Development of an Expert System Tool for the Selection of Procurement System in Large-Scale Construction Projects (ESCONPROCS)

The human knowledge of a specific domain is dissipated either in books and journals or exists in the minds of few human experts. Expert system technology, which is of late becoming an important tool, uses the power of the human brain to store knowledge electronically so that information regarding decision-making can easily be accessed at anywhere and at any time. More often than not most decisions in the industry are based on just subjective decisions. But since each project is different from the other, there is the need to integrate heuristic approach in other to arrive at better decisions. Therefore the system, ESCONPROCS (Expert system for construction procurement selection) which is an expert system tool was developed based on extensive literature review of the available procurement systems as well as clients’ priorities and other external factors that influence the selection of an appropriate procurement system. An expert survey was conducted and their responses were used to provide a recommendation for the rules. The system, ESCONPROCS is developed to assist decision-maker (client) reaches a more informed decision on procurement system selection and contracting.