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PurposeAnalyzing different scenarios at the design stage of construction projects has always been a challenging task. One of the main parameters that helps owners in making better decisions in designing their buildings is to look after the cost perspective on different design scenarios. Thus, this study aims to propose a semi-automated BIM-based cost estimation approach that enables practitioners to estimate the cost of projects based on different design scenarios by an accurate and agile system.Design/methodology/approachThis study proposes an integrated framework, through which the cost estimation standard of Iran (FehrestBaha) is linked to the materials quantity take-offs (QTO) from BIM models. The performance of the system is based on connecting the classification standards of UniFormat and MasterFormat to the cost estimation standard of FehrestBaha. A BIM-based extension in the Revit environment is developed to automate the cost estimation process.FindingsTo evaluate the efficiency of the proposed approach in cost estimation, it is implemented to estimate the cost of the architectural discipline in a real construction project. The results indicate that the proposed BIM-based approach estimated the cost of the architectural discipline with an acceptable level of accuracy.Practical implicationsThe proposed approach could be used by practitioners to have an agile and accurate BIM-based cost estimation of different scenarios during design process. The semi-automated system considerably reduces the time of cost estimation in comparison to the traditional manual approaches, particularly in complex structures. Owners are able to easily trace changes in project cost according to any changes in components and materials of the BIM model. Furthermore, the proposed approach provides a practical roadmap for BIM-based cost estimation based on cost estimation standards in different countries.Originality/valueUnlike the traditional manual cost estimation approaches, the proposed BIM-based approach is not highly dependent on the knowledge of experienced estimators, which therefore facilitates its implementation. Furthermore, automating both QTO process and the required calculations in this approach increases the accuracy of cost estimation while decreasing the probability of human errors or omission occurrence.

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Abstract-oday, IS supplier selection is one of the most critical steps in the outsourcing process; the success of outsourcing is highly dependent on the selection of IS suppliers. This paper proposes a new hybrid fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model, which uses decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique, analytic network process (ANP), and Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje(VIKOR) to evaluate four potential suppliers using seven factors and five decision makers using a realistic case study. the results showed that Service support is importance for outsourcing. The proposed model can help practitioners improve their decision making process.Keywords-outsourcing information systems, DEMATEL, ANP, VIKOR, Fuzzy. I. INTRODUCTIONToday, many organizations decide to take advantage of work in the global market, especially in the process of ousting the organization's activities and deciding how to do it (Koschitzki et al, 2006). Because of the role of the information systems strategy as a factor supporting the organization's strategic decisions, the acquisition of advanced and advanced competitive technologies, many organizations have decided to outsource this system (Chen et al, 2011). The evolution of outsourcing Information Technology (IT) Services has been accompanying the movement of technologicalinnovations and the changes in IT governance. This development has motivated organizations to conduct decision-makingintegrating preferences from managers of different sectors in the Enterprise in order to improve the decision process (Morais et al, 2014) Outsourcing has become a common strategy in the information system/information technology (IS/IT)field in recent years. Many organizations attempt to enhance their competitiveness, reduce costs,increase their focus on internal resources and core activities, and sustain competitive advantage by IS/IT outsourcing. Selection of appropriate outsourcing partners is an extremely important goal for organizations (Chen et al, 2011).One of the most outsourcing practices is information system/information technology (IS/IT) outsourcing (Chen et al, 2011).The outsourcing decision is important since the correct selection can dramatically increase a firm's performance (Kahraman et al, 2010).Outsourcing of information systems is a strategic way to balance technology and business goals, as well as a way to reduce operating costs in today's complex business environment (Lacityet al. 2009).But most organizations have failed to achieve their outsourcing goals (Chen et al, 2011).nowadays the most difficult process is how to decide in order to choosean alternative for outsourcing IT service within an Enterprise, taking into account the points of view from differentmanagers. supporting a group decision-making becomes intensely difficult due to the presence ofmultiple actors each with their own perceptions of the way the problem should be handled and the decision made (Matsatsinis et al, 2005) How to make scientific IS outsourcing decisions ...