Project post-evaluation via AHP

Abstract

In engineering projects, especially in developing new technologies, the deviation of the performance from the plan is usually large and quite unknown, unlike commercial construction projects where previous experience considerably reduces uncertainty. We present here an application of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to evaluate a large project involving constructing a new production line. A post-evaluation is presented rather than the usual ex-ante application of AHP: the evaluators were the managers and engineers directly involved with the project. Several criteria were considered such as meeting the schedule and meeting the budget. The criteria were based on the analysis of the problems the project faced. By weighting the various criteria and the various decision-makers' evaluations an overall grade was calculated for the project.