Key Decision-Making Factors Influencing Bundling Strategies: Analysis of Bundled Infrastructure Projects
Publication: Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 29, Issue 2
Abstract
Project bundling is the process of awarding a single contract to several infrastructure projects to address construction, rehabilitation, replacement, or maintenance needs. This novel approach has presented several benefits to the infrastructure industry in terms of time and cost savings as well as enhanced efficiencies in project deliveries. However, due to the relative recency of, and interest in, the project bundling approach, the associated factors impacting the decision-making process are still not well understood. Moreover, little-to-no previous research efforts have particularly focused on the decision-making factors that need to be considered when implementing bundling strategies. To that extent, this paper addresses this knowledge gap through studying the decision-making factors affecting project bundling based on actual case studies that have used bundling strategies. In relation to that, this paper followed an analytical approach that is based on the implementation of network analysis and clustering analysis to explore data collected from bundled projects in the US. First, data was gathered from 30 case studies that relied on bundling strategies to deliver their projects. Based on the collected data, 23 decision-making factors related to project bundling have been identified. Second, network analysis was conducted to quantify the co-occurrences or dependencies among the identified factors. Finally, cluster analysis was used to group or prioritize the factors into highly connected clusters. The findings of this paper showed that the central and most critical decision-making factors that need to be considered when determining project bundling strategies are: geographic proximity; similarity in project types; homogeneity of work types; and condition rating of projects. In addition, the outcomes of this paper highlighted the importance of different decision-making factors in ensuring effective bundling practices. Ultimately, this research adds to the body of knowledge by providing a better understanding of the decision-making factors related to project bundling and determining or prioritizing the factors that agencies need to take into consideration when bundling their projects. To this end, this paper equips project stakeholders with the needed guidance to help them make optimal bundling decisions and capitalize on the benefits of their project bundling strategies.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
This manuscript is based upon work supported by the US Department of Transportation, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R) under Grant No. 69A3551847102 through the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) Region 2 UTC Consortium Led by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Project No. CAIT-UTC-REG68). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agency(ies).
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Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 29 • Issue 2 • June 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 18, 2022
Accepted: Dec 12, 2022
Published online: Jan 31, 2023
Published in print: Jun 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Jun 30, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Business management
- Case studies
- Construction engineering
- Construction industry
- Construction management
- Contracts and subcontracts
- Data analysis
- Data collection
- Decision making
- Engineering fundamentals
- Infrastructure construction
- Methodology (by type)
- Network analysis
- Practice and Profession
- Project management
- Research methods (by type)
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