Owner's Tool for Project Delivery and Contract Strategy Selection

RT-165 developed a PDCS selection procedure which incorporates the following six variables: (RS165-1, p. 4)

1. PDCS alternatives
2. Project objectives
3. Selection factors
4. Analysis approach
5. Relative effectiveness values each alternative with respect to each selection factor
6. Compensation approaches

A two-phase data collection campaign, which consisted of both questionnaires and in-person workshops, resulted in the identification and definition of: (RS165-1, p. 4)

• 12 Project Delivery and Contract Strategy (PDCS) alternatives
• 20 selection factors that drive the selection of the appropriate PDCS

The PDCS selection analysis tool incorporates the “Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique with Swing Weights” (SMARTS) decision analysis technique, which was selected after subjecting several potential methods to analysis using a case-study example. The level of decision-maker effort, the quality of insight generated, and cost were all factors assessed in determining the most suitable decision making technique. (RS165-1, p. 7)

Relative Effectiveness Values for each selection factor, which support the SMARTS decision-making technique, were developed through extensive expert input and evaluation in a series of workshops. The PDCS that most strongly supports the selection factor is given a score of 100, the least effective is scored 0, and the remainder between 0 and 100 based on how strongly (compared to the bookends) they support the selection factor. These are incorporated into the PDCS selection tool. (RS165-1, p. 8)

Default and alternative compensation strategies were identified and documented for each of the 12 PDCS alternatives. (RS165-1, p. 10)

The PDCS selection procedure and decision support tool were tested and validated on 12 projects contributed by RT-165 team members. (RS165-1, p. 11) The testing found:

• The result obtained was appropriate (for the project being tested.)
• Sometimes the result obtained suggest a different approach (versus that actually used by the project.)
• The procedure and tool are an improvement over current practices.
• The procedure and tool provide insight into the selection of PDCS for projects.