Predicting and evaluating construction trades foremen performance: Fuzzy logic approach

This research studies the use of fuzzy expert system to predict and evaluate the construction trade foremen performance. Supported by the job description developed by the Construction Owners Association of Alberta and an extensive literature review, the prediction and evaluation of performance was divided in six categories.;Factors impacting the construction trade foreman performance were identified. A fuzzy expert system consist of membership functions, a fuzzy rule base containing If-Then rules, a fuzzy inference system, and a defuzzification module, was generated for the model. The model was validated and tested (e.g., sensitivity analysis) to improve its accuracy, and validated using data collected through self-responded questionnaires. The model presented high numeric accuracy.;The study demonstrates the use of fuzzy expert system in predicting and evaluating the construction trades foreman performance, given limited data and a large number of input factors. It also opened new horizons in this area of research. To explore new possibilities in measuring performance some recommendations were made and should be considered in near future research.