Development of a decision-making matrix for effective materials management practices on construction projects in Ghana using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Abstract

Construction materials constitute about 60% of the total cost of construction of most building projects. Significant reductions in the cost of projects can be achieved through effective materials management. The aim of the study was to develop a decision-making matrix for effective materials management practices on construction projects in Ghana using analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The specific objectives were to; assess the current construction materials management practices of large-scale construction firms (D1K1 and D2K2) in selected regions in Ghana, determine factors that militate against effective decision making in relation to construction materials management in the Ghanaian construction industry, develop a decision-making matrix for effective materials management practices on construction projects in Ghana using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The study adopted a cross sectional survey design. The target population of the study was site managers/engineers and supervisors employed by D1K1 and D2K2 construction firms. Systematic random sampling was used to select the construction firms whilst purposive sampling technique was used to select the survey respondents and interview participants. The findings of the study revealed that the construction materials management practices adopted by the D1K1 and D2K2 construction firms included; training people on how to reduce waste, daily recording of materials usage on the project, buying efficiently and wisely, obtaining by an ethical means the best value for every money spent, controlling over-ordering and purchasing and tracking materials ordered. In addition, the main factors that militate against effective decision making in relation to materials include; storage, procurement and personnel management issues/factor, inventory and quality control issues/factor, supplier and manufacturing default factor, and communication and system implementation factor. The findings of the study suggest AHP as a promising strategy for addressing challenges to materials management and ensuring significant waste reduction. However, construction firms need to have the requisite human resource and financial resources to bolster the adoption of analytical hierarchy process in materials management within the large-scale construction firms studied. The research recommends optimal training to people in prioritize decision making process and information support systems to effectively and efficiently support material management practices in terms of planning, procurement, storage, usage and waste management in the construction industry.