Understanding the status quo of consultant selection in Sri Lankan Public construction projects

Abstract

Consultant selection is a critical aspect of public construction procurement, as consultants significantly influence project performance in terms of cost, time, quality and risk management. In Sri Lanka, consultant selection methods for public construction projects in governed by national procurement guidelines. However, concerns remain regarding their practice application. This study examines the status quo of consultant selection practices in Sri Lankan public construction projects, with a focus on decision making approaches and commonly used consultant selection methods. A mixed methods approach was adopted, comprising a structured questionnaire survey administered to 52 construction professionals including quantity surveyors, engineers and architects who were directly involved in consultant selection decisions in public and institutionally funded projects. Quantitative data were analysed using mean ranking to identify dominant consultant selection methods, while content analysis was applied to qualitative responses to identify key challenges and suggested improvements. The findings reveal that consultant selection decisions are largely experience-based and guideline driven, with limited use of systematic decision-making models. The results indicate that Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) is the most widely used method in both government-funded and institutionally funded projects. Key challenges include the absence of structured decision-making frameworks, overemphasis on cost, lack of standardised evaluation criteria, and subjectivity in selection. Respondents recommended formal decision support models, standardised criteria, and performance-based monitoring to improve effectiveness, highlighting the need for more systematic consultant selection practice in Sri Lanka.