Construction Project Performance Measurement: A Review of the Philosophies, Concepts and Paradigms

Abstract

To ensure construction project performance satisfaction is to manage projects with the ultimate aim of meeting the
required standards predetermined and expected by all stakeholders. The problem is that, what constitute
performance satisfaction has been flawed with obvious misconceptions and is erroneously positioned within the
context of project success or failure dichotomy. This situation is a direct result of the present philosophies, concepts
and paradigms that has nurtured performance measurements in general and project performance measurements in
particular. This paper posits that such a consideration regarding project performance is limiting in its analysis and
lack the power to promote performance improvements which is so badly needed within the construction industry.
Using an analogy of Human health diagnosis, the principles expounded by the two-factor theory of motivation, the
contingency theory and the multidimensional concept, it is conceivable that construction project performance should
be measured with the philosophy that success and failure are not mutually exclusive when it come the assessment of
project performance and that both can, in fact, occur at the same time.