Abstract Due to the fundamental role of bridges in transportation networks and in accordance with the limited budgets for bridge management, there is a need to prioritize bridge maintenance projects. Developing an effective maintenance plan is a challenging decision-making problem as transport infrastructures are integrated into society. Bridge maintenance must not only meet technical demands but also meet the needs of societal and economic developments. Therefore, this study proposes a comprehensive framework for network-level bridge maintenance management using multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods. The model evaluates bridge projects against twelve factors classified into four groups. This framework integrates the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and measurement of alternatives and ranking according to compromise solution (MARCOS) under the Fermatean fuzzy environment to capture the uncertainty and vagueness in the prioritization process. The Fermatean fuzzy AHP approach is used to calculate the weights of these factors, with structural factors receiving the highest weight (38.7%), followed by strategic importance factors (21.9%), economic and social factors (19.9%), and functional factors (19.5%). Then, the Fermatean fuzzy MARCOS is used to find the ranking of the alternatives. The proposed model is applied to thirteen case study bridges located in Baghdad, Iraq, to demonstrate the model’s practicality and feasibility. Finally, sensitivity analysis has been performed to test the robustness and validity of the obtained results. The main contribution of this study is in presenting how MCDM methods provide a systematic approach to improve bridge maintenance planning by making use of available data, considering multiple conflicting factors, decision makers’ preferences, and the uncertainty inherent in the decision-making process.

Bridges are considered critical components of transportation infrastructure and play an integral role in public welfare and economic development. Bridge authorities in Iraq face multiple challenges in maintaining the efficiency and serviceability of the bridge network while developing a maintenance plan within limited budgets. Thus, this study aims to develop a systematic condition assessment methodology as a tool to prioritize maintenance projects and optimize available budgets to enhance the management of bridge networks. For this purpose, the bridge structure is broken down into four components: deck, superstructure, substructure, and accessories, and each component is divided into a number of elements. Bridge maintenance experts were surveyed to assign weights for the identified components and elements using the Fermatean fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FF-AHP). The weighted averaging approach was then used to aggregate components' condition ratings with expert-determined weights to obtain the overall Bridge Condition Index (BCI) of each bridge. Bridges with the lowest BCI get higher priority for maintenance. The proposed methodology was applied to thirteen bridges in Baghdad to demonstrate its practicality. The results indicate its reliability and capability to evaluate and rank bridges based on their urgency for maintenance. The proposed method would help bridge engineers and policymakers to make informed maintenance investment decisions during the budget allocation process.

This study investigated the challenges of implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in residential complexes in Iraq. The research will aim at determining the most prominent challenges that have affected the implementation of BIM, evaluating the challenges based on the perceptions of the professionals, and presenting practical insights that can be used to realize successful implementation. The mixed-method research design was applied, and it included the literature review, expert interviews, and a questionnaire survey of 67 professionals who were involved in the construction projects. The identified challenges were ranked using the collected data with the help of Reliability testing and Relative Importance Index (RII). The findings are that the most threatening impediments to BIM implementation are the human and organizational factors. Particularly, the technical unawareness and BIM perception, along with the insufficiency of training and competence, were put first on the list of the most crucial challenges. Further, there was poor senior management support and the absence of an enabling organizational environment, which was noted to be a barrier to BIM adoption. Financial and infrastructural issues, such as the software and the internet connectivity, on the other hand, were considered to have a lesser effect. The conclusion is that the successful use of BIM in residential complexes in Iraq should be oriented on a complex approach with capacity building, organizational commitment and the development of effective national policies and regulatory frameworks to support the digital revolution in housing industry.

PurposeBridge asset managers face challenges in maintaining the efficiency of bridge networks under limited budgets. Although several models have been developed around the world to prioritize bridges for maintenance, there are still limited studies investigating the factors influencing bridge maintenance prioritization, especially in developing countries. This study aims to address this gap by identifying the factors influencing bridge maintenance prioritization in Iraq.Design/methodology/approachA literature review was conducted to identify the factors. Six experts from the Iraqi Public Authority for Roads and Bridges (PARB) refined the list to 32 factors via semi-structured interviews. A questionnaire survey was then carried out. In total, 46 responses were received and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential methods. Descriptive analysis involved computing the mean values, while the inferential analysis employed the one-sample t-test and one-way ANOVA.FindingsAccording to the survey findings, the top five significant factors influencing bridge maintenance prioritization in Iraq were bridge condition, traffic volume, human-related risk, bridge location, and maintenance cost. In addition, the result indicated that all experts from different parties (i.e. clients, consultants and contractors) had a good consensus on the relative importance of all priority factors.Originality/valueLiterature shows a lack of studies investigating the factors influencing bridge maintenance prioritization (especially in Iraq). This study represents the first attempt to fill this gap by identifying technical, functional, socioeconomic and environmental factors influencing prioritization in Iraq. This study extends the existing body of knowledge and practice and supports transportation departments in making informed investment decisions under limited budgets.

The systematic review of Business Information Modeling (BIM) plays a crucial role in understanding its significance and impact. This review allows for a comprehensive examination of the existing literature, highlighting the benefits, challenges, and success factors associated with BIM. There is a scarcity of studies dealing with this subject, and so a question about the most important advantages that will be obtained by the construction industry, especially the construction companies, as a result of the BIM application arises. Relevant previous studies were reviewed and their quality was evaluated using a systematic methodology. The current study was characterized by the use of the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis technique. As far as is known, the current study is the first of its kind in the field of Iraqi project management. The results suggest that the BIM benefits include firm's growth, organizational performance, enhanced market value, employee motivation, and service quality.

The employment of Business Information Modeling (BIM) may assist the resident engineering department in reaching its long-term strategic goals. The suggested computer software was created and tested using the first package of new projects for roads, bridges, and tunnels aimed at solving the traffic congestion crisis taking place in the capital city of Iraq, Baghdad. In the context of the current study, questionnaires and personal interviews with specialists in the field of road, tunnel, and overpass construction were employed. The aim of implementing BIM is to assess the introduced program’s efficiency, verify its performance, and identify any errors, defects, or challenges that users may encounter during its application. The computer program underwent successful testing at several Resident Engineer's Offices (REOs) within the initial package of new projects aimed at addressing traffic congestion issues in Baghdad through independent verification checks. Initially, the program was utilized with the assistance of a user guide to facilitate its operation and provide a detailed description of each program feature which can provide effective decision-making and enhance REOs' computer skills.

Construction companies frequently struggle with poor cash flow management of their projects. Financial terms, including retainage, advance payments, and interest rates, significantly impact the project’s cash flow. This study investigates the financial aspects of projects with close beginnings. In addition, considers how to deal with financial deficits by suggesting a multi-project scheduling optimization model to minimize maximum negative cash flow while maintaining maximum profit. Sequential quadratic programming algorithms (SQP) generate workable schedules that optimally use available resources. Several scenarios have been used to test and examine the model. The outcomes indicate a decrease in negative cash flow for company 1 from (-1,852,096) to (-1,817,485) and for company 2 from (-484,524) to (-459,769) in scenario 1. Furthermore, a decrease in negative cash flow to (-1,661,660) alongside a profit of (776,593) for company 1 and a decrease to (-434,970) alongside a profit of (141,228) for company 2 in scenario 2. On the other hand, a decrease in negative cash flow to (-1,698,992) alongside a profit of (786,243) for company 1 and a decrease to (-370,815) alongside a profit of (209,363) for company 2 in scenario 3.

The purpose of this study is aimed to lay down an arranged platform suited to Iraqi constructional associations which in charge to carry out multi constructional projects, as it fulfilled management requirements and supervising, so that low - cost projects will be controlled in due term and quality. Based on primary info and observed data collected, the study thesis has been formulated in this way: Iraqi constructional sector bodies which are in charge to implement simultaneously multi constructional projects in need to reformulate its organized structure so that it will be more fitted to management and control of these projects. This thesis includes a theoretical part contained presenting the most important resources locally and internationally where it has direct relation with this study subject. Also it touches on the arrangement term and the kinds of organized structure of the multi constructional projects and control it. And its field part included in its first section studying the organized structure and functional arrangement practised in one of the Iraqi constructional projects. in charge of implemented simultaneously multi construction and exposing the defection of this arrangement. The second section of this study included reviewing the organized structure used by some of constructed corporations and foreign companies of implementing multi constructional projects .Thus, the deficiency points of the organized structure and the arrangement followed in Iraqi conduction sectors recognized and what it causes of control defections in the limitation of these projects. The deficiency points have been solved by developing a proposed system of the organized structure to administering and controlling of the multi constructional projects. The implementation of these projects have been controlled from its draw phase and passing the design phase and reference and implementation phase till the first deliver.

The main objective of resources management is to supply and support the site operation with necessary resources in a way to achieve the required timing in handing over the work as well as to achieve the cost-realism within the budget estimated. The research aims to know the advantage of using GIS in management of resources as one of the new tools that keep pace with the evolution in various countries around the world also collect the vast amount of spatial data resources in one environment easily to handled and accessed quickly and this help to make the right decision regarding management of resources in various construction projects. The process of using GIS in the management and identification of resources is of extreme importance in the process of planning, programming, management and cost of resources and therefore a scientific follow-up cost and time to projects construction different as that fact indicates an urgent need to use new tools to help the process of projects within clear curriculum and assess the benefit of those Tools according to what is available in the same field As a result of the steps used in the application of research methodology it has been achieved to prove the benefit of using geographic information systems for better management and resource planning for various projects which help to reduce the duration of the project and help Italy national on the speed-up the execution and provides a new environment for the management of the vast quantity of spatial data in one place which make it easy to handle and to update. It is therefore necessary to develop a culture of management of construction projects and take advantage of the methods and techniques and modern ways in an attempt to catch up with progress in the field of Construction in the world

Cash is one of the most critical resources of a construction company that determines survival. Cash-flow management is essential for contractors, as lack of cash resources is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy in the construction industry, compared to most other sectors. The purpose of this paper is to identify factors affecting time and cost trade-off in multiple construction projects in Iraq. After reviewing a wide range of literature to determine the most common elements, a questionnaire is distributed to owners, consultants, supervising engineers, and contractors engaged in construction projects. The results of the questionnaire were analyzed using the relative importance index, arithmetic mean and standard deviation. The respondents namely assured Seventeen most essential factors; payments delay from client, progress payment due period, payment conditions, advanced payment, project delay, inaccurate project scheduling, variation orders, project duration, inaccurate project duration, profit, risk margin, project cost, cash flow forecasts, retentions percentage, estimating errors, materials cost, equipment cost, and labour cost.

Delays and disruption are a common issue in both community and personal building programs The problem exists all throughout the world, but it is particularly prevalent in Iraq, where millions of dollars are squandered each time as a outcome. Delays and interruptions may have serious consequences not just for Iraq's construction plans, but also for the country's economic and social status. While numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the factors driving delays and disruption in Iraqi construction projects, slight consideration has been given to by what means project management implements and approaches have affected the occurrence of project delays and disruption. After analyzing the crucial reasons for delays and instability in public and private construction projects in Iraq, this paper aims to improve the recording and recommendations using Project Supervision concepts. A thorough investigation was conducted to identify the critical factors that are causing delays and disruptions in construction projects in Iraq's public and private sectors and present project management application procedures in order to establish recommendations to successfully reduce work disruptions and instability in Iraq This paper identifies the top crucial factors contributing to construction project delays and disruptions in Iraq. It further identifies project management Tools and techniques that, when used appropriately, have the potential to address the major causes of delays and interruptions. Following that, a new set of guidelines for applying Project Management methodologies and strategies to address the identified delay and disruption issues is provided, with the objective of aiding practitioners in minimizing the possibility for construction delays and interruption in Iraqi projects.

Construction contractors usually undertake multiple construction projects simultaneously. Such a situation involves sharing different types of resources, including monetary, equipment, and manpower, which may become a major challenge in many cases. In this study, the financial aspects of working on multiple projects at a time are addressed and investigated. The study considers dealing with financial shortages by proposing a multi-project scheduling optimization model for profit maximization, while minimizing the total project duration. Optimization genetic algorithm and finance-based scheduling are used to produce feasible schedules that balance the finance of activities at any time with the available funds. The model has been tested in multi scenarios, and the results are analyzed. The results show that negative cash flow is minimized from −693,784 to −634,514 in enterprise I and from −2,646,408 to −2,529,324 in enterprise II in the first scenario and also results show that negative cash flow is minimized to −612,768 with a profit of +200,116 in enterprise I and to −2,597,290 with a profit of +1,537,632 in enterprise II in the second scenario.

Abstract Decentralization is a democratic practice in which the Government allows ministries, governorates and districts to delegate their powers within the law. This is done in two parts: the first is the decentralization of the operational budget and the second the decentralization of the investment budget. This study aims to draw up a strategy and plan for decentralization in the governorates after the transfer of powers from the ministries. The researcher seeks to discover the success or failure of applying this idea and the importance of modern construction projects in the study of decentralization in these ministries in selected governorates. Transfer of powers This research is very important through the selection and timing, and is important in that this study is the first to target the impact of decentralization on the performance of construction projects. Despite the existence of previous studies and research on administrative decentralization, it did not address the impact of decentralization and its role in the process of implementation and completion of projects. The research methodology was divided into two parts, theoretical work and fieldwork. The researcher concluded that there is a need for decentralization in particularly in the governorates far from the central government. However, these conditions are subject to limitations and restrictions. They can only be applied after studying the presence of human cadres and providing expertise that deals with post-transfer jobs. The absence of Iraqi government legislation in this area and even if we assume there are laws, they have not been applied so far about the system of decentralization in Iraq in its entirety.

According to Order Number 87 of 2004 which had been issued by Dissolved Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, the Ministry of Planning MoP in the Iraqi Government started its efforts toward enhancing and developing the federal level of Public Procurement System by issuing a stream of procedures to the contractual entities (Standard Bidding Documents SBDs, procurement Planning Forms, Performance Indicators, Guide of Archiving Process… etc.). The financial crises which hit the international economy and the noted reduction in crude oil prices and the war against ISIS on the local level reflected an obvious shortage in funding process to the implementation of the project to the very minimums. At 2018 the Iraqi government allocated more funds to compensate the shortage in initial services projects at a time when the SBDs became mandatory to apply by all the public contractual entities, as a result, the local contractors were not able to meet the standard requirements and criteria of a modern experiment in the bidding process which led to more delay by re-announcing these projects. This research is to determine if the Iraqi contractual environment can be considered as healthy and supportive for the SBDs or not? Nine evaluation criteria for the SBDs projects were listed in the questionnaire targeted 100 private sector respondents and 130 public contractual entities, the mean comparison and relative important index RII were used to rank and match respondent agreement on assessing the importance mentioned criteria evaluation. The findings indicated that all respondents had agreed on ranking the average of annual revenues and financial liquidity as the top hurdles that need to be considered by MoP to ensure the success of the SBDs system.

A Feasibility studies include recognizing and analyzing the power and the flaws of the project, in conjunction, also defining the chance and intimidations external the company within the construction industry. There are a number of problems of the feasibility study as it regards overlooked part in Iraqi construction industry and the problems of feasibility studies abuses. Misinterpretation of study stages and also having incorrect idea of the goal of the feasibility studies. Other factors that affect directly and negatively in the Iraqi industry such as delay, cost, and other issues that affect quality of the construction projects The aim of this paper Assess the awareness level of the feasibility study in construction projects and to determine the effects of feasibility study in construction industry and to identify the causes of abuses of feasibility study in construction industry. The methodology of the paper includes survey and formulation of the questionnaire to identify the factor the cause the feasibility study to fail and then use system dynamic to analysis the impact of these factors. The results show that the feasibility study is neglected part in Iraqi construction project due to the fact that its neglected, the were abuse in use the abuse of the feasibility study lead to cost and time over runs, and system dynamic technique approved to be a significant in the analysis of the impact of the.

Construction projects in nature, carry a lot of risks, and unpredictable conditions. Thus, flexible management is required for the purpose of efficient responding to the various changes appear during their implementation. As an attempt to deal with risk in the construction project, this research aims at proposing a risk management framework in construction projects that built based on Agile management concept, which is a sequence of procedure deals with the project’ primary vision to its final delivery. The risk management framework will trace alignment and discover a contact between Agile and traditional project management concepts and find contact points among two of the more used Agile frameworks (Scrum) and one of the more confirmed project management framework (PMBOK®) processes. This will result in a recognition of comparable areas between Scrum and PMBOK® processes. The goal of the framework is to assist the project managers to adapt a more flexible approach to managing and implementing the construction project. The results proved that Agile management process from the create prioritized project backlog, sprint planning, sprint review, to sprint retrospective procedures and less time of the cycle, eliminate or mitigate many risks that lead to project challenges and failure.

failure to reconcile goals of the construction process is one of the main problems faced by the projects, where the delay in completing any phase of the project or completion of the entire project considers is the most important problems. This problem is suffered by all countries in the world, especially Iraq because of the negative impact of delay on the goals of the construction project. aim of this study is to propose appropriate procedures to address the problem of delay in the construction projects of Iraq based on the principles of Agile construction management related to reducing delay. Therefore, the researcher reviewed the relevant literature to identify the key factors causes the delay. Then interviews with experts have been conducted to achieve the study aim. results of this study were identified eleven principles of Agile construction management can by it reduce the delay in Iraqi construction projects. As well as twenty-five procedures to reduce delay has been proposed in the Planning and Design phase and the most important is The use of advanced programs and modern methods in the preparation of designs such as the use of engineering programs those operating according to the building information modeling methodology (BIM)''. Moreover, twenty-three procedures to reduce delay has been proposed in the Contracting phase, the most important of it is Put an item in the contract document obliging the employer not to delay the contractor's payments''. In additional, twenty-nine procedures to reduce delay has been proposed in the Construction phase, the most important of it is Entering of a partner to contribute to finance or borrow from banks to cover work expenses in case of lack of financial capacity .

In project management there has been a shift from traditional project management to the Agile Project Management (APM) style. The proposed Agile Quality Management Framework in Construction Projects will be built as a sequence of procedure that deals with a project from primary vision of project to the final delivery of project, will trace alignment and discover a contact between Agile and Traditional Project Management (TPM) concepts and find contact points among two of the more used Agile frameworks (scrum) and one of the more confirmed Project Management framework (PMBOK®) processes. This will result in a recognition of comparable areas between scrum and PMBOK® processes. Agile quality Management Framework is a new agile framework that covers the whole project lifecycle. The goal of the framework is to assist the project managers to adapt a more flexible approach to managing and implementing the construction project. The findings arrive that the agile project management using the Scrum methodology profits effectiveness procedures and a lower duration of process, ensuring value of quality planning and control inputs.  Â

The avoidance of failure in construction projects is not an easy task, which makes the failure of the construction project to achieve its objectives a major problem experienced by all countries in the world, especially Iraq. Where nearly two-thirds of the construction projects in the world have been suffered by significant problems as an increase in the cost of the project, delay in the specified duration for execution, and stopping the project. Therefore it is required to study and apply new methods for managing the construction project to ensure its success and achieve its objectives. The aim of this study is to study the Agile project management method and its impact on the construction project. In addition, to identify the values and principles of Agile project management, which can be applied in the Iraqi construction industry to be adopted it as a new method to manage the construction projects in Iraq. The researcher reviewed the relevant literature to define the method of Agile project management and its methods and impact on the construction project. Then, the researcher conducted a questionnaire survey of a sample of engineers' experts who work in four main parties in the construction project: (beneficiary, supervising, designer, and contractor). The results of this survey showed that it is possible to apply the four values of Agile project management for managing the Iraqi construction projects, and can apply eleven of the twelve principles of Agile project management for managing the Iraqi construction projects.

Delays in of construction projects is a problem, suffered by all construction projects in the world, and this problem is very large in Iraq, where a very small percentage of the construction projects were completed within the contractual period and especially in the last period due to circumstances experienced by the country, and this led to negative effects on the society and on the economic side of the country. This study aims to identify the key factors that cause delays in the construction projects, to achieve this goal has been studied the problem of delay in a six construction projects in Iraq and hold interviews with a group of engineers working experts in the competent departments of construction projects in Iraq. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted to groups of engineers who have an experience in the construction industry for identifying the key causative factors of delay. The results of this study identified forty-eight key factor causes the delay in the construction projects of Iraq, where the factor of lack the financial capacity of the contractor during the execution having the most effect on the occurrence the delay and followed by other factors. The benefit of identifying the causative factors for the delay is to provide a database for decision-makers for managing time well by taking effective measures to reduce delays in the construction projects.