Developing an improved process model for forensic analysis of construction project delays

Forensic Delay Analysis (FDA) is an activity of specialists in extracting, presenting evidence to contractual claims, disputes that relate to project delays. The most frequently stated problems with FDA are the time-consuming, costly tasks of information retrieval, confusing multiplicity of delay analysis methods, and difficulty of presenting complex evidence. There is a growing body of literature that recognises the importance of Building Information Modelling (BIM) or Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing the above problems; however, their integrated approach within FDA has been under-researched. This project has two primary purposes: a) to explore the impact of an integrated approach within FDA, and b) to propose an improved FDA process model. The approach consists of three stages: i. preparing a descriptive model of the current process, ii. designing an improved, prescriptive model under the guidance of the protocols, and iii. transforming it into a working, normative model based on real-world project workflows and emerging advances. The findings show that introducing an improved process model will supplement, inform existing FDA activities, and enhance the current process.