Relative Influence of Management and Site Factors on the Cost of Poor Quality: A Fuzzy AHP Study of Egyptian Construction Projects

This research examines the key determinants of the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) in construction projects through the application of the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (F-AHP). A total of 52 variables were systematically classified into two overarching categories: Management-Related Factors and Site/Technical Factors, each further divided into five sub-groups. Data collection was conducted via structured expert interviews, yielding 124 valid responses. The F-AHP approach was adopted to address the inherent uncertainty and subjectivity in expert evaluations, thereby enabling the precise weighting of the identified factors. The results of this study indicate that management-related factors constitute the primary drivers of the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), contributing 51.53% of the total aggregated factor weight, while site and technical factors account for 48.49%. This distribution confirms that strategic-level deficiencies—particularly those related to planning, procurement decisions, leadership effectiveness, and human resource capability—exert a more substantial influence on COPQ than operational-level site coordination issues. By systematically identifying and prioritizing the root causes of poor quality, this study provides practical guidelines for construction contractors to enhance project quality performance, optimize resource utilization, and minimize rework costs. Ultimately, the research contributes to bridging a critical knowledge gap by integrating expert judgment with F-AHP analysis, thereby offering evidence-based strategies for reducing COPQ in construction projects.