Quantification of Construction Clients' Needs through Paired Comparisons

Abstract

The psychometric technique of paired comparisons was employed to quantify clients' construction project needs. If clients' requirements can be adequately evaluated, projects can be planned with more certainty and be tailored to greater client satisfaction. The research involved 60 clients' ranking of eight project needs: aesthetics, economy, function, quality, working relationships, safety, lack of surprises, and time. Clients' needs were classified broadly into three hierarchical groups: strongly, moderately, and weakly desired. The results showed that quality, safety, and function were the predominant needs. Each client's stated needs should dictate how the dependent variables of design, drafting specifications, selection of contractors, and resource allocation are combined.