Fuzzy AHP with Applications in Evaluating Construction Project Complexity

Abstract Managing complex construction projects is a challenging task because it involves multiple factors and decision-making processes. A systematic evaluation of these complex factors is imperative for achieving project success. As most of these factors are qualitative or intangible in nature, decision makers often rely on subjective judgements when comparing and evaluating them. The hybrid techniques that integrate fuzzy set theory and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) are able to deal with such problems. This chapter discusses various hybrid techniques of the fuzzy AHP and presents an application of these techniques to the evaluation of transportation project complexity, which is essential for prioritising resource allocation and assessing project performance. Project complexity can be quantified and visualised effectively with the application of the fuzzy AHP. This chapter enhances the understanding of construction project complexity and fuzzy hybrid computing in construction engineering and management. Future research should address the calibration of fuzzy membership functions in pairwise comparisons for each individual decision maker and develop computational tools for solving optimisation problems in the constrained fuzzy AHP. In the area of construction project complexity, future research should investigate how scarce resources are allocated to better manage complex projects and how appropriate resource allocation improves their performance.

[1]  James J. Buckley,et al.  Fuzzy hierarchical analysis revisited , 2001, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[2]  Alessio Ishizaka,et al.  Calibrated fuzzy AHP for current bank account selection , 2013, Expert Syst. Appl..

[3]  Long D. Nguyen,et al.  Quantifying the complexity of transportation projects using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process , 2015 .

[4]  Ludmil Mikhailov,et al.  Deriving priorities from fuzzy pairwise comparison judgements , 2003, Fuzzy Sets Syst..

[5]  Jana Talasová,et al.  A fuzzy extension of Analytic Hierarchy Process based on the constrained fuzzy arithmetic , 2016, Fuzzy Optimization and Decision Making.

[6]  Valentinas Podvezko,et al.  Application of AHP technique , 2009 .

[7]  Sangwook Lee,et al.  Determination of Priority Weights under Multiattribute Decision-Making Situations: AHP versus Fuzzy AHP , 2015 .

[8]  Cengiz Kahraman,et al.  Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process and its Application , 2008 .

[9]  Gwo-Hshiung Tzeng,et al.  Fuzzy MCDM approach for planning and design tenders selection in public office buildings , 2004 .

[10]  J. Buckley,et al.  Fuzzy hierarchical analysis , 1999, FUZZ-IEEE'99. 1999 IEEE International Fuzzy Systems. Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.99CH36315).

[11]  Ezekiel Chinyio,et al.  Multi-criteria evaluation model for the selection of sustainable materials for building projects , 2013 .

[12]  Ying-Ming Wang,et al.  On the normalization of interval and fuzzy weights , 2006, Fuzzy Sets Syst..

[13]  Przemyslaw Jakiel,et al.  FAHP model used for assessment of highway RC bridge structural and technological arrangements , 2015, Expert Syst. Appl..

[14]  Alex Gorod,et al.  Clarifying the project complexity construct: Past, present and future , 2016 .

[15]  D. Chang Applications of the extent analysis method on fuzzy AHP , 1996 .

[16]  Solomon Tesfamariam,et al.  Decision Making Under Uncertainty—An Example for Seismic Risk Management , 2010, Risk analysis : an official publication of the Society for Risk Analysis.

[17]  Jelena M. Andrić,et al.  Risk Assessment of Bridges under Multiple Hazards in Operation Period , 2016 .

[18]  Patrick X.W. Zou,et al.  Fuzzy AHP-Based Risk Assessment Methodology for PPP Projects , 2011 .

[19]  John Quigley,et al.  Project complexity and risk management (ProCRiM) : towards modelling project complexity driven risk paths in construction projects , 2016 .

[20]  Søren L. Buhl,et al.  What Causes Cost Overrun in Transport Infrastructure Projects? , 2004, 1304.4476.

[21]  Aminah Robinson Fayek,et al.  Risk Management in the Construction Industry Using Combined Fuzzy FMEA and Fuzzy AHP , 2010 .

[22]  Didier Dubois,et al.  The role of fuzzy sets in decision sciences: Old techniques and new directions , 2011, Fuzzy Sets Syst..

[23]  Ludmil Mikhailov,et al.  A fuzzy programming method for deriving priorities in the analytic hierarchy process , 2000, J. Oper. Res. Soc..

[24]  Mario Enea,et al.  Project Selection by Constrained Fuzzy AHP , 2004, Fuzzy Optim. Decis. Mak..

[25]  Douglas D. Gransberg,et al.  Project Complexity Mapping in Five Dimensions for Complex Transportation Projects , 2013 .

[26]  Stuart D. Anderson,et al.  Exploring and Assessing Project Complexity , 2017 .

[27]  Lan Luo,et al.  Investigating the Relationship between Project Complexity and Success in Complex Construction Projects , 2017 .

[28]  Dan Wang,et al.  MBNQA‐oriented self‐assessment quality management system for contractors: fuzzy AHP approach , 2008 .

[29]  Rehan Sadiq,et al.  Risk-based environmental decision-making using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (F-AHP) , 2006 .

[30]  Mao-Jiun J. Wang,et al.  Ranking fuzzy numbers with integral value , 1992 .

[31]  Panos M. Pardalos,et al.  On the Evaluation and Application of Different Scales For Quantifying Pairwise Comparisons in Fuzzy Sets , 1994 .

[32]  Ana Nieto-Morote,et al.  A fuzzy approach to construction project risk assessment , 2011 .

[33]  Nang-Fei Pan,et al.  FUZZY AHP APPROACH FOR SELECTING THE SUITABLE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION METHOD , 2008 .

[34]  W. Pedrycz,et al.  A fuzzy extension of Saaty's priority theory , 1983 .

[35]  A. Calabrese,et al.  A fuzzy analytic hierarchy process method to support materiality assessment in sustainability reporting , 2016 .

[36]  Edward J. Jaselskis,et al.  Construction Project Complexity: Research Trends and Implications , 2017 .

[37]  Mostafa Khanzadi,et al.  Fuzzy adaptive decision making model for selection balanced risk allocation , 2012 .

[38]  Nigel J. Smith,et al.  Application of a fuzzy based decision making methodology to construction project risk assessment , 2007 .

[39]  Francis Tekyi Edum-Fotwe,et al.  Socio-organo complexity and project performance , 2011 .

[40]  Zhongsheng Hua,et al.  On the extent analysis method for fuzzy AHP and its applications , 2008, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[41]  Cheng-Ru Wu,et al.  Applying fuzzy hierarchy multiple attributes to construct an expert decision making process , 2009, Expert Syst. Appl..

[42]  Daniel Kubek,et al.  Multicriteria Selection of the Building Material Supplier Using AHP and Fuzzy AHP , 2016 .

[43]  Etienne E. Kerre,et al.  Defuzzification: criteria and classification , 1999, Fuzzy Sets Syst..

[44]  Robert J. Chapman,et al.  A framework for examining the dimensions and characteristics of complexity inherent within rail megaprojects , 2016 .

[45]  James W. Kolari,et al.  Deriving weights from general pairwise comparison matrices , 2008, Math. Soc. Sci..

[46]  Gülçin Büyüközkan,et al.  A fuzzy-logic-based decision-making approach for new product development , 2004 .

[47]  Ching-Hsue Cheng Evaluating naval tactical missile systems by fuzzy AHP based on the grade value of membership function , 1997 .