Impact of External Criteria on the Project Delivery System Selection Process: The Case of Quebec Public Projects

Selecting an appropriate Project Delivery System (PDS) remains a critical decision that significantly impacts construction project success. Researchers have categorized the criteria guiding this decision into four groups: project characteristics, project goals, owner preferences, and the external environment. Despite its significance, the external environment criteria remain the least explored. This study addresses this gap by examining these criteria, their interdependencies, and their impact on the PDS selection process. A literature review was conducted, followed by semi-structured interviews with nine experts from a leading public infrastructure owner in Quebec, Canada. A qualitative analysis yielded insights into each external environment criterion and its influence on PDS selection. Using a systems thinking approach, a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) was developed to illustrate interdependencies. Findings highlighted the strong influence of political and economic constraints on PDS selection. Specifically, price inflation and market overheating appeared to disrupt the construction supply chain (CSC) equilibrium and limit the contractor availability. To ensure efficient delivery of public projects and ensure CSC stability, government strategies must align with population needs, industry realities, and the availability of key actors. Finally, collaboration between stakeholders and government entities is crucial to better mitigate external environment challenges.