GROUP DECISION SUPPORT FOR VALUE MANAGEMENT

S. D. GREEN and S. J. SIMISTER

Department of Construction Management & Engineering, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 219, Reading, RG6 6AW, UK

Abstract

This paper outlines a revised theoretical framework for value management based on the principles of group decision support (GDS). In contrast to the currently dominant paradigm of value management, the concept of GDS is based on an underlying ontological position of social constructivism. It is contended that the existing positivist paradigm is only applicable to well-defined technical problems which can be specified in advance. GDS differs in that it recognises that the problems which characterise the early stages of building design often defy any attempt at pre-definition. The articulation of the GDS paradigm is seen to have important implications for the discipline of building economics. It is asserted that building economists have traditionally failed to provide clients with effective group decision support as a result of their reluctance to leave the sanctuary of the rational high ground. The paper identifies three GDS methodologies which are currently untested for the purposes of value management within the context of building design. An ongoing research project is described which seeks to propagate the use of GDS methodologies in practice. The research is not concerned with revealing 'objective truths', but with establishing the GDS paradigm by means of a dialectic debate with practitioners. The validity of the adopted methodology must therefore be judged in accordance with the principles of naturalistic inquiry. Preliminary results are encouraging in that the research has already achieved changes in the way that value management is implemented in the UK construction industry.

Keywords: Group decision support, value management, briefing, building economics, methodology.