Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.248.9.226/handle/123/18715

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Now showing 1 - 12 of 12

item: Thesis-Abstract
Developing a framework to avoid disputes in construction projects : a perspective of project characteristics
(2022) Francis M; Ramachandra T
Disputes continue to exist in the construction industry for several decades and affect the cost, time and quality of the projects. Worse still, it results in severe consequences such as abandonment of projects and bankruptcy of contractors. This encouraged the construction industry to step towards dispute prevention with the viewpoint of the causes of disputes. It is evident that the root causes could be well addressed through project characteristics at the early stage of a construction project. Further, disputes are more frequent in project contexts such as large scale, highly complex and traditionally procured. In addition, the dispute avoidance strategies such as allocating fair risk contracts and team building could be related to the procurement method. Therefore, this study aimed at developing a strategic framework to avoid disputes in the Sri Lankan construction projects from the perspective of project characteristics. A mixed approach was adopted where a questionnaire and projects which experienced disputes were surveyed to collect data. Initially, questionnaires were administered to a sample of 78 experienced professionals including quantity surveyors, project managers, adjudicators and arbitrators who dealt with disputes in construction projects. Subsequently, a total of 44 building projects which experienced disputes and referred to alternative dispute resolution methods of either negotiation or adjudication or arbitration were studied by referring to relevant project documents such as contract documents, project summary reports, arbitration and adjudication referrals, claims documents and other project correspondences. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted among experts who involved in the resolution of disputes of the said projects. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The questionnaire survey offered 32 causes and 9 project characteristics which significantly contributed to disputes in general. Consistently, both questionnaire survey and detailed investigation into projects revealed that the salient causes of disputes are payment delays, ambiguities in documents, and scope changes while project characteristics that significantly contribute to disputes are the degree of design complexity, time constraints, procurement method, size of the project, type of client, site factors, standard form of contract, source of funding and project cost. In addition, the study revealed that the strategies such as drafting dispute resolution provisions in the contract, practice of negotiation, standing adjudication, proper documentation and early contractor involvement could minimise disputes in construction projects. The survey of projects revealed that payment delays can be influenced by the type of client, cost/size of project and source of funding while ambiguities in the document can be correlated with the standard form of contract. The research further offered that the scope changes are critical in projects where high design complexity, design & build procurement method and large scale are in place. The findings revealed that the dispute avoidance strategies of drafting dispute resolution clauses, practice of negotiation, provision for standing adjudication and proper documentation can be correlated to the use of standard form of contract whereas early contractor involvement and third-party review of design can be correlated to procurement method. Thus, the research recommends the project stakeholders to adopt appropriate avoidance strategies by giving due consideration to project characteristics of the given context.
item: Thesis-Full-text
A model for forecasting the running costs of commercial buildings in Sri Lanka
(2020) Devindi HGM; Ramachandra T
Conventionally, early-stage investment decisions on buildings were purely based on initial capital costs and simply ignored running costs and total lifecycle cost. This was basically due to the absence of estimating models that yield running costs at the early design stage. Often, when the design of a building, which is responsible for 10 to15% of its total cost, is completed, 80% of the total cost is committed. This study, therefore, aims to develop a model based on building characteristics, which enable an early-stage determinant of running costs of buildings, to predict the running costs of commercial buildings. While positioning this research in a positivist research paradigm, a survey research strategy was adopted along with a questionnaire survey and a documentary review for data collection. The study involved 135 respondents for identifying factors influencing the running costs of commercial buildings and 46 commercial buildings were accessed to collect running costs and building characteristics data. A Pareto analysis, relative significance index (RSI), bivariate correlation analysis, regression modelling, and hedonic price imputation index were performed on collected data. The RSI confirmed, eight categories of running costs factors: environmental, maintenance, managerial, building characteristics, building design and construction defects, social, tenant, and political, respectively. Among 48 sub-factors identified, the study confirmed, natural deterioration, failure to identify the true cause of a defect, lack of preventive maintenance, insufficient fund, building services, building age, occupancy, vandalism by tenants, misuse of property, expectation of tenants have a substantial impact on running costs. According to the Pareto analysis, utilities (39%), services (19%), admin work (14%), and cleaning (8%) are four main cost constituents, responsible for 80% of running costs, which can be represented by highly correlated building characteristics of the number of floors (0.950), building height (0.945), and building size (0.943). Approximately 94% of the variance in annual running costs/GIFA (sq.m) is expressed by variables of net floor area, the number of floors, and working hours/day together with a mean prediction accuracy of -1.6%. The index constructed revealed, there is an increasing trend of running costs of commercial buildings in Sri Lanka, in office and bank buildings particularly, over the last recent years. Further, a noticeable increase in running cost can be observed during the first quarter while there is a slight reduction in the second quarter of each year. Early-stage supportive running costs estimation model proposed by the study would enable construction professionals to benchmark the running costs and thereby optimise the building design. The developed hedonic model illustrated the variance of running costs concerning the changes in characteristics of a building. While facilitating early-stage running costs estimation, the study findings collectively support building owners, designers and constructors, and facilities managers to optimize the in-use phase costs of a commercial building in terms of designing and constructing cost-effective, sustainable facilities by altering building characteristics during its’ design stage as well as carefully considering the significant running costs factors during its’ in-use phase. Keywords: Building characteristics, Commercial buildings, Hedonic price imputation
item: Thesis-Full-text
Assessment of sustainable facilities management (SFM) practice in health care (HC) organisations in Sri Lanka
(2020) Sabrina NF; Ramachandra T; Gunatilake S
Health Care is one of the most polluting industries and recognised as the second energy-intensive sector, emitting 8% out of total 40% of total carbon emissions. Integrating sustainability into Facilities Management (FM) is imperative and could significantly contribute to reduce energy consumption, waste and day-to-day operational costs. The integration of sustainability into FM practices is challenging as it depends on many varied factors such as facility type, organisational scale, characteristics, and business sector. Therefore, this research aims to develop a framework to assess the performance of sustainable FM practice with a specific focus on HC organisations. A Delphi survey and a questionnaire survey were administered. Delphi survey conducted among 10 experts in 3 rounds, who are specialised in FM and sustainable practices in HC organisations. Whereas, questionnaire survey was conducted among 57 FM practitioners in the same HC context. Data gathered from the Delphi survey was analysed using the consensus of participants whilst descriptive method namely; mean, Relative Importance Index (RII) and a mathematical framework were used to analyse the questionnaire survey. The study found 9 FM services and 50 sustainable practices as significant. Amongst, FM services namely “building services (BS)”, “project planning (PP)” and “quality management (QM)” and sustainable practices “identify applications for energy-saving”, “renewable energy sources”, “treat infectious wastes” and “execute HC waste management plan”, were the topmost significant. Furthermore, the relevancy of the sustainable practices in achieving the principles of sustainability matched with the “concentric approach” of triple bottom line concept. Finally, the research aim was accomplished with the development of a web-based application to assess SFM practice. There is a dearth of literature that integrates sustainable FM practices in HC organisation and this study fulfils this research gap. The study is novel in offering a framework to integrate sustainability and assess the SFM practice in HC organisations
item: Thesis-Full-text
Framework for lean implementation in construction processes
Thilakarathna, NRK; De Silva, LM; Senarathne, S; Sandanayaka, Y
Framework for Lean Implementation in Construction Processes Non Value Adding Activities (NVAAs) generated in a construction process are recognized as one ofits major weaknesses since they adversely affect its performance and efficiency and produce unwanted cost. Activities that do not add value to the final product are merely a waste and need to be minimized or eliminated altogether. The major reason for our inability to minimize NVAAs is our failure to recognize them. Most ofthe NVAAs are intangible and invisible. Only a few attempts have so far been made to minimize the NVAAs in construction processes. Lean construction is one of the attempts made to apply lean production principles to the construction industry to minimize NVAAs in its construction processes management approach which is linked closely to the overall life of a project to ensure its success. Lean construction is still new to many in the construction industry in the world. There is no minimize NVAAs and this research aims to develop such a framework for implementing lean techniques in the construction industry in the country in order to minimize its non-value adding activities. It will also propose a tool for determining the lean maturity of a construction project by assessing the extent to which lean techniques have been applied in that project. A detailed literature review was carried out to investigate lean implementation in construction processes towards developing a conceptual framework by identifying the research gap and the approach that has to be used to fill the gap by implementing lean techniques. This conceptual framework was improved through an opinion survey. Quantitative research techniques were adopted to collect data from three different surveys. Findings of the first survey revealed with examples, the existence of non-value adding activities in construction processes in the construction industry in Sri Lanka with the second survey revealing their level of implementing the lean techniques. The findings of the third survey map non-value adding activities against lean techniques and emphasize the need for developing a framework for implementing lean techniques that will minimize NVAAs in the construction processes. Based on the data collected from the three surveys, a framework for implementing lean techniques and a tool for assessing lean maturity of a construction project were developed. The framework and the tool were thereafter validated through an expert survey. The study concludes by identifying the significance of implementing the most suitable lean techniques in different stages of construction processes that will make them lean with minimum waste thereby ensuring their long term sustainability
item: Thesis-Abstract
Framework to identify occupational health and safety initiatives for different ethical climates
Rathnayake, RMNU; Sandanayake, Y; Karunasena, G
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is of vital importance in apparel industry due to its labour intensity. Poorly managed OSH can negatively impact the organisational growth in numerous ways. According to past research, more than 80% of the OSH issues occur due to the employee behaviours related causes, and it is the ethical climate of an organisation that guides the employee to decide upon the right and wrong behaviours at work. Hence, it is essential to identify the ethical climates that may exist in apparel firms and formulate suitable OSH strategies accordingly to guide employee behaviours in managing OSH. Thus, this research was aimed on developing a framework to identify suitable health and safety initiatives for different ethical climates in apparel industry in Sri Lanka. A mixed method approach was selected to carry out the study, considering the nature of this investigation. The OSH issues, their causes, and the ethical climate(s) that can exist in organisations were identified through a literature survey. A situational context analysis was conducted using case study strategy, to investigate OSH issues, their causes, and the ethical climate(s) related to the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Three (03) cases were selected from the medium and large-scale apparel manufacturing organisations in Sri Lanka. These case studies led to find twenty-seven causes of OSH issues, and most of those were worker behaviour related causes. The questionnaire survey conducted within the cases confirmed that different ethical climates exist in the Sri Lankan apparel industry, while principled-local climate is the most common. An expert survey was conducted with thirty (30) OSH experts in apparel industry to identify the suitable health and safety initiatives for different ethical climates By integrating all the research findings, a framework was developed to assist the industry practitioners to identify the prevailing ethical climate in the organisation, based on which the best suited health and safety initiative(s) to the organisation can be selected. As the framework directs the firm towards the best fit, the investment on the health and safety initiatives will be secured. By using the framework in designing safety initiatives, the organisation can expect well behaved workforce in terms of OSH. Further, this study adds to the knowledge on the OSH issues, causes for such issues, prevailing ethical climates in the Sri Lankan apparel industry, and the health and safety initiatives suitable for different ethical climates.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Exploring safety culture maturity of small and medium scale raw rubber processing enterprises in Sri Lanka
(2019) Dissanayake DMPP; Gunatilake S
Workplace safety in small and medium scale raw rubber processing organisations has been a neglected subject, though this sector is still a major foreign exchange contributor to the national economy in Sri Lanka. Previous researches have highlighted that these organisations have not taken substantial efforts in ensuring safety in their workplaces. This negligence has resulted in numerous safety issues and fatalities, leading the industry to such a point that, ultimately, the workers have to pay with their lives. Existing literature suggested that strengthening a robust safety culture as one method of addressing safety related issues since it has the potential to provide an umbrella for safety issues. However, an in-depth investigation on safety culture maturity is needed as the first step in the journey to safety culture excellence. Although many newspaper articles disclosed the current safety issues of raw rubber processing organisations in Sri Lanka, a holistic understanding on safety culture maturity has not yet been provided. This is because, first, many of the news articles are based only on a particular incident or accident. Second and more significantly, maturity of safety culture is generally determined based on the maturity of safety culture manifestations and the existing situation has not been researched yet. To address this knowledge gap, this research aims to explore the safety culture maturity of small and medium scale raw rubber processing enterprises in Sri Lanka. The study used a qualitative case study methodology underpinned by interpretivist philosophical assumptions to address to the same. Firstly, an in-depth review of literature was carried out to conceptualise the safety culture and safety culture maturity for this study. Due to the lack of literature available in this regard in the raw rubber processing sector, informal interviews were conducted with experts, owners and workers of the raw rubber processing sector to ascertain the relevance and applicability of manifestations identified from literature to the raw rubber processing sector. Findings from the literature review and informal interviews were used to develop a conceptual framework including four levels that can be used to explore safety culture maturity. Two cases were selected from leading small and medium scale raw rubber processing enterprises in Sri Lanka. Data was collected using four techniques (i.e. semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, observations and documentation review) allowing adequate data triangulation followed by ample data saturation during case analysis. Code based content analysis was used in data analysis. In this study, safety culture was viewed as “How people feel (psychological)’, ‘What people do (behavioural)’ and ‘What the organisations has’ (managerial) in relation to safety”. Thus, these safety culture manifestations were analysed following the three levels of coding as open coding, axial coding and selective coding, to determine the current behaviour of psychological, behavioural and managerial manifestations. Abstract findings of the analysis were then mapped with characteristics of each safety culture maturity level (i.e. Pathological, Reactive, Calculative, Proactive and Generative) using the developed conceptual framework to determine the level of maturity. The study found that level of safety culture maturity of the raw rubber processing enterprises mainly fell into the ‘pathological’ level, with only a handful manifestations identified as displaying the characteristics of ‘reactive’ ‘calculative’, ‘proactive’ levels. This research mainly contributed to the existing knowledge domain of safety culture in general and safety culture maturity of raw rubber processing organisations. The knowledge generated through this research can be used by respective industry practitioners in Sri Lankan rubber industry, owners of raw rubber processing organisations, research institutes in Sri Lankan rubber industry and relevant government bodies as a basis to get an understanding on the status of safety culture maturity of small and medium scale raw rubber processing organisations in Sri Lanka. Also, the findings of this study facilitate them to focus on improvement efforts that should be taken to move from current maturity level to next levels of maturity and ultimately to the generative level, in the journey to a robust safety culture.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Developing a model to predict unsafe behaviour of construction workers in Sri Lanka
Manjula, NHC; de Silva, N
The construction industry is known to be one of the most accident-prone of work sectors around the globe. Although the construction output is less in Sri Lanka, compared to developed countries in general, the magnitude of the accident rate in the construction industry is significantly high. Most of the occupational accidents happen due to the unsafe behaviour of the workers. Along with this revelation, behaviour based safety has emerged as an effective approach to ensure occupational safety. The principal step of behaviour based safety approach involves the identification of the unsafe behaviour of the workers. The research, therefore, focused on investigating factors influencing construction workers’ unsafe behaviour and developing a model to predict unsafe behaviour originated from those factors. Quantitative research strategy was selected to carry out the study considering the nature of this investigation. The acts characterising the unsafe behaviour of construction workers, and the factors influencing those were identified through a literature survey. A pilot study was undertaken to validate and generalise the literature findings to the Sri Lankan construction industry. Fifteen unsafe acts those characterise the unsafe behaviour and fourteen factors those influence the unsafe behaviour were identified relevant to the local context. A survey approach was used to collect data. C1 grade building construction organisations were selected as the sampling framework. Twenty organisations were chosen within Colombo district to gather information from construction workers. The processed data were used to develop and train an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) predictive model that could predict unsafe behaviour of a construction worker with respect to a score. Backpropagation architecture using Neuroph Studio software was employed to develop the predictive model. 277 data points taken from the survey were used to train the network. The architecture of the trained model was demonstrated by conducting a sensitivity analysis. Mean Absolute Error was the technique used in this process. Sensitivity analysis showed that the model is highly sensitive to the neuron corresponding to “education”, while the lowest sensitivity was evident for the neuron corresponding to “employee involvement in safety”. The results suggests that educational level of a worker has the highest influence on his unsafe behaviour at work. Similarly, the co-workers’ involvement in safety on site has the lowest influence on unsafe behaviour of a worker. Furthermore, the predictive model was validated for generalisability using seven data points those were not used in training the network. The findings depict that the performance of the model is accurate due to high generalisation capabilities in the validation session. The model serve as a prototype tool to determine the unsafe behaviour level of construction workers and their safety training needs. This model can further be employed as a tool to proactively design interventions to avoid or minimise occupational accidents based on the unsafe behaviour levels of construction workers.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Study of built environment factors influencing occupants' productivity : green certified office buildings in Sri Lanka
(2016-09-14) Mallawaarachchi, BH; De Silva, L
Building occupants seek to be comfortable and productive in their workplace. Occupants with local control over their environment generally have an improvement in their work effort and productivity. However, work productivity of occupants may be de-motivated and interrupted due to poor environmental conditions. Thus, the intervention to ensure a healthy working environment should always be the first step towards improving productivity. In the governing concern on improving occupant‘s working environment, Green Building movement is fast becoming a necessity. Many researchers said that there is a potential link between green building environment and occupants‘ productivity. However, most of them have focused only on single aspects of the built environment. Further, no evidences were found on to which factors can critically influence occupants‘ productivity in green built environment. Further, different factors can have different degree of influence on occupants‘ productivity where it still remains debatable. In this context, this research intends to identify built environment factors critical for occupants‘ productivity in green buildings and their degree of influence. Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate the built environment factors critical for green buildings and their degree of influence on occupants‘ productivity in green certified office buildings in Sri Lanka. Two research hypotheses were tested by approaching the survey method under the quantitative phenomenon. The questionnaire survey was conducted among randomly selected occupants in green certified office buildings in Sri Lanka. The survey data was analysed by using the Spearman‘s Correlation and Ordinal Logistic Regression analysis techniques to modeling the relationships of research variables. The SPSS v20 software was used in data analysis. The findings confirm the relationship between built environment and occupants‘ productivity. According to the results of correlation, five factors such as; system control, open plan office design, air quality, acoustical partitioning and amount of space were selected as critical built environment factors which showed statistically significant monotonic correlation to occupants‘ productivity. It was further verified thorough ordinal regression analysis. As the test results verify, an improvement of the system controls, air quality, acoustical partitioning and amount of space in green buildings may increase the perceived productivity of occupants whilst open plan office design showed negative association. According to the calculation of exponential values of log-odds in the model, air quality is 5.783 times, system control is 1.822 times, acoustical partitioning is 16.428 times, open plan office design is 0.038 times and amount of space is 63.434 times more likely effect to result in much higher level of occupants‘ productivity. The research findings were implied as a basis to evaluate the Indoor Environment Quality criteria in national green certification. Accordingly, probable enhancements were proposed to enhance the existing criteria.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Critical analysis of alternative dispute resolution methods used in the construction industry in Sri Lanka
(2015-07-09) Abeynayake, MDTE; Weddikkara, C
Critical Analysis of Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods used in the Construction Industry in Sri Lanka Construction disputes are of highly technical in nature and in fact intensive and multifaceted than other commercial disputes. With reference to the literature review, it is obvious that disputes in construction industry are may occur in certain circumstances. With the increase in construction activities in Sri Lanka, the construction industry of Sri Lanka needs a fast and cost effective dispute resolution method. The litigation method is the traditional way of dispute resolution and drawbacks of litigation have opened up the ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution’ (ADR) methods. The desirable features of ADR methods are fast, inexpensive, fair, simple, flexibility, confidentiality, minimum delay. However, ADR methods are also having issues like drawbacks and pitfalls apart from their respective advantages. This research attempts to address the issues and conflicting areas of ADR methods in the Sri Lankan construction industry. Attempts have been made to identify and analyse problematic areas which are highly influencing the ADR methods. The aim of this research is to evaluate ADR methods and suggest improvements to the ADR methods in the Sri Lankan construction industry. This research is the result of surveys that were conducted to understand the experiences and usages of ADR methods. Two rounds of Delphi method surveys were conducted in order to identify priorities and to observe the extended review of panel of industry experts who were engaged in ADR methods in the construction industry. The panel consisted the ADR facilitators, professionals, consultants, resource persons and contractors. Fifteen problematic areas and twelve potential solutions for improvements of ADR methods were identified during the Delphi survey round one. They were prioritised during Delphi method survey round two. Semi-structured interviews were used to get the extended view of the panel on top ten issues which were ranked in Delphi round two. A pivotal conclusion of this research is that the stakeholders in the construction industry prefer “negotiation” as an ADR method. Usages and awareness about negotiation were highly appreciated by the construction industry professionals. Professionals had a low level of satisfaction on the current practice of arbitration. Overall expectation of the construction industry by application of ADR methods is to settle disputes within a minimal time without damaging the reputation of involved parties. It should cater to that expectation by bridging the gaps such as not having a governing authority for ADR methods and also lower knowledge and awareness about ADR methods and in a case not having legal assent for some methods and low direction in standards conditions of contract. In this research ADR methods have been ranked as importance of critical attributes in ADR methods. It was revealed that construction industry expects quick remedy on than the less cost solution. It further revealed that the modernized stair-step model of dispute resolution strategy is the best. The research further makes recommendations in order to make ADR methods more effective and efficient.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Risk identification and risk handling in construction: a consideration of the project life cycle in sri lankan road project
(2014-06-05) Perera, BAKS; Rameezdeen R; De Silva ML
Delays are common in all type of construction projects and therefore delays are very significant for all types of construction projects. Mainly the fault or mistake is by client, architect,contractor and other stakeholders. The delay is considered as a widespread crisis in construction projects. The delay occurs as a result of an act or failure to act by contracting parties as well as by outside forces. Sri Lankan construction industry faces a significant rate of delays in project delivery. The causes of delays in construction in Sri Lankan have been identified and have been addressed individually by stakeholders. However, the delay occurs in almost all projects in Sri Lanka continuously.The purpose of this research was to identify the most significant causes of delays in construction in Sri Lanka. Following an in-depth review of literature's in various parts of the world, 44 causes of was first formulated. These identified causes were presented, based on Delphi technique, to a panel of experts from construction industry consisting of Senior Quantity Surveyors, Senior Project Managers, Senior Architects and Senior Engineers who are playing a managerial role. The experts were requested to express their opinion on the level of significance on each cause and the results were statistically summarized. It was observed that there are eight most significant causes of delays exist in Sri Lankan construction projects viz.; poor planning and scheduling, delay in obtaining permits and permissions,poor site management, design deficiencies, suspension of works by owner, contractor's financial difficulties, variations and slow decision making by owner. Out of these ten causes,poor planning and scheduling has recorded extremely significant and all other seven causes have recorded as very significant. The findings were slightly different to those of previous studies in other countries.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Achieving the best value through environmental sustainable construction : integrated process model
Manewa, RMAS
Value Management (VM) and Environmental Sustainability (ES) are increasingly becoming important tools to be considered in construction. VM is one of the recognized techniques that made substantial cost savings on construction projects and sustainability is about delivering better long term value for the built environment and its inhabitants. The attention on ES issues in VM remains untapped area due to scarcity of information. Theoretically, the intrinsic capabilities and the positive relationships between these two heighten VM position as an effective means for sustainability improvements. The purpose of this research study is to identify how the ES criteria could be incorporated into the VM process and it's acceptability by the construction clients. The research is focused on a development of a process model by combining both ES and the best value criteria to select construction materials. The research was placed in qualitative research philosophies as the aim was to generate rich data from the experiences of VM team to find the means of ES delivery in VM. This -research begins from the data gathered through a comprehensive literature review and unstructured interviews. Based on the literature review the Integrated Process Model (IPM) was developed. The developed model was tested through multiple case studies to find the client's acceptance towards the environment favourable material selection. It was found 47% of materials derived from the IPM are purely matching with the client's choice. By adopting this process model at the very early stages of material selection the acceptance can be improved further. The research can concluded that the VM and ES can be incorporated through the Integrated Process Model to select construction materials. Further the model has the high level of acceptance among the construction clients and the early application of the model provides multiple benefits to the project stakeholders. Key Words: Best Value, Value Management, Environment Sustainability, Construction Materials, Integrated Process Model
item: Thesis-Abstract
Study of factors affecting the selection of procurement systems in construction industry : a multi - criteria decision support model
Shiyamini, R; Rameezdeen R
The procurement system is a key means through which the client creates pre-conditions for successful achievement of project specific objectives. Different procurement systems are used for different projects and the correct choice may help to avoid problems and be the key to the attainment of project specific goals. Procurement selection therefore received much attention from researchers in recent past. In dealing which procurement system to apply, there is a need to take into consideration various factors from the projects' internal and external environment in Which the industry operates. Therefore, a systematic and realistic approach for the selection of best procurement system is critical to the success of any project thus to achieve the clients' ultimate goals and ensure value for money. As far as the Sri Lankan construction industry is concerned, project procurement seems to be one of the key areas which have to be developed to a great extent. Majority of the public and private sector projects are procured through traditional procurement system, especially by Measure and Pay. The number of different types of procurement systems used in Sri Lanka is less when compared to other developing countries. Therefore, there is a need to explore new ways of delivering construction projects. Further, in Sri Lanka, the practice of procurement selection seems to be rather unstructured and ad hock. There is no logical & consistent approach is used to select an appropriate procurement system for a particular project. Therefore, a development and application of such approach for the selection is essential to aid the clients in selecting most appropriate procurement system. In this context, the major aim of this study is to develop a Decision Support System for the procurement selection which is useful for the construction client sand their consultants who often involve in procurement selection by the quickest and ad hoc methods without being fully aware of the various factors and alternative procurements options. The attempt to develop such a Decision Support System is based on the review of alternative approaches developed over the past decade and the current practice of procurement Selection in construction industry. This study has adopted the Delphi technique together with MAUT to develop the model. These two techniques were used to facilitate a more systematic and consistent approach in the selection process, hence improving objectivity and reducing subjectivity in decision making. Four rounds of Delphi survey were carried out to investigate the most significant factors and their level of influence on various construction procurement systems. From the third and fourth round of Delphi, final set of selection criteria was determined and the utility values for each factor against various procurement systems were derived. Based on the selection criteria and the utility values, a Multi Attribute Utility model was developed. The special feature of this Decision support model is the inclusion of a set of exclusive selection criteria at macro level and wide range of various procurement options. The outcome of the model was evaluated for its applicability and efficiency with the use of case studies and an expert opinion survey. The implementation of this model to aid procurement selection is advocated to place the client in best possible position to select correct method of procurement for his project at a particular circumstance. The model has the potential to assist the clients/his consultants and it seeks to overcome any inconsistency in the effective decision making process. Finally, the evaluated model was further enhanced to a Computer Aided Decision Support System(DSS). DSS allows users to make intelligent and informed decisions on selection of procurement routes for various building projects. It also provides an interactive and automated system for procuring construction projects in timely manner. The expert opinion survey, which targeted to validate the model, revealed that the DSS provides assistance in initial decision making on project procurement selection to construction clients of the construction industry. DSS can be effectively used by the industry clients only through further development of a fully functional system key words: Construction Procurement, Procurement selection, Multiple criteria model, Decision Support Systems,

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