Project Performance Assessment Using Modified Project Quarterback Rating System for Indian construction projects

Abstract

The Indian construction industry is facing challenges due to performance shortfalls. Construction projects are highly complex, distinctive, fragmented and do not have well-established performance assessment models to evaluate their project success. This study has focuses on developing a mathematical formulation of construction project performance assessment to suit Indian context by modifying the original PQR model. The original PQR model combines seven performance areas. Though previous studies have identified performance areas that can be used to assess the performance of construction projects, those areas are not comprehensive in indicating overall performance. In addition, major research work is from contractor‟s perspective. Hence, there is a need to contextualize the performance areas that contribute towards the Indian construction industry. To indicate the modification the word modified Project quarterback rating (MPQR) is adopted. MPQR model‟s output is a project score based on performance areas affecting project success and outcome. The objectives set include identifying performance areas for Indian construction industry, integrating all performance areas in MPQR model and validating the MPQR model. The modified model comprises of ten performance areas and twenty-eight performance metrics related to project performance. The study used a mixed method research approach in data collection. The quantitative approach used survey questionnaires and case studies were used to obtain qualitative data from construction projects in India. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was used in analyzing and establishing the relationship between the constructs. The PLS- SEM results show that all performance areas have a significant impact on project performance except productivity which was found to be insignificant. Even though the result shows productivity has no significant impact on performance it impacts construction time and cost overruns, and therefore it should not be ignored. Furthermore, the findings provide that customer relation, safety, schedule, cost, quality, finance, communication and collaboration, environment, productivity and stakeholder satisfaction are impacting project performance. It also emerged that all ten performance areas are important formeasuring project success for Indian construction industry. Case studies also supported this finding. The MPQR model is a comprehensive single score approach that can be utilized to compare performance over different projects. The identification of performance areas can help project management teams to better coordinate projects by analyzing the importance of performance areas. The findings of the study will guide project stakeholders to prioritize their efforts towards achieving excellence in performance.