Optimised Selection and use of Project Procurement Strategy in Nigeria: A Case from Practise

Abstract

Decision based selection process is one of the methods developed to assist procuring clients globally in overcoming the difficulty associated with procurement strategy selection due to competing advantages. While it is increasingly being used in other parts of the world for optimal result, it is not very popular in Nigeria. There is an increasing recourse to the use of one or two procurement strategy based on familiarity for all project circumstances and the outcome is poor performance witnessed in most public and private sector projects. This paper demonstrate the use of decision matrix in appraising a private sector client’s procurement need with a view to select most appropriate procurement strategies to deliver its development needs. It is a report of an action research involving a focus group discussion of key stakeholders in the project selected using convenience sampling. The study was conducted in Akwa Ibom State, south-south Nigeria. Like every other procurement selection exercise, the process adopt in-depth construction industry tested parameters for appraising and advising on the most suitable procurement strategy based on eight project success criteria. The project organisation accepted both the innovation to adopt the process for change and the product of change. The study provides a structured decision based model for improving procurement selection process and eliminating the problems associated with poor project performance in the construction industry in the country.

Key words: Decision matrix, Nigeria, procurement strategy, partnering, selection, success criteria