Researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) have introduced a novel system designed to enhance the management and success of medium to large construction projects. Developed by ECU Lecturer Dr. Neda Kiani Mavi, this machine learning-based decision support system forecasts the likelihood of project success by evaluating key success factors and criteria.

The findings of Dr. Mavi’s research, which were published in the International Journal of Construction Management and Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, highlight the necessity of clearly defining success factors for construction projects. According to Dr. Mavi, “Defining and determining success factors and criteria is essential for accurately measuring project success.”

Her study outlines 19 specific success criteria, organized into five distinct groups: project efficiency, business success, end-user impact, stakeholder impact, and team impact. The research underscores project efficiency as the most significant, with effective risk management identified as a critical component. Dr. Mavi noted, “Efficient risk management enables organizations to allocate resources effectively, which is crucial in managing large-scale projects that often exceed budgets and timelines.”

For instance, her research found that major construction projects, especially those with budgets over $200 million, frequently run over budget by more than 30% and fall behind schedule by over 40%, largely due to poor risk management practices. Yet, with robust and efficient operations management, construction companies can attain profit margins between 20% and 30%.

In Australia, where construction contributes around 20% to the national GDP—over $2.85 trillion—the sector is expected to grow by 5% in the 2023–24 period, according to forecasts by the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF). Despite this growth, the sector faces numerous challenges, including rising inflation, high interest rates, and shifting industrial relations, which compound the inherent complexities and uncertainties of construction projects.

Dr. Mavi emphasized the broader implications of these challenges: “The construction industry’s role in economic development is crucial, yet it is hindered by stagnant productivity growth and escalating risk management pressures. Over the last thirty years, these issues have resulted in an estimated $47 billion in lost opportunities in Australia alone.”