Ranked generic criteria for EPC contractor selection

Purpose The purpose of this study was to prioritize the appropriate generic contractor selection criteria for Engineering–Procurement–Construction (EPC) projects in construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Proceeding from a review previous studies and validation by small group experts, preliminary set 16 first identified. This followed three rounds Delphi surveys: firstly, with 64 experienced participants confirming relevance criteria; secondly, reduced subgroup 47 more scoring importance each; finally, providing opportunity these revise their scores light knowing aggregated results round. Findings show consensus view, which most important are ranked as past performance, project understanding, technical attributes, key personnel, health safety, experience, time, management, financial, contractual legal, quality, cost, relationships, environmental sustainability, organizational industrial relations, geographic location. Originality/value findings useful both practitioners academics making significant contribution body knowledge EPC process. will assist better understanding pave way developing an model involving needed objectively identify potential contractors evaluate tenders.