A fuzzy quality function deployment system for buildable design decision-makings

During the conceptual stage of a building design, major design decisions that have the greatest influence on buildability of a project are taken. Quality function deployment (QFD) is an integrated decision-making methodology that can assure and improve the alignment of elements of design and construction processes with the requirements of customers. On the basis of the enlarged customer concept, QFD has the potential to be developed as a quantitative approach for buildability evaluation. This paper presents the findings of a research effort to adapt House of Quality (HOQ) to meet the needs of buildable designs in the construction industry and to develop a fuzzy QFD system for buildability evaluation. In this system, the fuzzy set theory is integrated into HOQ to capture the inherent impreciseness and vagueness of design-relevant inputs and facilitate the analysis of design-relevant QFD information. An example is presented to illustrate the system, which provides a viable decision-making method for quantitative buildability evaluation at the early design phase.