Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering

Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering

Evaluation of key performance indicators in engineering execution of gas distribution network projects using the fuzzy best-worst approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Ammar Rostami Najafabadi
Mehrdad Nikbakht
Atefeh Amindoust
Mahdi Karbasian
Department of Industrial Engineering, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
Abstract
Nowadays, the role of gas industry projects in the economic development cycle of a country is significant as one of the major sources of revenue and ensures important energy resources for optimal and purposeful management in the execution of gas distribution network projects. Given the importance of executing such projects, this study aims to evaluate the key engineering performance indicators in gas distribution network projects using a fuzzy multi-criteria approach. For this purpose, 36 experts and specialists in the gas industry were selected. The research methodology is descriptive, analytical, and survey-based, utilizing both library and field studies, with the tools including a researcher-made questionnaire, the Lawshe method, the fuzzy best-worst (FBWM) multi-criteria decision-making method, and LINGO software. The results indicate that, out of 48 effective engineering execution indicators, 19 indicators were identified as key and influential based on the CVI index calculations. According to the findings, the fuzzy best-worst method revealed that the “quality of contractor's execution (competent and skilled contractor)” with a weight of 0.077 is identified as the best (most important) indicator, while the “duration of obtaining permits and completing legal and regulatory processes” with a weight of 0.014 is identified as the worst (least important) indicator.
Keywords
Natural gas
Gas distribution networks
key engineering execution indicators
Lawshe method
Fuzzy best-worst method (FBWM)
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 05 July 2023
  • Revise Date 07 November 2023
  • Accept Date 14 February 2024