An internet-based decision support system for healthcare project appraisal: A conceptual proposal

This paper presents an internet-based decision support system (DSS) conceptual proposal for the appraisal stage of healthcare construction projects. The underlying philosophy of the approach is to integrate architectural space programming and costestimating processes with a risk assessment approach in order to obtain a more accurate inception cost estimate of the healthcare project along with its preliminary space program outline. The system's main objectives focus on assisting decision makers in the United Arab Emirates in examining different space program alternatives with their associated capital budgets. In addition, the system will assist in reflecting associated risk factors and affecting budget approval decisions in their inception stage. The Internet is utilized as a mechanism for communicating and updating project data and cost information. This paper describes a conceptual design proposal for the system and the proposed strategy for its design and construction.