Best Fit for Common Purpose: A Multi-Stakeholder Design Optimization Methodology for Construction Management

Abstract

Within traditional design processes, decisions are often made based on individualistic values and late-stage assessments conducted on a predefined set of design alternatives potentially leading to suboptimal design decisions and conflicts. The issues are further amplified by the growing complexity of construction project management where an increasing number of stakeholders are involved. To address those issues, a shift is needed towards a collaborative early stage optimization-based design process. The current optimization-based design approaches are not appropriately integrating stakeholders and their preferences in the optimization process and thereby not reflecting the real-life design and construction process. In this study, we present a pioneering multi-stakeholder design methodology combining preference function modeling theory and a priori optimization enabling stakeholders to find the group-optimal design fairly representing their preferences. The application of the developed methodology is demonstrated on a real-life multi-storey building design case. The study provides a novel approach for managing design and construction projects for academic and industry stakeholders. It also sets the foundation for the further development of stakeholder-oriented optimization-based design.

Optimizing Forest-Biomass-Distribution Logistics from a Multi-Level Perspective—Review

“…For example, when combining LCA and multi-stakeholder models in the planning of forest-biomass-distribution logistics for wood processing, it is important to decide whether to consider the ecological impacts associated with forest cultivation, wood production, product manufacturing and use, and waste disposal (ash, low-quality wood, and non-timber waste) to reduce or avoid CO 2 emissions and substitute non-renewable fuels. Parameters outside the scope of the business analysis of forest-biomass-distribution logistics can have a significant impact on the environment [156][157][158].…”