Selection Criteria for Delivery Methods for Infrastructure Projects

The project delivery method (PDM) greatly influences the project outcome. Design-Build, Construction Management and Design-Bid-Build represent the three main methods. Each PDM comes up with its own advantages and disadvantages which suit different projects in different circumstances. A general literature review and a case specific document study were carried out. Firstly, this paper identifies general criteria for selecting PDM. Secondly, it comes up with specific criteria for selecting the PDM for a large infrastructure project. Due to the project characteristics, the identified specific selection criteria differ from the general selection criteria. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) plans a coastal highway route (E39) along the western coast of Norway covering a total of 1100 km, substituting seven ferry connections, with an estimated cost of 268 billion Norwegian kroner. This project is used as an exemplary case of a large infrastructure project. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge with a list of selection criteria for PDMs aggregated from literature, and points out that this list should be adapted to case specific characteristics before being used to select a PDM