Key Performance Indicators for Project Management Performance of Large Contractors in Developing Countries: A Case Study in Vietnam

In order to deal with severe competition in the construction market of developing countries, large contractors must continually improve their own performance and operation. Performance measurement is the heart of ceaseless improvement in organizations. Key performance indicators (KPIs) play a key role in measuring project management performance (PMP) of large contractors in developing countries. The main objective of this paper is to identify KPIs, which can be used to measure PMP of contractors, and then analyze the underlying relationships of these KPIs in order to gain insight into PMP of large construction firms in Vietnam construction industry (VCI). Literature reviews and the pilot survey provided 30 KPIs. Fourteen KPIs, which have the mean values higher than 3.0, were considered as important KPIs through a questionnaire survey of 32 professionals. Factor analysis of these KPIs was employed to categorize them. The results of the survey revealed that top six KPIs are construction time and cost, owner satisfaction on services and products, and quality management and project team performance. Factor analysis uncovered that 14 top-ranked KPIs can be grouped under six categories, namely: (1) construction input management, (2) owner satisfaction, (3) cost and quality, (4) manpower management, (5) subcontractor performance and (6) equipment management. The findings of this research can be used as a guideline to measure PMP of contractors in Vietnam as well as in other developing countries. Since contractors from a country to the other country may have the same manner to manage construction projects, the results of this study may be useful not only to practitioners and researchers in Vietnam but also to participants in other developing countries.