An Integrated Multicriteria Sorting Methodology with q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Sets for Evaluating the Impacts of Delays on Residential Construction Projects

Abstract

This study offers an integrated evaluation methodology for construction project delay causes viewed as a multicriteria sorting (MCS) problem. Time, cost, and quality were the three project management factors considered as criteria to evaluate 38 identified delay causes. The priority weights were extracted using the integration of Weighted Influence Non-linear Gauge Systems (WINGS) and Level-Based Weight Assessment (LBWA) to capture the inherent interdependencies of the criteria. The sorting of 38 delay causes was performed using FlowSort. To handle the uncertainty and vagueness of the judgments of the decision makers in the evaluation process, q-rung fuzzy orthopair fuzzy sets (q-ROFS) were integrated within the proposed computational framework. The proposed novel q-ROF–WINGS–LBWA–FlowSort method was applied in an actual case study in residential construction projects. The delay causes were categorized under three categories of construction firm vulnerability into four levels of impact. In highly vulnerable construction firms, thirty-five delay causes have a high impact, two have a moderate impact, and one has the least impact. In moderately vulnerable and least-vulnerable construction firms, 32 and 28 delay causes have a medium impact, respectively. The results may provide insights for decision makers in highly vulnerable construction firms, i.e., small companies with limited resources and networks. Layers of sensitivity and comparative analyses were put forward to test the robustness of the approach.