Critical Success Factors for Sustainable Construction Project Management in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has spurred an unprecedented construction boom, with numerous mega-projects aiming to redefine urban living and economic diversification. Amidst this rapid development, ensuring sustainable construction project management is crucial. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering identifies and evaluates the critical success factors (CSFs) essential for achieving sustainability in Saudi Arabia's construction sector.
The research highlights that sustainable construction project management in Saudi Arabia faces unique challenges, encompassing the entire project lifecycle from design to completion. Through an extensive literature review, 24 CSFs were initially identified. These factors were then rigorously assessed by industry experts using a Likert scale, and further analyzed using the Relative Importance Index (RII) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).
The study categorized these CSFs into five key groups: human resources and stakeholder requirements, sustainable project delivery and stakeholder engagement, strategic planning and alignment, project management practices and leadership, and compliance and governance. The findings underscore the importance of adopting modern tools and processes to overcome challenges and enhance project outcomes. Five paramount CSFs were identified:
1 Effective Strategic Planning: A clear, well-defined strategic roadmap is fundamental for integrating sustainability goals into project objectives.
2 Adherence to Anti-Corruption Measures: Ethical practices and transparency are vital for ensuring fair resource allocation and project integrity, which are cornerstones of sustainability.
3 Efficient Resource Allocation: Optimizing the use of materials, energy, and water throughout the project lifecycle minimizes waste and environmental impact.
4 Project Managers' Expertise: Skilled and knowledgeable project managers are essential for navigating the complexities of sustainable construction and implementing best practices.
5 Robust Policy Enforcement: Strong regulatory frameworks and their consistent application are necessary to ensure compliance with environmental and social standards.
This research provides a structured framework for evaluating CSFs and offers practical insights for stakeholders to promote sustainability within Saudi Arabia's construction sector. By focusing on these critical factors, mega-projects can contribute significantly to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals of sustainable development and a diversified economy.
Key Sustainability Aspects:
• Holistic Project Lifecycle Management: Integrating sustainability from initial design to project completion.
• Resource Efficiency: Minimizing consumption of materials, energy, and water.
• Ethical Governance: Ensuring transparency and anti-corruption practices for sustainable outcomes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Involving all relevant parties to foster a shared commitment to sustainability.
Statistical Figure: Top 5 Critical Success Factors for Sustainable Construction
| Rank | Critical Success Factor |
|---|---|
| 1 | Effective Strategic Planning |
| 2 | Adherence to Anti-Corruption Measures |
| 3 | Efficient Resource Allocation |
| 4 | Project Managers' Expertise |
| 5 | Robust Policy Enforcement |
References1 Alghuried, A. (2025). Assessing the critical success factors for the sustainable construction project management of Saudi Arabia. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.24546162 Silvius, G., & Schipper, R. (2014). Sustainability in Project Management: A Literature Review and Impact Analysis. Social Business, 4(1), 63–96. (Cited by 200+)3 Yamany, M. S., Abdelhameed, A., Elbeltagi, E., & Mohamed, H. A. E. (2024). Critical Success Factors of Infrastructure Construction Projects. Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, 9(4), 95. (Cited by 10+)