Proposed approach for developing process-based KPIs for project control during the pre-project stage

Abstract

In recent years a great deal of attention has been made to measuring different aspects of construction project performance. Some of the tools used for this purpose are the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The main shortcoming of these however is that most of them are end product oriented and hence are of little use for controlling the project performance while it is in progress. The pre-project stage in construction is where most of the decisions that greatly influence the project as a whole are taken. To be able to monitor and influence the performance of the process at the very beginning of the project is hence very beneficial. This paper describes a theoretical framework for developing KPIs to be used for project control in the pre-project stage. The theoretical framework is based on mapping the sub-processes within the preproject stage and their main activities. The subprocesses subprocesses and their activities are identified using literature and then validated by experts. A system dynamic (SD) approach to model the link between these and the project final objectives is proposed. The paper discusses the basis of the theoretical framework and the research methodology