation of the National Health Insurance scheme in Taiwan since 1995 has intensified competition in the local medical sector. Given elevated living standards island wide, Taiwanese residents have become more health conscious and attach increasing importance to quality healthcare, explaining the heightened consumer demand in the quality and scope of medical services. Additionally, the medical service sector has improved its organizational structure and encouraged hospitals to establish management practices that would increase their competitiveness. In such an intensely competitive environment, selecting the optimal location of hospitals to be established is of priority concern. Therefore, this work presents an analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-based evaluation model. Sensitivity analysis is performed in detail by varying the objective factor decision weight, the priority weight of subjective factors and the gain factors. Adopted herein is the renowned diamond model introduced in Porter's The Competitive Advantage of Nations (1990) that influences how competitive advantages, especially with respect to developing and evaluating the objectives of optimal location selection, are related in order to devise a standardized operational procedure. Besides a literature review and interviews with experts, this study also adopts the modified Delphi method, the AHP and the sensitivity analysis to develop an evaluation method for selecting the optimal location of a regional hospital in Taiwan to determine its effectiveness. The proposed evaluation criterion provides a valuable reference for hospital administrators and academics in establishing a standardized means of selecting the optimal location for new medical care facilities.     

Optimizing resource-based allocation for senior citizen housing to ensure a competitive advantage using the analytic hierarchy process

Taiwan's elderly citizens of 65 years or older account for more than 10% of the entire population. Therefore, this work presents an evaluation method based on resource-based theory and Porter's Diamond model to identify developmental trends and factors that would give enterprises a competitive advantage in the senior citizen housing industry. The proposed method can enable administrators of senior citizen housing to select the most feasible options by considering finance and market analysis-related concerns in order to ensure success in daily operations. In addition to enhancing the competency of administrators in making their housing productive in this increasingly competitive sector, the proposed method can provide a valuable reference for experts, academics and investors in the long-term care sector attempting to devise relevant marketing strategies.     

What makes a location attractive for the housing consumer? Preliminary findings from metropolitan Helsinki and Randstad Holland using the analytical hierarchy process

What determines the attractiveness of a location within a given housing market? The study reports some preliminary cross-country evidence on housing consumer preferences, based on expert elicited preference profiles generated by an analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The findings indicate fundamental differences between the two housing market contexts: metropolitan Helsinki (in 1998) and Randstad Holland (in 2003). In Helsinki housing quality and a spacious environment are always taken for granted. Therefore, an important choice criterion is location, particularly two aspects of it: accessibility and ?8pleasantness?9. The latter aspect characterises a pluralist consumer preference formation; it is based on various individual and idiosyncratic lifestyles that depend on value orientations. In Randstad Holland the situation is somewhat different. There, for most housing consumers, the functionality and spaciousness of the house matters more than its location. Furthermore, the tangible ?8hard?9 characteristics have more weight than the intangible ?8soft?9 ones when it comes to evaluating the physical surroundings. The image of the municipality does not matter as much as the neighbourhood factors. The difference is particularly evident for new developments in suburban areas. This has potential implications for the building industry when deciding on the most feasible strategy for production.